News Category: Community Impact

Grubhub and National ACE Host Chicago Restaurant Owners and Community Leaders to Drive Innovation and Economic Empowerment

The National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE), in collaboration with Grubhub, convened over 60 small business owners, policymakers, and community leaders for a Small Business Roundtable in Chicago on April 10, 2025. The event served as a critical platform to elevate the voices of entrepreneurs and discuss strategies to overcome challenges and accelerate growth. The event also spotlighted several Grubhub Restaurant Fund awardees and celebrated the spirit of innovation and resilience of small business owners.

“Recent estimates show that AAPIs comprise approximately 6.5% of the Chicago metropolitan area’s population—the fastest-growing among all racial and ethnic groups. AAPI entrepreneurs, professionals, and advocates are driving innovation and business success across diverse industries,” said Chiling Tong, President & CEO of National ACE. “By convening these conversations, we can help shape federal policies that better support AAPI businesses in Chicago and beyond.”

Chiling Tong also expressed appreciation for Grubhub’s continued partnership. Since 2021, National ACE has worked with Grubhub, which has given over $6.5 million in grants to 520 restaurant owners. The applications are from all 50 states, and these funds have been crucial in supporting independently-owned restaurants. The 2024 restaurant fund alone has created 140 new jobs and retained over 628 jobs.

“Grubhub is proud to mark five years of partnership with National ACE, supporting small businesses—the backbone of our local communities,” said Dave Tovar, SVP of Communications and Government Relations. “Through our collaboration on initiatives like the AAPIStrong Restaurant Grant program and advocacy for small business-friendly policies, we aim to create thriving environments for independent restaurants. Our success depends on them, and we remain committed to empowering local businesses to grow and thrive for years to come.”

This event provided hope for many entrepreneurs who have felt alone in their journeys. “It’s important to have community; if we’re able to lean on each other, we can go through anything. We can lift each other up. You can solve problems a lot faster when you talk and bounce ideas off each other,” said Melvin Reyes, owner of Mano Modern Cafe.

“In the age of uncertainty, this meeting gives us the chance to see the light at the end of the tunnel by understanding the resources around us. It gives us a fighting chance at survival,” said Kevin Yu, owner of 2d restaurant.

Key topics raised by small business owners included rising costs, access to capital, supply chain uncertainties, talent retention, and the need for culturally responsive resources. Solutions emphasized during the event included connecting small business owners with business bankers, reducing gatekeeping to capital access, and increasing mentorship from seasoned entrepreneurs. Participants were encouraged to create banking relationships before they needed cash. “Know your banker before you need the money,” said Johnny Wilbon of Bank of America. A recurring theme was the value of peer learning and storytelling to help others navigate similar struggles. Many entrepreneurs also highlighted the importance of building trust with customers, leveraging social media, and accessing legal and financial education early in their journey.

Notable participants included Alderman Nicole Lee, Ward 11, City of Chicago; Will Shih, Director of Economic Development, Office of Senator Tammy Duckworth; Jake Kaplan, Deputy Chief of Staff & District Director, Office of Representative Brad Schneider; and Cherita Logan, District Director, Office of Representative Danny K. Davis.

During the event, Grubhub announced the new Established 2020 Award designed to support long-term success for the class of Chicago restaurants that opened during the COVID-19 shutdown. All small business restaurant owners in Chicago who opened their first brick-and-mortar location in 2020 and are still open today are eligible to receive a monetary award to invest back into their small business. Applications for the award program are currently open through Friday, April 18, 2025, and will be awarded at an in-person event in June 2025.

This roundtable is part of National ACE’s ongoing commitment to support minority entrepreneurs and facilitate productive conversations around the unique challenges they face. National ACE continues to provide tailored resources and programs aimed at helping small business owners access funding and grow their operations.

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About National ACE

National ACE’s mission is to serve as a strong advocate of AAPI and all small business interests and positive change on all issues that enhance and advance the goals and aspirations of business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders. National ACE strives to do this by supporting and promoting issues that impact the small business community, improving the economic development and impact of the AAPI community, advancing coalitions, enhancing community building, and fostering the next generation of entrepreneurs and executives. National ACE provides a unified voice for the business interests of AAPIs and all small businesses nationally. Learn more at www.nationalace.org.

Grubhub Champions Hometown Restaurants’ 5-Year Triumph Over Pandemic Adversity

New “Established 2020” Award Will Support Long-Term Success for Class of Chicago Restaurants that Opened During COVID-19 Shutdown

Opening a restaurant under normal circumstances is notoriously difficult, but those who did so in 2020 faced unprecedented challenges as they navigated closed dining rooms, ever-changing health protocols, and more. To honor restaurateurs who defied the odds during the COVID-19 pandemic, Grubhub is launching Established 2020, a new award program for small-business Chicago restaurants celebrating five years of success in 2025.

Eighty percent* of new restaurants close within five years, and in 2020, closures spiked 95 percent** above the annual average. Many restaurants that opened in 2020 were ineligible for state and federal pandemic relief funds, as it often required proof of business impact from previous years.

Despite the odds, a select group of restaurateurs persevered, bringing their culinary visions to life. Their resilience not only shaped their success but also made a lasting impact on Chicago’s food scene. Established 2020 is here to celebrate these small businesses and continue supporting the amazing restaurants that define the city’s diverse culinary culture. 

Starting today, Grubhub is accepting applications for its Established 2020 Award to recognize its hometown restaurants’ commitment to serving delicious food to their local community. All small business restaurant owners in Chicago who opened their first brick-and-mortar location in 2020 and are still open today are eligible to receive a monetary award to invest back into their small business. Applications for the award program are currently open through Friday, April 18, 2025 and will be awarded at an in-person event in June 2025.

