Happy Joe’s Pizza & Ice Cream, headquartered in Davenport, Iowa, has begun spotlighting a different local nonprofit each month, giving franchisees a consistent way to support causes tied to families and their own communities.
The program provides a simple framework for community involvement across the system and focuses on organizations that serve children, families and vulnerable members of the community. It also creates consistent stories for guests who want their pizza nights to mean something more.
“Our restaurants are part of their communities, and this program gives teams a clear way to show up month after month,” said Tom Sacco, CEO, president and chief happiness officer of Happy Joe’s. “It keeps our focus where it belongs—on families and the people who need support close to home.”
The 2026 Charity of the Month schedule includes:
January
Local Women’s Shelter or Advocacy Center: Family Resources, offering counseling, housing support and prevention programs for families in need.
February
Local Child Abuse Charity: Melody of Hope Advocacy Center, providing forensic interviews, therapy and family services for child abuse victims.
March
Local Senior Center: CASI, serving adults with disabilities through employment training, housing and daily support programs.
April
Local Children’s Therapy Focused Center: Children’s Therapy Center of the Quad Cities, offering pediatric therapy services to help children improve mobility and communication.
May
Local Homeless Shelter: Humility of Mary Shelter, providing emergency shelter and long-term housing assistance for women and children.
June
Local Humane Society: Scott County Humane Society, promoting animal welfare through rescue, adoption and education programs.
July
Habitat for Humanity: Habitat for Humanity, expanding safe homeownership opportunities for families in need.
August
Salvation Army: Salvation Army Stuff the Bus, supporting classroom readiness through community donation drives.
September
Local Junior Achievement: Junior Achievement of the Heartland, providing youth education programs focused on work readiness and economics.
October
Local Food Bank: River Bend Food Bank, supplying food to partner pantries across eastern Iowa and western Illinois.
November
Toys for Tots, ensuring children in need receive gifts during winter holidays.
December
Happy Joe’s Kids Foundation, supporting youth-focused initiatives through community fundraising.
By pairing its franchise partners with local charities (or non-profits), the program strengthens neighborhood ties while keeping the brand’s philanthropic focus consistent systemwide. Franchisees are encouraged to participate in ways that fit their communities, from in-store fundraising to awareness campaigns and donation drives.
