Turnstone gets $10,000 from Kentucky Fried Wish

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (ADAMS) – The KFC Foundation is giving back to Fort Wayne-based non-profit Turnstone Center with a $10,000 grant to make a project on their wish list come true.

Turnstone provides comprehensive programs and services for children and adults with disabilities.

Kentucky Fried Wishes, one of the KFC Foundation’s community giving programs, invites non-profit organizations to apply for a grant to fund a project on their wish list.

Turnstone released the following:

This year, the KFC Foundation will fund $1 million in Kentucky Fried Wishes to 100 non-profits nationwide, with 25 grants awarded quarterly based on different project categories.

“We are so grateful to the KFC Foundation for this generous Kentucky Fried Wishes grant, which will help our organization update our accessible playground to ensure an inclusive, stimulating, and safe outdoor environment for the children enrolled in the Kimbrough Early Learning Center,” said Mike Mushett, CEO of Turnstone Center.

Turnstone’s inclusive Kimbrough Early Learning Center (KELC) serves children aged 2 to 5 with and without disabilities. Its facility features a multi-use adaptive playground that was last updated 10 years ago. The funds from the KFC Foundation will fund updates and enhancements to the outdoor environment. These updates will include safety surfacing, adaptive swings, fresh sand, trikes, and an outdoor classroom with various interactive elements such as a discovery table, mud kitchen, and water and sand table. These improvements will foster experiential learning, creativity, and inclusive play, promoting cognitive, social-emotional development, and physical activity. By creating an accessible and engaging space, KELC will continue in its role as a leader in inclusive early education and serve as a model for other early learning centers.

“As the KFC Foundation celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, we are thrilled to grant 100 Kentucky Fried Wishes totaling one million dollars this year,” said Emma Horn, Executive Director, KFC Foundation. “We’re proud to support these non-profits in furthering their missions and grateful for all they do to make a difference in their communities.”

Kentucky Fried Wishes is just one way the KFC Foundation supports, empowers, and serves joy to KFC restaurant employees and communities. The KFC Foundation also provides programs focused on education, financial, and hardship assistance for KFC restaurant employees, and a food donation program to fight hunger and food waste.

The KFC Foundation receives financial support from Round Up fundraising and its annual donation program, a voluntary program where KFC franchisees donate to the KFC Foundation every time they order a case of Secret Recipe Fries.The next grant cycle for Kentucky Fried Wishes is running from July 15-31 with a focus on expanding access to food and shelter. Non-profit organizations seeking funding for a project within that scope can learn more and apply for a grant at kfcfoundation.org/wishes.