JBF Relief Fund

The James Beard Foundation Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund is now closed.

The James Beard Foundation Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund provided critical financial assistance to small, independent restaurants to keep them from going out of business due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) national disaster. The goal was to provide for workers, sustain local business, reduce the financial impact on communities, and otherwise mitigate the severe economic consequences of this global pandemic.
 
Restaurants, bars and other independent food and beverage operations are strong economic drivers. The culinary industry generates  $1 trillion in revenue per year, or 4% of U.S. GDP and the food and beverage community also employs nearly 16% of the American workforce. These businesses support local economies and, according to some studies, restaurants pump as much as 60% of their money back into their local communities. They pay taxes, support municipal utilities, and bring life into underserved neighborhoods. Simply put, these businesses are essential. They are woven into the social and cultural fabric of our country.

The Relief Fund provided small independent restaurants $15,000 grants to bring swift economic relief and assistance during this time. The James Beard Foundation thanks the individual donors and corporate donors who made these grants possible. The JBF Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund was administered by the New Venture Fund with technical assistance from the James Beard Foundation. Have questions? Please visit our Relief Fund FAQ page.

List of Relief Fund Grantees 

Please note, the James Page Beard Foundation Food and Beverage Industry Relief Fund is now closed. 

Individual and Foundation Donors

 

Founding Donors

Corporate Donors

Media Partners