The Nonprofit Continued to Uplift California’s Food and Beverage Community in 2024 Through Grants, Mentorship and Scholarships
Sacramento, CA (RestaurantNews.com) The California Restaurant Foundation (CRF), a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening California’s restaurant community for nearly 45 years, is proudly celebrating a year of profound impact on the many deserving organizations and people it serves. Through its mission-driven programs, CRF provided critical relief to 156 food and beverage workers facing hardship, awarded $170,500 in scholarships to 88 aspiring culinary professionals and distributed $5,000 grants to 278 independent restaurants across 38 California counties – directly supporting 3,500+ employees. As CRF continues to expand its reach, 2024 was a landmark year that stands as a testament to the foundation’s unwavering commitment to California’s vibrant restaurant community.
“Last year, CRF witnessed remarkable resilience, tremendous innovation and the overwhelming impact our foundation makes on the lives of others by investing in California’s restaurant ecosystem, which couldn’t be possible without the unwavering generosity of our donors, the dedication of our volunteers and the support of our community,” said Alycia Harshfield, President of CRF. “In 2024, we proudly empowered students, provided critical relief to restaurant workers and supported independent restaurants through ProStart scholarships, hands-on learning experiences and our Restaurants Care program – endeavors central to our mission to sustain and uplift the industry.”
CRF deepened its commitment to strengthening culinary education by supporting ProStart®, a nationally recognized career and exploration and training program that prepares high school students for success in the restaurant and hospitality industry. CRF hosted training conferences in San Diego, San Luis Obispo and Los Angeles, equipping 45 ProStart educators with industry expertise, hands-on training and valuable resources to enhance their classrooms. To further invest in the program’s impact, the foundation awarded $25,000 in grants directly to ProStart schools, providing students with expanded learning opportunities and real-world culinary experience.
Through CRF’s Experience Hospitality Day and Force In Training (FIT) Day initiatives throughout the state, more than 500 students gained firsthand exposure to career opportunities through exclusive tours of 24 leading hospitality businesses, while 300 restaurant industry volunteers provided mentorship and career guidance. CRF further expanded access to higher education by awarding $170,500 in college scholarships to 88 students. Additionally, three students were selected for the inaugural ProStart Executive Mentorship program, pairing them with industry leaders for hands-on leadership experience and financial support. One 2024 standout performance was from the Orange County School of the Arts, which secured first place at the National ProStart® Student Invitational in Baltimore, showcasing the strength and talent of California’s future hospitality leaders.
Restaurants Care®, CRF’s multifaceted relief program, remained a lifeline last year for California’s hospitality community and continued to reinforce CRF’s longstanding commitment to the many hardworking individuals forming the backbone of the industry. In 2024, Restaurants Care continued its mission of supporting food and beverage workers in times of crisis, providing critical financial assistance to 156 industry professionals facing unexpected hardships. Of those assisted, 43% battled illness, 26% mourned the loss of a loved one, 13% recovered from injuries, 10% were involved in accidents, 7% endured natural disasters and 1% faced housing crises. As 2025 began, Restaurants Care maintained its commitment to delivering direct relief when needed most, as the organization quickly mobilized to provide immediate assistance to restaurant workers impacted by the devastating Los Angeles fires, ensuring they receive the support needed to recover and rebuild.
Restaurants Care named 17 hospitality leaders as 2024 Restaurants Care Ambassadors, each playing a vital role in raising awareness and expanding program reach. The ambassadors represented Restaurants Care at community events, led presentations and participated in outreach days, furthering its mission to support food and beverage workers in need. Restaurant Care’s annual Grateful Table dinner, the organization’s signature fundraising event, brought together 200 foodservice leaders throughout the industry and raised nearly $200,000 for critical relief to hospitality workers. Additionally, Restaurants Care received national recognition as a Restaurant Giving Circle grant recipient, securing $70,000 to support the launch of a statewide volunteer network in 2025.
The Restaurants Care Resilience Fund remained a vital source of support for independent restaurants, distributing $5,000 grants to 278 independent establishments across 38 statewide counties. These grants directly benefited 3,500 employees, with nearly 90% of recipients being single-unit restaurants, underscoring CRF’s commitment to sustaining California’s small businesses. By continuing to invest in the long-term success of independent restaurants, the Resilience Fund remains an essential resource for the industry’s stability and growth.
For more information about the California Restaurant Foundation or Restaurants Care, please visit RestaurantsCare.org.
About the California Restaurant Foundation (CRF)
California is home to more than 90,000 eating and drinking places that ring up more than $72 billion in sales and employ more than 1.6 million workers, making restaurants an indisputable driving force in the state’s economy. The California Restaurant Foundation is a non-profit that empowers and invests in California’s restaurant workforce. Founded in 1981, CRF supports the restaurant community through relief grants for restaurant workers facing a hardship, job and life skills training for 13,500 high school students each year, and scholarships. For more information visit CalRestFoundation.org.
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