Learn more and apply here.*** 

“Chicago’s restaurant owners are some of the toughest, most persistent people out there, and the ones who opened in 2020 have grit and tenacity like no other,” said Isabel Perman, Director, Client Success at Grubhub. “They didn’t just survive—they built something lasting. We’re so pleased to have been a part of their incredible journey over the past five years and look forward to continuing to grow these partnerships for years to come.” 

Grubhub played a crucial role for restaurants in 2020 by helping many owners rethink their businesses overnight as they quickly transitioned from having a purely dine-in model to leveraging online ordering and delivery systems. Grubhub also reduced certain diner fees, boosted marketing, and provided delivery solutions to help restaurants serve their communities. Delivery orders in Chicago surged 98 percent from 2019 to 2020, and Grubhub was there to help ensure restaurants had the support they needed to keep their doors open to serve their communities. 

At the onset of the pandemic, Grubhub also established the Grubhub Community Fund (GCF) to support communities and restaurants impacted by the pandemic. Since 2020, the GCF has given more than $35 million directly to small-business restaurants across the country. 

Restaurants like Logan Square’s KFire and Greater Grand Crossing’s Doughboy’s Chicago overcame the challenges of opening during the COVID-19 shutdown and embody the resilience this award celebrates. Both have already been recognized with Grubhub’s Established 2020 Award for their perseverance and lasting contributions to Chicago’s vibrant food scene.

“The pandemic threw every obstacle our way but giving up was never an option. We poured everything into making our dream a reality, even when the odds were stacked against us,” said Ben Kim, Co-owner at KFire. “Grubhub gave us the tools to keep serving our food and growing our business at a time when every order mattered. Without their help, KFire probably wouldn’t exist today.” 

“Community has always been a core value of Doughboy’s Chicago. When the pandemic hit, we weren’t just adapting every day to keep our business going—we were finding ways to feed the people who relied on us. Launching during such a difficult time forced us to get creative, and Grubhub helped us stay connected with our neighbors.” said Nicole Fryison, Co-owner at Doughboy’s Chicago. “Fast-forward five years, we’re still here, still grinding, and still rooted in the community that was with us from day one.” 

Chicago’s restaurant scene is stronger because of the grit, determination, and creativity of the chefs, owners, and staff that bring the industry to life. Through the Established 2020 Award, Grubhub is proud to recognize small business restaurants celebrating their five-year milestone. This moment will continue strengthening existing relationships and build new partnerships with hometown restaurants to support their long-term success.

About Grubhub  

Grubhub is a leading U.S. ordering and delivery marketplace dedicated to connecting customers with their favorite local restaurants, merchants and convenience retailers. Grubhub elevates online ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms, and an improved delivery experience. Part of Wonder Group, Grubhub features 375,000 merchants in over 4,000 U.S. cities. 

References

* “The No. 1 thing to consider before opening a restaurant.” CNBC Make It, March 15, 2016 https://www.cnbc.com/2016/01/20/heres-the-real-reason-why-most-restaurants-fail.html.

** “Here’s How Many Restaurants Closed During the Pandemic.” The Washington Post, June, 21 2022 https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2022/06/21/covid-restaurant-closures/.

***Must be 18+ and legal U.S. resident to enter. Participation in the Established 2020 Award program is subject to an entrant’s compliance with all contest rules and terms, subject to Grubhub’s verification. Grubhub partnership is not required to participate or win. See official rules here.

Grubhub Celebrates 20 Years of Supporting Local Communities and Expands Impact Program

New report shows community reach and impact deepened in 2024, including more than $2.6 million to Chicago nonprofits and $1.3 million to NYC nonprofits

Grubhub invested more than $12 million last year in communities across the United States through the Grubhub Community Fund (GCF) and other impact programs, as revealed in our latest Community Impact Report. In addition to focusing on all of the initiatives and programs that we supported in 2024, the report looks back at how we positively impacted communities over the past two decades in honor of our 20th anniversary.

All of the work we do to support our communities is made possible through Grubhub corporate programs and the GCF, a donor-advised fund at a national sponsoring organization. The GCF is funded by diner donations through our Donate the Change round-up feature within the Grubhub app and website. Grubhub matches contributions up to $4 million each year on eligible Grubhub+ orders. 

To guide our community impact work, we focus our efforts on three key areas – helping close the hunger gap, creating opportunity in the hospitality industry, and supporting independent restaurants. This past year, we deepened our impact in key markets by: 

  • Expanding Our Reach and Impact. We supported more than 140 new organizations through the GCF – a 58% increase from 2023.
  • Adding Two New Grant Programs to Engage Drivers and Employees. We directed more than $300,000 in GCF support to nearly 70 organizations across the country.
  • Holding Our First Ever Office Wide Volunteer Day for Hometown Employees. More than 100 employees repacked shipments of 25,000 pounds of food for the Greater Chicago Food Depository to distribute to local food pantries, soup kitchens, and shelters.

“Since Grubhub was founded in 2004, we have been committed to leaving the communities where we operate better than we found them,” said Dave Tovar, Senior Vice President of Communications & Government Relations at Grubhub. “Looking back on how we have evolved our community impact program over the past two decades, I am incredibly proud of where we are today – leveraging Grubhub’s expertise to support the neighborhoods we serve in ways that are unique to our business. There’s more work to be done, and we will continue to engage local, grassroots organizations, expand our employee volunteer efforts, and deepen community partnerships across the country.”

