Grant and Funding Programs Offered by John Volken Foundation

The John Volken Foundation is a philanthropic organization established by businessman and social entrepreneur John Volken after he transferred virtually all of his assets to charitable work. Its stated purpose is to provide people in need with the opportunity to help themselves become successful, contributing members of society. The foundation focuses its resources on intensive social programs rather than short-term relief, channeling significant funding into addiction recovery, life-skills education and support for destitute children.

A major funded initiative of the foundation is the John Volken Academy, a network of long-term residential programs in the United States and Canada that provide life-skills training and therapeutic community–based recovery for men aged 18 to 55 struggling with addiction and related challenges. According to the founder’s story, aside from a relatively small one-time admittance fee, the entire cost of the program and the basic living expenses of participants are paid by the foundation. This positions the organization as a key financial backer of accessible, comprehensive recovery services.

The foundation also created and extensively funds Lift the Children, a registered charity that seeks out struggling orphanages in East Africa. Lift the Children provides long-term financial support to these homes so they can supply shelter, food, education, healthcare and life-skills training to orphaned and highly vulnerable children. The foundation covers the operating costs of Lift the Children, allowing external donations to flow directly to the children’s care. Through this vehicle, the foundation effectively acts as a grantor to grassroots orphanages and children’s projects.

Through its flagship initiatives, the John Volken Foundation primarily serves two populations: adults in North America facing serious substance-use and life-stability issues, and orphaned or abandoned children in some of the poorest regions of Africa. Funding is directed toward long-term, holistic interventions—combining housing, education, skills training and personal development—rather than short episodes of support. The foundation emphasizes helping beneficiaries become self-reliant and responsible community members.

While the website does not present open-call grant competitions, it clearly documents substantial and ongoing financial support to partner organizations and program participants. As such, the John Volken Foundation functions as a discretionary funder that both operates programs and finances aligned charitable initiatives.