Jon Bon Jovi Honored With James Beard Impact Award for JBJ Soul Foundation and Restaurant

The musician’s organizations help “break the cycle of hunger, poverty, and homelessness”

LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 24: Jon Bon Jovi poses on the Wembley pitch during a special announcement of the "Forever Tour" at Wembley Stadium on October 24, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)

Jon Bon Jovi at Wembley Stadium on Oct. 24, 2025.Samir Hussein/WireImage

Jon Bon Jovi added another accolade to his awards collection this week, this time for his charitable work. The James Beard Award foundation organizers announced on Tuesday that the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer is among the 2026 recipients of its Impact Award, which highlights the foundation’s work and advocacy.

“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,” the organization said in a statement.  In 2011, JBJ Soul Foundation also founded the non-profit community restaurant JBJ Soul Kitchen, which serves meals to those in need as well as paying customers.

“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,” the organization continued. “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.”

 

Per JBJ Soul Kitchen’s website, “All are welcome to dine at our table where locally-sourced ingredients, dignity and respect are always on the menu.” Encouraging people to “pay-it-forward” by paying for meals or covering the cost of their order by volunteering for those in need, its served more than 234,000 meals. Of those, 58 percent have come from earned meals from volunteering and 42 percent have been paid via donations.

In other Bon Jovi news, the band’s rock & roll origin story will be made into a music biopic, with Jon Bon Jovi involved in the project. The band is set to embark on their Forever Tour beginning in July.