In its second year, we expanded Grubhub’s Full Plate Program from our hometown of Chicago to New York City to support organizations working to close the hunger gap. Made possible by the GCF and administered in partnership with Food Bank for New York City (FBNYC), grant recipients were eligible for up to $10,000, and are all nonprofits in FBNYC’s Member Network. Through Full Plate, $714,500 went to support more than 90 local, community-driven programs that deliver nutritious food and beverages to individuals and families in need.

“We are deeply grateful to the Grubhub Community Fund for empowering our network of food pantries and soup kitchens with this incredible grant opportunity,” said Zanita Tisdale, Vice President of Agency and Organizational Impact at Food Bank For New York City. “Our members are on the frontlines of New York City’s growing hunger crisis, and these funds will not only help them provide more food to their neighbors but also secure critical equipment, support staff with stipends, and, in some cases, keep the lights on. As we work to close the hunger gap across the five boroughs, we couldn’t be more thankful for the Grubhub team’s unwavering partnership.”

As we look to the future, we will continue identifying opportunities for new and deeper partnerships to strengthen our community impact. Read the 2024 Community Impact Report, and learn more about how we are engaging in strategic partnerships and funding impactful programs to drive meaningful change in the places where our employees, customers, restaurant partners, and delivery partners work and live: https://about.grubhub.com/community/. 

Full Plate NYC Grantees (Fully Funded) 

  • Acts Community Development Corporation
  • Apostolic Assembly Of Jesus Christ
  • Bedford Central Presbyterian Church
  • Bethany United Methodist Church
  • Bethel Arverne Community Development Corporation
  • Bethel Prayer Ministries International USA
  • Bronx Bethany Community Corporation
  • Brooklyn Rescue Mission Urban Harvest Center
  • Calvary Fellowship AME Church
  • Calvary Pentecostal Church
  • Camp Friendship
  • Christ Jesus Baptist Church
  • Church of God in Christ
  • Church of God of Prophecy
  • COJO
  • COMMUNITY SERVICES HDC
  • Co-op City SDA Church Food Pantry
  • Fraternite Notre Dame
  • God’s Deliverance Temple Inc.
  • Gotham Food Pantry Inc
  • Grant House Unity Corp.
  • Greater Springfield Community Church
  • Health Essential Association
  • Immanuel First Spanish United Methodist Church
  • Inspirational Gospel Assembly
  • International Pentecostal City Mission Food Program
  • JESUS IS JUSTICE MISSION INC.
  • Jewish Community Council of Canarsie, Inc.
  • Leviticus Church
  • Life Bridge NY
  • Macedonia Community Development Corporation
  • Morris Brown AME Church
  • Mt. Zion Church of God 7th Day/ Mount Zion Feeding Program
  • Newman Memorial United Methodist Church Community Development Corp.
  • One Way Church of Christ Inc. Food Pantry
  • OPIN (Other People In Need) Inc.
  • Our Lady of Lourdes Food Pantry
  • Project Lead
  • Rauschenbusch Metro Ministries
  • Recovery House of Worship
  • Resurrection & Life Pentecostal Church
  • Salem Community Service Council
  • Second Chance Agape Worship Center, Inc.
  • Sisters With Purpose, Inc.
  • ST. JEROME H.A.N.D.S. COMMUNITY CENTER
  • St. Peter’s Food Pantry
  • Staten Island SDA Church Food Pantry
  • Taurus Associates Inc.
  • The Gospel Tabernacle Church, Inc.
  • The Red Door Place, Inc.
  • The Union Grove Baptist Church
  • The United Church of Far Rockaway
  • Transfiguration Food Pantry
  • Treasures in Earthen Jars
  • Trinity Human Services Corporation
  • Trinity’s Services And Food for the Homeless, Inc.
  • True Holy Church
  • Unitarian Church of All Souls
  • United Church Of Praise International Ministries ,Inc
  • University Community Social Services, Inc.
  • Vets Inc.
  • Vineyard International Christian Ministries
  • Zeina Lorraine Inc
  • Zichron Acheinu Levy Menachem Tzion
  • Zion Tabernacle FBH Church

American Heart Association Social Impact Funds Awards Four Organizations with Support from Grubhub Community Fund

DALLAS, Feb. 19, 2025 — The conditions in which we are born, live, learn, work, play and age — the social drivers of health — are better predictors of health and life expectancy than our genetic code. In communities nationwide, people living in locations just a handful of miles apart can have a dramatic difference in life expectancy.

To help level the playing field, the Grubhub Community Fund awarded the American Heart Association® Social Impact Funds a $2 million grant to support food security, technology innovation and economic resiliency in New York City and Chicago.

“We are grateful for this generous support, which will help fill a critical resource gap and help communities overcome barriers to high-quality, accessible health care, food security and economic empowerment,” said Regina Benjamin, M.D., MBA, chair of the Social Impact Funds Impact Investment Committee and 18th U.S. Surgeon General. “With support from the Grubhub Community Fund and other generous funding, American Heart Association Ventures offers a unique opportunity to turn philanthropy into action that makes a real and exponential difference in peoples’ lives.”

