In 2025, the NACS Foundation didn’t just grow–it thrived. Together with its retail and supply partners, board and committee members, and communities, the Foundation turned intent into outcomes, extending its reach into new places and expanding results.

The NACS Foundation’s updated Impact Report captures the momentum of a year defined by collaboration, innovation and belief in what’s possible, especially when we set our sights on building lasting programming that speaks to our mission: to unify the convenience industry and amplify the great work being done every day in our communities across the U.S.

The convenience industry’s greatest strength is unity, building lasting change that no single business could achieve alone. To that end, here are some of the highlights from 2025 across the NACS Foundation’s key pillars:

• Response Relief: In addition to record-breaking participation for the annual 24/7 Day, the Foundation also found success with a new program that highlights the relationships between first responders and c-stores – The First Responder of the Year Award. Three honorees were named, and in addition to in-store recognition in front of friends, family and media, the Foundation also highlighted the winners’ life- and community-sustaining efforts with federal and state officials, as well as on stage at the 2025 NACS Show.

• Neighborhood Nourish: Thanks to support from new partners, the Foundation rescued 120,380 pounds of food from the 2025 NACS Show and in doing so, created a replicable process to exceed this amount at future shows. The recovered food was donated to five Chicago-area food banks, helping put more than 100,000 meals on the table in food-insecure communities.

• Future Fund: The NACS Foundation greatly increased its giving in this space, supporting and retaining the talent pipeline within the industry, by awarding 12 Future Fund scholarships each for $3,500; launching the Lisa Dell’Alba Scholarship and raising $60,000 in her honor; and putting 177 leaders from 15 countries through the NACS Foundation-sponsored executive education programs.

Click on the 2025 report to see the results from our efforts last year and the momentum we are carrying forward.

Curious on how to get involved? Contact NACS Foundation Executive Director Kevin O’Connell at koconnell@convenience.org