What NACS Foundation does

The NACS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1994 and headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia. It operates as the charitable arm of the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) and exists to unify and amplify the convenience and fuel retailing industry's philanthropic efforts across the United States. The Foundation delivers five signature programs — Response Relief (first responders and disaster relief), Future Fund (scholarships and leadership development), Neighborhood Nourish (hunger relief), Tomorrow Thrives (children's health), and Community Cleanup (environmental stewardship) — together with associated flagship events such as 24/7 Day (held annually on July 24) and the First Responder of the Year Award. It does not build technology products; its deliverable is coordinated charitable programs distributed through the NACS member network of 1,500+ retailers, 1,600+ suppliers across 50+ countries, and the 152,000+ U.S. convenience stores that collectively reach 165 million customers daily.

The Foundation's business model is donation- and sponsorship-driven rather than commercial. Funding flows in through corporate donations, multi-tiered sponsorships (from $2,500 to $100,000+), program participation fees, and event-based fundraising such as the 24/7 Day campaign supporting the American Red Cross. NACS, the parent trade association, provides matching funds (capped at $2.5 million in 2026) and organizational infrastructure. Strategic partners include RaceTrac, Sheetz, and Wawa as 24/7 Day founding partners; GSTV and InComm Payments as media and prize sponsors; Keurig Dr Pepper as a scholarship and event partner; the American Red Cross as the primary Response Relief beneficiary; and NENA as a first-responder supporter. Governance is led by Executive Director Kevin O'Connell, supported by a board tied to NACS. The Foundation reinvests all contributions directly into program execution; it has no disclosed revenue, no traditional funding rounds, and no institutional investors.

Since its 2018 relaunch, the Foundation has incrementally expanded its program surface (new scholarships, new award categories, increased matching commitment) and broadened its partner ecosystem, but its scale remains modest and operationally tethered to the NACS membership base.

Name

NACS Foundation

Legal name

NACS Foundation

Website

https://conveniencecares.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1994

Operating status

Operating

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industry Charitable Foundation

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (813410)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Humanitarian Coordination, Information Management & Needs Assessment (BPADADAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Emergency Shelter, Camp Management & Non-Food Items (NFI) (BPAGAAAC)

Keywords

• Charitable foundation
• Industry philanthropy
• Community programs
• Convenience retail
• Disaster relief

Headquarters

HQ city

Alexandria

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Corporate Donations and Sponsorships: The NACS Foundation raises funds through corporate donations, sponsorships, and pledges from convenience industry retailers and suppliers. Donation tiers include $2,500-$5,000 (supports scholarships or regional programs), $10,000-$25,000 (localized initiatives), $50,000-$75,000 (regional impact), and $100,000+ (national programs). In 2026, NACS matches every dollar pledged up to $2.5 million.
2. Program Participation Fees: Convenience stores and suppliers participate in foundation programs and events, contributing to the operational costs of signature initiatives including Response Relief, Future Fund, Neighborhood Nourish, Tomorrow Thrives, and Community Cleanup.
3. Event-Based Fundraising: Annual events such as 24/7 Day (July 24) raise awareness and donations for the American Red Cross and first responder recognition. The First Responder of the Year Award generates engagement and corporate support for disaster relief efforts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The NACS Foundation operates as the 501(c)(3) charitable arm of the convenience and fuel retailing industry, delivering five signature programs — Response Relief (first responder and disaster relief support), Future Fund (scholarships and leadership development), Neighborhood Nourish (hunger relief), Tomorrow Thrives (children's health), and Community Cleanup (environmental stewardship). It mobilizes NACS retail and supplier members through corporate donations, sponsorships, and signature events such as 24/7 Day and the First Responder of the Year Award to deliver coordinated community impact.

Product overview

The NACS Foundation is a charitable foundation unifying the convenience and fuel retailing industry to amplify community impact through five signature programs. Response Relief honors first responders through the First Responder of the Year Award and 24/7 Day event. Future Fund provides scholarships including the NACS Foundation Scholarship ($3,000 awards) and the Lisa Dell'Alba Convenience Industry Leadership Scholarship for Cornell Executive Leadership Program. Neighborhood Nourish fights hunger through food bank donations and volunteer activities. Tomorrow Thrives supports children's health and fights childhood disease. Community Cleanup hosts annual neighborhood cleanups. The foundation, founded in 1994 and relaunched in 2018, serves as a catalyst for the convenience retail industry's charitable efforts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 24/7 Day: Annual event held on July 24 to recognize first responders, medical personnel, and American Red Cross volunteers who work around the clock serving communities
• First Responder of the Year Award
• NACS Foundation Scholarship
• Lisa Dell'Alba Convenience Industry Leadership Scholarship