The American Heart Association Social Impact Funds will use this new support to help up to 12 organizations and entrepreneurs with significant efforts focused in Chicago and New York City through proprietary sourcing, investment and performance management processes. Four focused on Chicago have already been identified:

  • CareYaya, based in North Carolina, an on-demand marketplace connecting families with more than 25,000 students in pre-health programs to be caregivers for affordable, flexible in-home care access, while helping to expand the care workforce amidst a critical caregiver shortage;
  • Farm Generations Corporation, based in New York, a farmer-owned cooperative that supports farm viability, food access and regenerative agriculture through technological innovation and community building. Its flagship product, GrownBy, is a SNAP-eligible, direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform connecting growers and consumers across America;
  • Nectar, based in Chicago, a platform that drives innovation in food security by delivering food as medicine in partnership with charitable food organizations; and
  • RiseKit, based in Chicago, a software platform that empowers untapped talent to find jobs and improve their economic well-being and address social drivers of health through community-based organizations and job training programs

“At Grubhub, we are committed to creating meaningful change in the communities where we operate, with a focus on supporting our largest market, New York City, and hometown, Chicago. With the American Heart Association being equally committed as us in advancing food security, technology innovation, and economic resiliency, Grubhub is proud of this ongoing work, made possible by the Grubhub Community Fund, to support organizations advancing equitable health in New York City and Chicago,” said Brianna Morris, senior manager, community impact for Grubhub. “We are excited for the four organizations that have received financial support thus far, and we look forward to seeing how their communities are positively impacted.”

Organizations are selected for funding by the Social Impact Funds based on their promising solutions to address social drivers of health and local barriers to achieving equitable health. The Funds evaluate opportunities to identify innovative, evidence-based candidates that align with the American Heart Association’s mission and demonstrate the potential for lasting community impact.

Learn more about the Social Impact Funds at heart.org/socialimpactfunds.

Additional Resources:

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About Grubhub
Grubhub is a leading U.S. ordering and delivery marketplace dedicated to connecting customers with their favorite local restaurants, merchants and convenience retailers. Grubhub elevates online ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms, and an improved delivery experience. Part of Wonder Group, Grubhub features 375,000 merchants in over 4,000 U.S. cities.

About the American Heart Association®

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

About the American Heart Association Social Impact Funds 

The American Heart Association’s Social Impact Funds, including the Bernard J. Tyson Impact Fund, channel capital to small and medium-sized organizations that know their community best and whose ideas accelerate innovation to address local community and national health challenges. With a focus on improving health equity and expanding access to capital, the Funds support accessible, high quality health care, food security and economic empowerment. Since launching in 2018, the Funds have provided $21.5 million in financial support to more than 130 local enterprises to positively impact the well-being of nearly 5 million people. Learn more about our work at heart.org/socialimpactfunds.

Grubhub’s Delivery Drivers Help Direct $310,000 in Grant Funding to 56 Nonprofits through the Grubhub Community Fund

Grubhub’s driver community grant program positively impacted nonprofits, from coast to coast – in more than 25 cities across the United States

At Grubhub, we want to have a positive impact in the communities where we operate, while helping our drivers do the same. As a part of last year’s 20th anniversary celebration, we launched a new driver community grant program, made possible by the Grubhub Community Fund, to help our top delivery partners support nonprofit organizations that are doing good in their local communities. 

We had more than 240 of our top delivery partners participate in the program by nominating a nonprofit organization of their choice for a grant. Through this program, our delivery partners helped direct $310,000 to 56 nonprofit organizations in markets all across the country – Chicago, New York City, and more. 

In alignment with Grubhub’s own community impact focus areas, these organizations offer food and meal programs, provide workforce development training and programming, and operate community-based programs aimed at helping their communities thrive and supporting the overall well-being of individuals and families. 

Association House of Chicago; Chicago, IL

Funding will be used to help fund the 9-week Commercial Culinary Training Program, which is designed for justice-involved individuals and returning citizens. It provides 200 hours of intensive, in-person instruction that covers essential culinary skills, including kitchen standards, knife techniques, food preparation, and industry terminology with graduates earning a ServSafe Food Handler Certification, a credential that significantly enhances their employability in the food service industry.  

“I was the student of this organization which helped me get a job in a bank to pursue my career in finance. It was an 8 week program building skills needed in banking.” – Senthil I. 

Hope Foundation of Binghamton; Syracuse, NY 

Funding will be used to implement a workforce development component into the organization’s program, which can play a crucial role in supporting individuals in recovery. This work will focus on enhancing essential job skills through workshops, establishing partnerships with local businesses for internships and job placements, and offering ongoing mentorship. Specifically, the funding will cover training materials, staffing, and operational costs.

“The Hope Foundation of Binghamton provides a place to stay and programs for men and women who are dealing with tough situations like homelessness, drug addiction, or domestic violence. I’m not a volunteer, but I do interact with the participants and can testify of the hope that is given.” – Timothy E.  

Second Step Housing; Seattle, WA

Funding will be used to help people maintain stable housing, specifically by starting the Resident Retention Program to assist households that might be heading toward an eviction. The program will help connect residents with the resources needed to retain their housing, work with residents to address housing challenges, and provide resident assistance in addressing lease violations that could result in an eviction. 

“I was helped during a very difficult time in my life, and have a very successful life today because of programs like Second Step Housing that help so many areas of a person’s life, such as housing, education, finance, and employment preparation.” – Angela H. 

NNEMAP Food Pantry; Columbus, OH

Funding will be used to help purchase an expanded selection of nutritious foods, including fresh fruits, vegetables, proteins, and culturally relevant items, in addition to supporting a refrigerated locker system allowing families to access food outside traditional pantry hours, reducing logistical barriers and increasing convenience. Funding will also support food delivery services, for those who are unable to go to the food pantry in-person. 

“I helped volunteer for this food pantry a few years ago. They started to create a delivery system to get food to people who were not able to drive to the pantry. Everyone there was really nice and any questions I had they were more than happy to answer them”. – Christian T.

3 Betties Foundation, Inc; Greensboro, WV

Funding will be used to provide babysitting services for families dealing with a cancer diagnosis, specifically to help out when they have to go to doctor appointments. Families will have the ability to reach out to the program, which will help them schedule a sitter.

