Our History and Dave’s Story
Dave's Commitment to Adoption
In 1990, U.S. President George H.W. Bush invited Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy’s, who was adopted, to become the spokesperson for a national adoption awareness campaign. Dave knew he could do more, though, and in 1992, he established the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption.
Spreading the Word
Dave continued to advocate for, and spread the word about, adoption over the course of years. His advocacy included 1997 testimony before the U.S. Congress in support of a tax credit designed to make adoption more affordable for families. In addition, he made appearances in public service announcements promoting adoption, led the initiative to create an adoption-themed U.S. postal stamp and, eventually, expanded the Foundation’s reach into Canada.
Dave's Legacy Continues Today
Dave passed away on January 8, 2002. Though the world lost a committed advocate for children, his legacy lives on through the Foundation and through the children who have been adopted before aging out of foster care. Though known and respected for his philanthropy and business acumen, Dave Thomas may be best remembered by his tireless efforts to improve the lives of the most vulnerable children in North America.
In 2003, the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption-Canada was formally incorporated. We work every day in pursuit of Dave’s vision that every child will have a permanent home and a loving family.
Foundation Timeline and Milestones
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2025The Foundation celebrates finding permanent families for more than 15,000 children in foster care through Wendy’s Wonderful Kids across the U.S. and Canada and the 20th anniversary of our annual Summit.
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2022The Foundation releases the latest Adoption & Foster Care Attitudes survey, showing progress in public perceptions about foster care adoption, informing the creation of new messaging, resources and more.
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2022The Foundation celebrates finding permanent families for more than 500 children in foster care through Wendy’s Wonderful Kids in Canada.
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2021The Foundation celebrates finding permanent families for more than 10,000 children in foster care through Wendy’s Wonderful Kids across the U.S. and Canada.
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2015The Foundation and the Ontario Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services launch a commitment to scale Wendy’s Wonderful Kids in Ontario in coordination with the Children’s Aid Societies.
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2012The Foundation commissions the first Canadian Adoption & Foster Care Attitudes survey, to be conducted every five years, informing messaging and the creation of free educational resources.
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2011Child Trends releases the findings of the five-year rigorous evaluation in the U.S., revealing that children lingering in foster care who are served by Wendy’s Wonderful Kids are up to three times more likely to be adopted.
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2007The first Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program grant is issued in Ontario.
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2006The Wendy’s Wonderful Kids program launches in Canada, with the first recruiters in British Columbia and Ontario. Additionally, Child Trends begins conducting a five-year evaluation in the U.S., studying the outcomes for youth in foster care served by Wendy’s Wonderful Kids.
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2003The Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption-Canada™ is formally incorporated.