Skip to content
Sign In Donate
Business — Papa Johns — 804 Coaches for Change — Sports Backers — The Youth Business Exchange — Sports — PJ Cheese, Inc.

Papa Johns foundation donates $15,000 to Metro Richmond youth organizations

,   and  Citizen Staff Reports
2 min read
The Youth Business Exchange (Contributed photo)

Table of Contents

Three Metro Richmond organizations will receive a funding boost thanks to a $15,000 grant from the Papa Johns Foundation for Building Community and the company's local franchisee, PJ Cheese, Inc. Funding will support the organizations' work in youth leadership and entrepreneurship programs.

Each organization – 804 Coaches for Change, Sports Backers ALL STARS, and The Youth Business Exchange – will receive $5,000. The funds were raised through Papa Johns' Shaq-a-Roni pizza sales, with $1 from each sale going to the Foundation.

“We are pleased to be able to nominate the organizations based on their outstanding and impactful youth leadership and entrepreneurship programs and events," said Judiann Hawkins, marketing manager for PJ Cheese, Inc. "I encourage the Richmond and surrounding area residents and businesses to learn more about these amazing organizations in their community.”

The Building Community Fund, launched in 2021, has invested nearly $5.5 million in local organizations in our franchisees’ communities.

804 Coaches for Change (contributed photo)

Stephen Lewis, vice president of 804 Coaches for Change, a first-time recipient of the grant, expressed gratitude for the funding.

"The funds will be used to continue to provide Richmond's youth unique athletic-based programming that goes beyond the Xs and Os, helping students develop off the playing surface as well as on it," said Lewis. "Our goal is to continue to make Richmond a better place and bring the community together with each of our events, and this grant will go a long way in helping us achieve our goals."

Sports Backers ALL STARS (Contributed photo)

Jacki Quinlan, director of youth programs at Sports Backers ALL STARS, another first-time recipient, will use the grant for student scholarships and program support.

“We are so grateful to be selected by the Papa Johns Foundation to receive a grant from the Building Community Fund," said Quinlan. "Sports Backers’ Active Living Leadership ALL Stars program cultivates future leaders by providing local student-athletes with educational experiences, mentorship and hands-on opportunities during their senior year of High School."

The Youth Business Exchange, a second-year recipient, will use the funds to support the Richmond Children’s Business Fair.

“We really appreciate the Papa John’s Foundation for awarding us the Building Community Grant for the second year in a row," said Kerwyn Phillip. "It’s an honor to be recognized for the work we do to support youth entrepreneurs."

PJ Cheese, Inc., affiliated with PJ United, Inc. (the largest franchise group of Papa John’s International), has more than 200 locations across multiple states, including 21 in the Central Virginia and Richmond region. Since 2024, Papa John's of Central Virginia has donated more than $200,000 to local schools, nonprofits, and youth athletic leagues.