“I love this organization and everything they stand for in their mission. They assist individuals diagnosed with any type of cancer in the state of West Virginia with resources, financial help during treatment, support after treatment, and anything in between that an individual might need while going through treatment or after diagnosis. I volunteer any chance I get and also support any activity that they hold because they helped me and my family while I was going through my breast cancer diagnosis several years ago.” – Tabitha A.

Full List of Grantees 

$10,000 Grantees*

  • Alliance to End Hunger
  • American Heart Association Social Impact Fund
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of America
  • Food Bank For New York City
  • Greater Chicago Food Depository 
  • World Central Kitchen

*These organizations received multiple delivery partner nominations 

$5,000 Grantees

  • 3 Betties Foundation, Inc; Greensboro, WV
    • Nominated by Tabitha A. 
  • Angels Community Outreach; Trenton, NJ 
    • Nominated by Johnny M.
  • Association House of Chicago; Chicago, IL 
    • Nominated by Senthil I. 
  • Baltimore Children & Youth Fund, Inc; Baltimore, MD
    • Nominated by Ryan S. 
  • Beyond Shelter Frederick; Baltimore, MD
    • Nominated by Andrew S.
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters of Long Island; NYC, NY
    • Nominated by Pengfei X.
  • Boys & Girls Clubs of Northeastern Pennsylvania; Scranton, PN
    • Nominated by Michael S.
  • Bridge Over Troubled Waters; Boston, MA
    • Nominated by Guilherme S. 
  • CAMBA, Inc; NYC, NY
    • Nominated by Wynter S.
  • Casa de Esperanza; Omaha, NE
    • Nominated by Licet A.
  • ChildFund International; Chicago, IL 
    • Nominated by Sabah H. 
  • Children of Promise NYC; NYC, NY
    • Nominated by Stephane K. 
  • Christian Herald Association, Inc. DBA The Bowery Mission; NYC, NY
    • Nominated by Madou D.
  • Community Action Service Center dba Rise; Trenton, NJ
    • Nominated by James H. 
  • Community Service Center of Morgan County Inc. dba WellSpring; Indianapolis, IN
    • Nominated by Jodi A. 
  • Covenant House California; Los Angeles, CA 
    • Nominated by DeBreshadon H.
  • Dion’s Chicago Dream Inc NFP; Chicago, IL 
    • Nominated by Tiffany W.
  • FamilyFarmed dba The Good Food Catalyst; Chicago, IL 
    • Nominated by Adeeb M. 
  • Friends of the Children New York; NYC, NY
    • Nominated by Mamadou M. 
  • God’s Love We Deliver; NYC, NY
    • Nominated by Adesoji A.
  • Good Shepherd Services; NYC, NY
    • Nominated by Shawn C. 
  • Green Team Helping Hands; Greensboro, NC
    • Nominated by Crystal M. 
  • Hays County Food Bank; Houston, TX
    • Nominated by James S. 
  • Hope Foundation of Binghamton; Syracuse, NY
    • Nominated by Timothy E. 
  • House of Hope; Miami, FL
    • Nominated by Robbin D.
  • Mama’s Kitchen; San Diego, CA
    • Nominated by Manuel F.
  • Marion County Veterans Helping Veterans Inc; Orlando, FL
    • Nominated by Larry B.
  • Meals on Wheels West; Los Angeles, CA
    • Nominated by Ramil S.
  • NNEMAP Food Pantry; Columbus, OH
    • Nominated by Christian T.
  • Ozarks Food Harvest; Kansas City, MO
    • Nominated by Lorelei V. 
  • PORYALMA INC; NYC, NY
    • Nominated by Boukari T.
  • Realities For Children; Denver, CO
    • Nominated by Matthew W.
  • Rescuing Leftover Cuisine; NYC, NY
    • Nominated by Forhad A.
  • Roadrunner Food Bank; Albuquerque, NM
    • Nominated by Melissa J.
  • Ronald McDonald House Charities of Oklahoma City, Inc; Oklahoma City, OK
    • Nominated by Sharie H.
  • Sacramento Loaves & Fishes; Sacramento, CA
    • Nominated by Jason K.
  • San Francisco Food Bank; San Francisco, CA
    • Nominated by Zhiqiang D.
  • Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana; New Orleans, LA
    • Nominated by Atakan D.
  • Second Step Housing; Seattle, WA
    • Nominated by Angela H.
  • Student’s Clothing Bank DBA “Locker #505: Student’s Clothing Bank; Albuquerque, NM
    • Nominated by Terri T.
  • The Bakari Foundation; Chicago, IL 
    • Nominated by Guljemal H.
  • The Compton Initiative; Los Angeles, CA
    • Nominated by Washington S.
  • The Midnight Mission; NYC, NY
    • Nominated by Vi L. 
  • The Opportunity Center; Orlando, FL
    • Nominated by Hilda G.
  • UA3, Inc; NYC, NY
    • Nominated by Jing J. 
  • United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County, Inc; Charlotte, NC
    • Nominated by Joseph J. 
  • United Way of Metropolitan Chicago; Chicago, IL 
    • Nominated by Hamza S.
  • Urban Food Initiative dba Daily Table; Boston, MA
    • Nominated by Mahmoud S.
  • Visalia Rescue Mission; Fresno, CA
    • Nominated by Nate G.
  • Youth Villages; Atlanta, GA
    • Nominated by Sandee A.

Grubhub Community Fund’s Full Plate Program to Provide up to $650,000 in Microgrants to NYC Nonprofits – Now Accepting Applications

Last year, Grubhub launched the Full Plate Program, made possible by the Grubhub Community Fund*, in our hometown to promote collective action in closing the hunger gap in Chicago and help ensure our neighbors have regular access to food and meal services.

