Hilltop Community Resources received a 2025 Community Grant from the Taco Bell Foundation. The funding will support Connections (formerly run by Karis) to support youth development and stability, including education attainment, career readiness and stability building, helping youth in Mesa County access essential resources to achieve their goals.

“This grant is the difference between youth completing their GED or dropping out. The difference between maintaining employment or losing their only source of financial stability. The difference between the foundational support for them to achieve their goals or going homeless, without a tent or food,” Hilltop Director of Community Programs Margery Brennan said. “We are grateful to the Taco Bell Foundation and the local restaurants who chose to support our work and to believe in the young adults we work with.”

The Taco Bell Foundation awarded $28 million in Community Grants this year to nearly 500 nonprofit organizations nationwide.

Hilltop Community Resources was nominated for the grant by local Taco Bell franchisee, ColCal Colorado Inc., whose continued commitment to uplifting youth has helped expand access to education, mentorship and career readiness programs across the community.

“We believe that empowering young people is one of the most meaningful ways we can invest in the future,” said Lisa Lane Cardin, executive director of the Taco Bell Foundation. “This record investment is a testament to the power of community-driven change and the limitless potential that exists when we remove barriers and open doors.”

Through this grant, Hilltop’s Connections will be able to continue serving more than 100 youth each year with resources, housing, education and job preparedness.

To learn more about Hilltop Community Resources and Connections programming, visit www.htop.org.

To learn more about the Taco Bell Foundation and the Community Grants program,

please visit www.tacobellfoundation.org/who-we-support.