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Restaurants Care® Resilience Fund Enters Sixth Year, Providing $5,000 Grants to Help Independent Restaurants Strengthen Their Businesses and Workforce
Sacramento, CA (RestaurantNews.com) The California Restaurant Foundation (CRF), a nonprofit that invests in and empowers California restaurants and their workforce, is awarding $1.41 million in grants to 282 independent restaurants and catering businesses across California through the sixth consecutive Restaurants Care® Resilience Fund. Made possible through generous support from The PG&E Corporation Foundation and SoCalGas, longtime contributors to the fund since its inception in 2021, the $5,000 grants provide critical financial support to help independent restaurant owners strengthen their businesses, invest in their employees and build long-term stability.
“Independent restaurants are the heart of California’s communities, and these grants provide meaningful support where it can have an immediate and lasting impact,” said Alycia Harshfield, President of CRF. “We’re proud to continue the Resilience Fund for a sixth year and deeply grateful to PG&E Foundation and SoCalGas for their continued partnership. Their commitment gives restaurant owners the resources they need to make important investments in their businesses and their teams, ensuring these local establishments can continue serving their communities for years to come.”
The Resilience Fund comes at a time when independent restaurant operators continue to navigate rising food and operating costs, workforce challenges and an evolving economic landscape. While the industry has moved beyond the immediate crisis of the pandemic, many small businesses continue to face financial pressures that can make essential investments difficult. By providing flexible funding, the Resilience Fund gives restaurant owners the ability to address immediate needs while making investments that support the long-term health of their businesses and employees.
This year’s 282 recipients reflect the diversity and character of California’s independent restaurant community, with 85% operating as single-unit businesses, an average of 10 years in business and a collective workforce of 3,383 employees. Among the recipients, 239 are located within Pacific Gas and Electric’s service area and 43 are within SoCalGas’ territory, representing a range of business types from full-service restaurants and cafés to quick-service concepts, caterers and bakeries. Grant recipients reported plans to use the funds for kitchen equipment upgrades (69%), technology upgrades (15%) and employee training (8%), while others will dedicate funds to retention bonuses and unforeseen hardships. To qualify, restaurants and caterers must have fewer than five units and less than $3 million in annual revenue. View the full list of 2026 Restaurants Care® Resilience Fund grant recipients here: RestaurantsCare.org/resilience-general/.
“Small businesses are constantly navigating challenges and finding ways to adapt and keep moving forward,” said Javier Cuadra, owner of URBANA in Anaheim. “Grants like this give us the resources to stay resilient and strengthen our business. We’re grateful for the opportunity to continue supporting our employees and sharing our culture through our food.”
“Opening our neighborhood restaurant was a family decision. We wanted to serve homemade food, provide friendly service and give back to our community,” said John Lindsey, owner of Rusty Ladle. “Every second and every penny count. When equipment fails, it impacts our business and, ultimately, our customers’ experience.”
Since 2021, the Resilience Fund has provided financial assistance to 2,369 independent restaurants and caterers throughout California. The Resilience Fund is currently accepting additional support from corporations, foundations and individuals wanting to invest in California’s food community. Donations of all sizes are accepted and celebrated at RestaurantsCare.org/resilience/.
For more information about the California Restaurant Foundation, Restaurants Care or the Resilience Fund, please visit RestaurantsCare.org.
About the California Restaurant Foundation (CRF)
Restaurants Care® is a program of the California Restaurant Foundation, 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 14,500 high school students each year, and scholarships. 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. For more information visit CalRestFoundation.org.
Media Contact:
Kelly Itatani
Powerhouse+Co.
kelly@powerhouseandco.com
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