This holiday season, the Full Plate Program is supporting local organizations working to close the hunger gap in New York City. This will help the nearly 1.3 million New Yorkers experiencing food insecurity – the lack of consistent access to adequate, nutritious food. 

The Full Plate Program will support nonprofits in Food Bank for New York City’s (FBNYC) Member Network with grants of up to $10,000 each. The microgrant program will be administered in partnership with FBNYC, and Grubhub’s goal is to recommend up to $650,00 in grants through the Grubhub Community Fund.

Interested nonprofits can apply now through Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Applications will be evaluated based on need, impact, and demonstration of fiscal responsibility. Organizations approved for funding will be announced in February 2025.

Grubhub is committed to supporting local, community-driven programs that deliver nutritious food and beverages to individuals and families in need. Through our partnership with FBNYC, we are working to ensure more people have access to the essential nourishment they deserve. 

Apply today at https://grubhub.smapply.io/

Three Restauranteurs Awarded $25,000 Grants from the Grubhub Community Fund at the AAPISTRONG Annual Conference

September 4, Santa Clara, CA – The National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE) and Grubhub, a leading third-party delivery  marketplace, announced three recipients of $25,000 grants given by the AAPISTRONG/Grubhub Community Impact Grant Program.

Native Fields, Nom Wah Nolita, and Pho Loan, serving communities in Walnut, CA, New York, NY, and Chicago, IL respectively, were granted $25,000 each at the AAPISTRONG Annual Conference in Santa Clara on September 15, 2024. These small business owners are among the recipients of the $9 million in grants generated by National ACE in the last four years, funding made possible by the Grubhub Community Fund

This particular grant initiative underscores the importance of supporting AAPI-owned restaurants, which play a vital role in enriching our culinary landscape and fostering community connections. As the industry faces ongoing economic challenges, this funding empowers AAPI restaurateurs to elevate their businesses through initiatives such as infrastructure improvements, e-commerce advancements, employee benefits, and streamlined operations. This support not only helps AAPI entrepreneurs secure their futures but also fosters vibrant community spaces.

“Our AAPI-owned restaurants have shown incredible resilience and creativity in overcoming challenges,” said Chiling Tong, President & CEO of National ACE. “Grubhub’s support through this grant is essential. It empowers restaurant owners to grow and succeed, while also preserving the cultural and economic vitality of our communities.”

“We continue to be proud of our outstanding partnership with National ACE and the ACE Foundation,” said Dave Tovar, SVP of Communications and Government Relations at Grubhub. “Over the last four years, the AAPIStrong Restaurant Fund, which is made possible by the Grubhub Community Fund, has provided more than 520 restaurant grants across the country. This funding, as well as our other restaurant-focused programs, provide the critical support family-owned businesses need to sustain, grow, and thrive for years to come.”

A comprehensive list of the 170 grant winners include outstanding establishments from across the nation:

  • 2D Restaurant – Chicago, Illinois

  • 7 Elephants – New York, New York

  • A Taste of the Philippines – Chicago, Illinois

  • Adobo – Decatur, Georgia

  • Amber Agave – Brooklyn, New York

  • Anna’s Vegan Cafe – Sacramento, California

  • Aroy Thai – Chicago, Illinois

  • As Thai Cuisine – Keller, Texas

  • Asian Fusion Cafe – Dunwoody, Georgia

  • Asian Station – Chicago, Illinois

  • Auntie’s Cafe – Gardena, California

  • Bachan’s Takeout – Monterey Park, California

  • Bacogai – Alameda, California

  • Banh Mi Oi – Boston, Massachusetts

  • Barrel & Bacon – Seattle, Washington

  • Bessou – New York, New York

  • Big Ben’s Pizzeria – Houston, Texas

  • Big Pot and Grill – Appleton, Wisconsin

  • Blood Bros. BBQ – Bellaire, Texas

  • Blue Hawaii Lifestyle – Honolulu, Hawaii

  • Boiling Boys – Palisades Park, New Jersey

  • Bold Dumpling – Annandale, Virginia

  • Bonjour Banh Mi & Tea – Morrisville, North Carolina

  • Boonie’s Filipino Restaurant – Chicago, Illinois

  • Botani Cafe – Brooklyn, New York

  • Cafe Himalaya – New York, New York

  • Càphê Roasters – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  • Chef Tony – Arcadia, California

  • Chick-n-Beer – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

  • Chili House – Rancho Cucamonga, California

  • China Chef Bistro – Phoenix, Arizona

  • Chinese Delicacy Restaurant – Portland, Oregon

  • Cho Dang House – Fort Lee, New Jersey

  • Choose and Mix Korean Food & Hibachi Grill – Worcester, Massachusetts

  • Clear Lake Market – Clear Lake, Washington

  • Colleen’s Ice Cream and Sandwich Shop – Medford, Massachusetts

  • Colonial Food Farm Market – Trenton, New Jersey

  • Cowboys & Indians – Houston, Texas

  • Cupcakes, BOOM! – Hilo, Hawaii

  • Dan’s Seafood and Wings – Houston, Texas

  • Dang Boba, Poke & Banh Mi – Peoria, Illinois

  • Dao Thai Restaurant – Chicago, Illinois

  • Dave Wong’s Restaurant & Deli – Stockton, California

  • Dear Bella Creamery – Los Angeles, California

  • Djakarta Cafe – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  • Drip Collective – Chicago, Illinois

