The BBQ Education Foundation is committed to operating with openness, integrity, and accountability in all aspects of our charitable and educational work.
Transparency is essential to earning and maintaining the trust of students, families, educators, donors, sponsors, and community partners. We believe that every dollar entrusted to the Foundation should be managed responsibly and aligned with our mission to support education and student success.
The Foundation is guided by the following principles:
Clear charitable purpose
Responsible financial stewardship
Independent governance and oversight
Ethical decision-making
Compliance with all applicable nonprofit laws and regulations
We strive to make information about our mission, governance, and use of funds accessible and understandable.
The BBQ Education Foundation is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as a 501(c)(3) public charity.
Contributions may be tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law
Official IRS determination documentation is available for review
View IRS Determination & Tax-Exempt Status
Charitable funds received by the Foundation are used exclusively for educational and charitable purposes, including:
Student scholarships and educational awards
Instructional resources, tools, and safety equipment
Workforce readiness and certification support
Approved educational travel and learning experiences
The Foundation maintains accurate financial records and follows written policies governing the disbursement, reimbursement, and documentation of all charitable funds.
The Foundation operates under the oversight of an independent Board of Directors, supported by formal committees and written governance policies.
Oversight includes:
Board review of financial and operational activity
Objective, nondiscriminatory scholarship selection processes
Conflict-of-interest disclosures and recusals
Regular policy review and updates
Learn More About Foundation Governance
Scholarships and educational awards are administered using:
Written eligibility requirements
Objective scoring rubrics
Formal award acceptance agreements
Documented disbursement and reimbursement procedures
An established revocation and appeals process
These safeguards ensure that scholarships are awarded fairly and used appropriately for educational purposes.
The BBQ Education Foundation is a separate legal entity from the National High School BBQ Association® (NHSBBQA®).
While NHSBBQA® operates educational programming, leagues, and competitions, all charitable donations, scholarships, and educational awards are administered solely by the Foundation.
This separation protects donor intent and ensures compliance with nonprofit law.
Information regarding the Foundation’s:
Tax-exempt status
Governance structure
Scholarship administration
Charitable purpose
is available to donors, school districts, grantmakers, and partners upon request.
The Foundation is committed to meeting all required federal and state reporting obligations.
We welcome inquiries from:
Donors and sponsors
School districts and educators
Grantmaking organizations
Community partners
Contact the BBQ Education Foundation
By operating openly and responsibly, the BBQ Education Foundation ensures that every decision and every dollar supports education, opportunity, and student success.
Our Promise:
Every contribution is stewarded with integrity, guided by policy, and aligned with our charitable mission to support students through education.
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®.
