Local nonprofit, Dutton Farm, named finalist in Chick-fil-A’s True Inspiration Awards

Local nonprofit Dutton Farm is one of six finalists in the Midwest up for a grant from Chick-fil-A.

Dutton Farm provides job opportunities to adults with disabilities, and they recently opened a bath and body boutique in Pontiac. If named one of the regional winners, the organization will be awarded between $75,000 and $325,000 – depending on how many votes they receive. The money will be earmarked to directly contribute to under resourced communities.

“Winning this grant will provide critical funding towards our expansion efforts into the city of Pontiac. We have been planning and partnering with Pontiac leaders to build a digital platform that makes job training, skill building and relationship building accessible to residents of Pontiac, and this partnership with Chickfil-A will provide the necessary funding to bring these plans to fruition,” said Jenny Brown, president, CEO and co-founder of Dutton Farm.

Brown needs the com

munity’s help to win; people can vote daily from now through Saturday, Nov. 21. To vote, download the Chickfil-A smartphone app, select “Rewards” from the bottom menu, select “News” on the top left of the screen, click “Vote Now,” select “Midwest”

and then click the red “Vote” button below Dutton Farm.

“Now that we are in the top six, we are entirely dependent on our support network to vote for us to get to the top four. Only the top four organizations will win grant funding,” said Brown.

This year, Chick-fil-A is committed to awarding $5 million in True Inspiration Awards grants to qualifying nonprofits that serve minority communities. For more information, visit www. chick-fil-a.com/true-inspiration-awards.

COURTESY DUTTON FARM EveryBody by Dutton Farm makes and sells products like candles, soaps, lip balms and hand sanitizer and employs those with developmental disabilities. Co-founder Jenny Brown (far right) is pictured with some of the employees.