  • El Raval – Austin, Texas

  • Estrellita – Atlanta, Georgia

  • Folk – Detroit, Michigan

  • Free Spirited Lounge – Alhambra, California

  • Fresh Off Da Boat by Chef T – Sacramento, California

  • Game Theory Restaurant – Fort Worth, Texas

  • Gathers Tea Bar – Chicago, Illinois

  • Good Fortune Company – Memphis, Tennessee

  • Good Morning Donuts – Moore, Oklahoma

  • GrindWitTryz – Portland, Oregon

  • Hahm Ji Bach – New York, New York

  • Hainan Chicken House – Chicago, Illinois

  • Handsome Rice – New York, New York

  • Harana Market – Accord, New York

  • Harmony Coffee Bar – Highland Park, Illinois

  • Heirloom Boba – Westbury, New York

  • Herb – Chicago, Illinois

  • Hood Famous Cafe + Bar – Seattle, Washington

  • Humble Cafe – Williston Park, New York

  • Italian Express – Chicago, Illinois

  • J-Shop – Honolulu, Hawaii

  • Jan Parker Cookery – Tacoma, Washington

  • Jang Su – Sacramento, California

  • Joy Noodles and Asian Cuisine – West Palm Beach, Florida

  • Juanita’s Polynesian Delights – Newark, California

  • July Moon Bakery & Café – Alpharetta, Georgia

  • Kaizen Shabu – Santa Ana, California

  • Kameya – Chicago, Illinois

  • Kanaka Kava – Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

  • Kandahar Grill – Hicksville, New York

  • Kapitan – Chicago, Illinois

  • Kin Khao Thai and Sushi – Valparaiso, Indiana

  • Kingchops Irvine – Irvine, California

  • Koffeteria – Houston, Texas

  • Kokio Chicken and Beer – Oakland Gardens, New York

  • Korai Kitchen – Jersey City, New Jersey

  • Last Call – Springville, Utah

  • Little Palace – Madison, Wisconsin

  • Martabak OK – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  • Master Shin Korean Plate – San Jose, California

  • Mawn – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  • Mee Sum Coffee Shop – New York, New York