Products and services

• Response Relief A signature program that honors first responders and contributes to disaster relief efforts through the First Responder of the Year Award and the annual 24/7 Day event in partnership with the American Red Cross. Intended for convenience industry members and their communities.
• Future Fund A scholarship and internship program for convenience store member employees and their children, including the NACS Foundation Scholarship ($3,000 awards) and the Lisa Dell'Alba Convenience Industry Leadership Scholarship for the NACS Executive Leadership Program at Cornell University. Designed for convenience industry employee and family member continuing education.
• Neighborhood Nourish A program that fights hunger by collecting donations for local food banks and mobilizing convenience store volunteer activities to help people experiencing homelessness or food insecurity.
• Tomorrow Thrives A program that raises money and awareness to fight childhood disease, supports children and families affected by illness, and encourages kids of all ages to live active lifestyles.
• Community Cleanup An annual cleanup day in neighborhoods across America designed to keep communities beautiful, raise awareness about environmental issues, and elevate community pride.
• First Responder of the Year Award An award recognizing outstanding first responders in the U.S. for their exceptional service, courage, and commitment to their communities, including a K9 Award category; winners receive free gas for a year (up to $2,500), a $500 gift card, trip to NACS Show, donations to local stations, and recognition on 24/7 Day.
• 24/7 Day An annual event held on July 24 that unites convenience stores across America to recognize first responders, medical personnel, and American Red Cross volunteers who work around the clock serving communities.
• NACS Foundation Scholarship A scholarship program providing $3,000 awards to convenience and fuel retail employees and their family members for undergraduate or community college tuition, honoring Jim Yates and David Erickson.
• Lisa Dell'Alba Convenience Industry Leadership Scholarship A scholarship providing two graduates of the NACS Leadership for Success program the opportunity to participate in the NACS Executive Leadership Program at Cornell University.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $1 billion donated annually to charities by U.S. convenience stores
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• RaceTracflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019RaceTrac was one of three founding convenience store partners (along with Sheetz and Wawa) for the inaugural 24/7 Day event in 2019. As a founding partner, RaceTrac helped establish the program model for honoring first responders and supporting disaster relief.
• SheetzflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Sheetz was one of three founding convenience store partners for the inaugural 24/7 Day in 2019, helping launch the annual event to honor first responders and support American Red Cross disaster relief efforts.
• WawaflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Wawa was one of three founding partners for 24/7 Day 2019, establishing the program template for recognizing first responders and raising disaster relief funds through the convenience industry.
• American Red CrosscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe American Red Cross is the primary beneficiary of the NACS Foundation's annual 24/7 Day fundraising efforts. Donations support the Red Cross's disaster relief operations, with the foundation noting that every 8 minutes someone affected by disaster is helped by Red Cross donations. The partnership aligns with the convenience industry's role as a first responder during crises.
• GSTVcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerGSTV serves as media partner for the NACS Foundation, providing free gas for a year (up to $2,500 value) for the First Responder of the Year winner. GSTV uses its national video network to promote 24/7 Day and has collaborated with influencer Tank Sinatra to amplify the initiative. Also provides platform for cross-promotion at NACS Show.
• InComm PaymentsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerInComm Payments provides a $500 gift card for First Responder of the Year award winners as part of the recognition package.
• NACSflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNACS (National Association of Convenience Stores) is the parent trade association with over 1,500 retailer and 1,600 supplier member companies from more than 50 countries. The NACS Foundation serves as the charitable arm, with NACS providing matching funds (up to $2.5M in 2026) and organizational infrastructure.
• NENA (National Emergency Number Association)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerNENA is listed as a 24/7 Day supporter, supporting first responder recognition efforts.
• Loop Neighborhood MarketcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerLoop Neighborhood Market serves as a 24/7 Day participant and has integrated the initiative into its Loop Gives Back community program. The company uses its mobile app to promote charitable messaging and has elevated executive voices for media interviews about the initiative.
• Dara's Corner MarketminorGTM or Marketing PartnerDara's Corner Market, a seven-location Kansas retailer, participated in the First Responder of the Year program by nominating volunteer Fire Chief Kevin Umscheid, who won the inaugural award. The company has expanded its first responder support initiatives following the recognition.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• American Red Cross: Strategic disaster-relief partner and the primary beneficiary of the Foundation's 24/7 Day fundraising. Operates the national humanitarian relief infrastructure that the Foundation's Response Relief program depends on.
• National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS): Parent trade association providing1,500+ retailer and 1,600+ supplier member access plus $2.5M annual matching. The Foundation's organizational and financial anchor.
• Feeding America: Largest U.S. hunger-relief nonprofit and natural peer for the Foundation's Neighborhood Nourish food-bank donation program, given overlapping food-insecurity focus.
• Keep America Beautiful: National nonprofit focused on litter prevention and community beautification — a direct functional peer to the Foundation's Community Cleanup program.
• Children's Miracle Network Hospitals: National nonprofit funding children's hospitals and pediatric health — closely aligned with the Foundation's Tomorrow Thrives children's health program.
• Scholarship America: Largest U.S. private-sector scholarship provider — directly comparable to the Foundation's Future Fund scholarship track, which has awarded over $500K since 1994.

Broad incumbents

• National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation: Industry-affiliated charitable arm of a peer trade association. Comparable model — industry trade association backing a foundation running scholarships and community programs.
• International Franchise Association Foundation: Charitable and educational arm of the franchise industry's main trade body. Comparable structure of a trade-association-backed foundation providing scholarships and community programs.

Emerging players

• Points of Light: Volunteer and civic engagement nonprofit. Comparable in mobilizing corporate volunteers and community-service activation, a peer mechanism to the Foundation's in-store grassroots programs.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth-services nonprofit with strong corporate-partner activation model. Comparable in working with retail and consumer-brand sponsors to deliver community youth programs adjacent to Tomorrow Thrives.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NACS_Foundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheNACSFoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/nacs_foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about NACS Foundation