NHSBBQA Education Foundation - OUR PURPOSE

nhsbbqa Education Foundation

Supporting Students. Empowering Teachers. Expanding and Igniting Opportunity Through Education, Live-Fire Learning, and Barbecue

The NHSBBQA Education Foundation exists to support students through education-first, workforce-aligned learning experiences rooted in barbecue, live-fire cooking, and Career & Technical Education (CTE).

Established as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Foundation’s purpose is to remove financial barriers, expand access to hands-on educational opportunities, and invest in the next generation of skilled professionals, leaders, and entrepreneurs.

Barbecue is more than food—it is a classroom, a career pathway, and a powerful tool for teaching responsibility, craftsmanship, teamwork, and perseverance.

Why We Exist

Across the country, students discover confidence and purpose when learning becomes real, tangible, and applied. The BBQ Education Foundation exists to ensure that every student—regardless of background or resources—can access these opportunities.

Through charitable support, we help students:

• Pursue educational and career pathways in culinary arts, hospitality, agriculture, food science, and skilled trades

• Develop real-world skills through project-based, experiential learning

• Gain recognition for educational achievement, leadership, and craftsmanship

• Access tools, equipment, training, and certifications that prepare them for life beyond the classroom

What We Support

The Foundation supports charitable and educational initiatives including:

Scholarships & Educational Awards

Providing merit-based and need-based scholarships that help students continue their education, earn certifications, and pursue workforce opportunities.

Educational Resources & Equipment

Funding instructional tools, safety equipment, and learning resources that allow students to participate in hands-on, live-fire education safely and responsibly.

‍ Workforce & Career Readiness

Supporting programs that connect education to real careers, emphasizing professionalism, leadership, and technical competence.

Student Recognition

Honoring students for educational excellence, craftsmanship, leadership, and personal growth—aligned with objective, nondiscriminatory criteria.

How We Operate

The BBQ Education Foundation operates with strong governance, transparency, and accountability.

• All charitable funds are administered independently by the Foundation

• Scholarships and awards are granted using objective, nondiscriminatory criteria

• Funds are distributed in accordance with IRS regulations and best practices

• The Foundation is governed by an independent Board of Directors and formal committees

Our focus is always on education, access, and student impact.

Our Relationship to NHSBBQA®

The NHSBBQA BBQ Education Foundation is a separate legal entity from the National High School BBQ Association® (NHSBBQA®).

While NHSBBQA® operates leagues, competitions, curriculum, and educational programming, all charitable donations, scholarships, and educational awards are administered solely by the Foundation in accordance with nonprofit law.

This separation ensures:

• Donor clarity

• IRS compliance

• Ethical stewardship of charitable funds

Our Commitment

We are committed to:

• Equity in access to education

• Integrity and transparency in how funds are used

• Student-first decision making

• Building pathways from classroom to career

When students are given opportunity, mentorship, and the tools to succeed, they rise—and communities are strengthened in the process.

Join Us in Supporting Student Futures

Whether you are a donor, educator, sponsor, or community partner, your support helps ignite confidence, skills, and opportunity through education.

Support the BBQ Education Foundation
Explore Scholarships & Awards

STUDENTS • TEACHERS • SCHOOLS

│

│

┌───────────────────────┴───────────────────────┐

│ │

┌──────────────────────────┐ ┌──────────────────────────┐

│ BBQ EDUCATION FOUNDATION │ │ NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL BBQ │

│ Non Profit │ │ ASSOCIATION® (NHSBBQA®) │

│ │ │ Texas S-Corporation │

│ • Scholarships │ │ │

│ • School & teacher grants │ │ • Programs & curriculum │

│ • Equipment assistance │ │ • Competitions & events │

│ • Educational access │ │ • School charters │

│ • Workforce opportunity │ │ • Safety & standards │

│ │ │ │

│ Independent Board │ │ Board & Executive Team │

│ Separate finances │ │ Licensing & governance │

└──────────────────────────┘ └──────────────────────────┘

│ │

└─────────────── Mission-Aligned ──────────────────┘

(No shared control • No commingled funds)

SCHOOL & DISTRICT ASSURANCE STATEMENT

Participation in National High School BBQ Association® programs is never contingent upon fundraising, donations, or engagement with the BBQ Education Foundation.

All instructional decisions remain under the authority of schools and districts.

NHSBBQA Education Foundation
is the public-facing name of the BBQ Education Foundation,
a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN - 41-2464833 dedicated to advancing
youth culinary education, live-fire learning, and career pathways
through the National High School BBQ Association® ecosystem.

Legal Notice
The NHSBBQA BBQ Education Foundation is a separate legal entity from the National High School BBQ Association® (NHSBBQA®).
Donations made on this page support the Foundation’s charitable mission and are not payments to NHSBBQA®.