Jon Bon Jovi is earning some much-deserved recognition for his work giving back. The James Beard Foundation announced this week that the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation, which works with people experiencing homelessness, will be honored with the 2026 Impact Award. The work of the foundation will be acknowledged at a ceremony in Chicago, Illinois on Sunday, June 14.
“Since 2006, the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation has worked to break the cycle of hunger, poverty, and homelessness. To date, the JBJ Soul Foundation has helped provide support for almost 1,000 units of affordable and supportive housing in 12 states for thousands of people, including youth and veterans,” writes the James Beard Foundation in a statement announcing the honor. “Bon Jovi and his wife, Dorothea Bongiovi, expanded their mission by founding JBJ Soul Kitchen, a nonprofit, pay-it-forward restaurant that has served over 234,000 healthy, three-course meals across its four New Jersey locations.” It continues, “JBJ Soul Kitchen offers more than just a meal—it fosters meaningful connections with guests through community outreach including job training, resume support, employment assistance, partnerships with local mental health providers, and access to housing resources.”
As CBS News highlighted when it reported on the JBJ Foundation last August, the four New Jersey restaurants allow diners to pay what they can for a meal—usually $20 to $30—or to pay with their time, chipping in as servers, dishwashers, or other restaurant roles. Said Dorothea Bongiovi, “Ours is a model of empowerment. We’re not here to make somebody feel like, ‘Oh, I’m giving this to you.’ You have earned it.” The restaurants first opened in 2011.
Aside from his upcoming honor, Bon Jovi already has a busy 2026 on the horizon. As the “Livin’ On A Prayer” rocker announced last year, he’ll be on the road for a good portion of the coming months, performing at stops in New York, London, Edinburgh, and Dublin. This Global Forever Tour — the band’s first in four years — kicks off in July.
Browse Bon Jovi’s music on limited edition vinyl and CDs here.
