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Jimmie Johnson Foundation announces Helmet of Hope grants

Jimmie Johnson

NASCAR driver Jimmie Johnson smiles during Daytona 500 Media Day at Daytona International Speedway on February 12, 2020, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

TNS via Getty Images

The Jimmie Johnson Foundation on Tuesday unveiled this year’s recipients of its Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope grants.

The five $25,000 grants are typically awarded to not-for-profit (501c3) organizations that support K-12 public education

This year, the nomination process was expanded to include non-profits that have been directly impacted by the COVID-19 public health crisis.

More than 223,000 votes were cast for the 10 semi-finalists during the voting period.

In addition to a $25,000 grant, each of the five recipient organizations will receive a Blue Bunny Ice Cream party and special recognition on Johnson’s race helmet during a NASCAR Cup race this season. To date, the Blue Bunny Helmet of Hope program has contributed more than $1.3 million to 121 different charities.

“There are so many deserving organizations and now more than ever, they need our help,” Johnson said in a press release. “These grants are one small way we can help make a difference. (Wife) Chani and I appreciate the partnership that we have had with Blue Bunny over the years. This program has not only brought some needed funding to various organizations but a little recognition as well, with their names on my helmet. It’s also brought a little fun, because, let’s be honest, who doesn’t love an ice cream party?”

The five grant recipients are:


  • DMF Youth, Inc. (New York City): Teaches underserved youth the life skills needed to thrive in and out of the classroom by providing free after-school and summer programming to youth attending Title 1 Schools and youth living in homeless shelters.
  • Foodbank of Siouxland (Sioux City, Iowa): Ensures that food is easily accessible to students and families in need through their BackPack Program: Food for Kids, and their Mobile School Pantry: Food for Families.
  • National Mental Health Association of Georgia (Atlanta, Georgia) Kids on the Block (KOTB): An educational puppetry program that uses life-sized, multicultural puppets to promote mental wellness for children.
  • TABLE, Inc. (Carrboro, North Carolina): Committed to delivering healthy food and providing nutrition education to food-insecure children living in Orange County, N.C.
  • Working in the Schools (Chicago, Illinois): Sets students on a trajectory for long-term success by building critical literacy skills and developing positive self-identity through volunteer-powered mentorship programs and teacher-led literacy professional development.