  • Meet Bowl – Marietta, Georgia

  • Milktopia – San Francisco, California

  • Minahasa – Chicago, Illinois

  • Miso&Nori – Chicago, Illinois

  • Mister Mao – New Orleans, Louisiana

  • MITK Kitchen – Hayward, California

  • Mom’s Bistro – Tacoma, Washington

  • Momo’s Cafe – Washington, District of Columbia

  • Morning Glass Coffee – Honolulu, Hawaii

  • Namaste Cafe – Minneapolis, Minnesota

  • Native Fields – Walnut, California

  • Nepali Bhanchha Ghar Restaurant – Jackson Heights, New York

  • New Hong Kong Bakery – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

  • NG Cafe – Austin, Texas

  • Nhinja Express – Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

  • Nom Wah Nolita – New York, New York

  • Nomad – Hillsborough, North Carolina

  • Novel Pizza Cafe – Chicago, Illinois

  • Nudibranch – New York, New York

  • Ocha Tea Cafe & Restaurant – Mountain View, California

  • Oh My Curry – Mesquite, Texas

  • Okonomi Asian Grill – Fairfax, Virginia

  • Oming’s Kitchen – Las Vegas, Nevada

  • Ono Sushi – Las Vegas, Nevada

  • Parachute HiFi – Chicago, Illinois

  • Pasteur Grill & Noodles – New York, New York

  • Pata Paplean – Elmhurst, New York

  • Pho King Rapidos – Denver, Colorado

  • Pho Loan – Chicago, Illinois

  • Pizza Heaven – Fullerton, California

  • Poke by Love Art – Boston, Massachusetts

  • Pokeramen – Port Hueneme, California

  • Q Bakehouse & Market – Ann Arbor, Michigan

  • Qusqo, Los Angeles, California

  • Rabbit House Omakase & Sake Bar – New York, New York

  • Rasoi Indian Kitchen – North Bay Village, Florida

  • Rebecca’s Café – Carson, California

  • Roebling Pizza – Brooklyn, New York

  • Royal Garden + Everest Cafe – Glendale, Wisconsin

  • Sachi Ramen and Robata Bar – Santa Barbara, California

  • Sagaponack – New York, New York

  • Saigon Baguette Vietnamese Sandwich & Pho – Melbourne, Florida

  • Sayuri Sushi Bar – Chicago, Illinois

  • Seoul Soondae – Annandale, Virginia

  • Serai – Chicago, Illinois

  • Short N Sweet Bakery & Cafe – Hilo, Hawaii

  • Shuggie’s – San Francisco, California

  • Simply Thalia – Chicago, Illinois

  • Spinzer Restaurant – Chicago, Illinois

  • SquareRoots Kava Lounge – Orem, Utah

  • Star of Siam – Chicago, Illinois

  • SUGOi Sweets – Chicago, Illinois

  • Sum Bar – Greenville, South Carolina

  • Sunday Dreamin’ – New York, New York

  • Sweet Grass Sugarcane Juice – Long Beach, California

  • Sweet Pipers – Pinole, California

  • Takie Outit – Chicago, Illinois

  • Tandoor Char House – Chicago, Illinois

  • Taste of Asia – Alexandria, Virginia

  • Taste of Asia – Asheboro, North Carolina

  • Tasty Doux Bakery – Kent, Washington

  • Tender Green Chinese Kitchen – Vancouver, Washington

  • Teriyaki Plus – Shoreline, Washington

  • Thai Pastry – Chicago, Illinois

  • Thai Zest – Washington, District of Columbia

  • Thailicious – New York, New York

  • The Boba Plug – Garland, Texas

  • The Detour – San Francisco, California

  • The Granola House – Lihue, Hawaii

  • The Oven Pizzeria – Seaside, California

  • Time Bistro – Seattle, Washington

  • Traveler’s Alehouse – Fairhaven, Massachusetts

  • Two Little Dumplings – Selkirk, New York

  • Uncle Clay’s House of Pure Aloha – Honolulu, Hawaii

  • Uncle Mike’s Place – Chicago, Illinois

  • Verandah – Houston, Texas

  • Verzenay Chicago – Chicago, Illinois

  • Waikiki Gangnam Style – Honolulu, Hawaii

  • WHIRED Wine – Sacramento, California

  • White Springs Cafe – Arcadia, California

  • Wo Hop – New York, New York

  • Zabb PuTawn – New York, New York

###

About National ACE

National ACE serves as a strong advocate for AAPI business interests, promoting positive change that enhances the goals of AAPI entrepreneurs and leaders. With over 100 affiliate chambers and partnerships nationwide, National ACE champions issues that impact the AAPI business community.

About Grubhub

Grubhub is part of Just Eat Takeaway.com (LSE: JET, AMS: TKWY), and is a leading U.S. food ordering and delivery marketplace. Dedicated to connecting diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub elevates food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms, and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub features 375,000 merchants in over 4,000 U.S. cities.

Grubhub, Oyate Group, and New York State Latino Restaurant, Bar & Lounge Association Award Nearly $200,000 in Grants to Restaurateurs

The funding awarded by the “Rising Restaurateur: A Community Grant Program” will support and strengthen local Latino, Black, Indigenous and AAPI restaurateurs in New York City 

NEW YORK – Aug. 6, 2024—On Monday, Aug. 5, Grubhub, Oyate Group and the New York State Latino Restaurant, Bar & Lounge Association (NYSLRBLA) announced 30 restaurants from Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The Bronx and Westchester County as the inaugural recipients of “Rising Restaurateur: A Community Grant Program.” Each restaurateur was awarded a $6,500 microgrant and will receive business development training provided by the anti-poverty nonprofit Oyate Group in an effort to support independent Latino, Black, Indigenous and AAPI restaurateurs.

“The Rising Restaurateur grant program is a lifeline for our city’s small and minority-owned restaurants, helping them cover essential costs, invest in growth and drive innovation, said Sandra Jaquez, president of the New York State Latino Restaurant, Bar & Lounge Association. “With this critical funding, restaurants will have the opportunity to better serve their communities and support positive change in our industry. We are immensely grateful to Grubhub and Oyate for their unwavering support and partnership.”

NYSLRBLA President Sandra Jaquez hosted an award ceremony at her Italian restaurant, Il Sole, where representatives of Grubhub, Oyate Group and NYSLRBLA, as well as members of Congress, NYC Council, and the Chambers of Commerce, offered remarks congratulating the local and independent restaurateurs who serve as the backbone of New York City’s local economy. Notable guests in attendance included U.S. Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) and representatives from New York State Assemblymember Manny De Los Santos’ office (Assembly Dis. 72). 

“We at Oyate Group are proud to have been able to invigorate thirty independent restaurants at the heart of our communities with the help of our invaluable partners,” said Tomas Ramos, president, CEO and founder of Oyate Group. “Latino, Black, Indigenous and AAPI restaurateurs make New York City one of the most diverse and vibrant culinary capitals in the world, which is why it is so important to provide them with the financial support and guidance they need to thrive and continue uplifting our neighborhoods.” 

Rising Restaurateur is a partnership between Oyate Group, a nonprofit with the mission to alleviate poverty, Grubhub, an online food delivery marketplace, and NYSLRBLA, a nonprofit organization founded to create opportunities for Latino and minority businesses to succeed in the food and beverage industry. Oyate Group and Grubhub have pledged to continue funding the program annually until 2026. 

“The 2024 Rising Restaurateur grant recipients, like the majority of the restaurants that Grubhub serves, are small and medium-sized businesses that we believe are critical players in neighborhoods and communities across NYC,” said Brett Swanson head of Community Affairs at Grubhub. “Supporting independent restaurants is a primary focus for Grubhub’s community impact work, and we are honored to help give these 30 small businesses an extra boost to help sustain and grow their operations.”

The complete list of the 2024 Rising Restaurateur grant recipients listed by borough is as follows:

  • The Bronx: Rosa’s At Park, Mon Amour Coffee & Wine, Cafe Colonial Restaurant and Grill, La Cocina de Yala LLC, Chocobar Cortes, Colima Taqueria
  • Brooklyn: Taqueria el Patron Mexican Grill, Salud Bar & Grill, Halsey Ale House, Hello Bar LLC, Mez En Place, Citrico
  • Manhattan: Tabu Restaurant, EL Jefe, Il Posto Accanto, 7 Henshaw Inc, Bocaditos Bistro, Indian Summer Harlem, Pate Palo Bar & Grill, Healthy in Dyckman Juice Bar and Cafe
  • Queens: Turkish Grill, Flamingo, Fonda La Consentida, Mojitos Restaurant Bar, Bramo’s Express, Multisweet LIC, Canas Restaurant and Bar Corp, Bocaito Café, The Nourish Spot
  • Westchester: El Cantito Café

For more information about Rising Restaurateur, please visit https://oyategroup.org/rising-restaurateur. For any media inquiries about Rising Restaurateur, please contact Emiliano Garcia at (917) 446-7571 or emiliano@thetascgroup.com. 

About Oyate Group
Oyate Group is a Bronx-based nonprofit with the mission to alleviate poverty through sustainable and holistic solutions that empower underserved communities across New York City and close resource gaps for New Yorkers. Oyate Group’s programs and initiatives focus on youth development, small business empowerment, food accessibility, gun violence prevention and more. Oyate Group is nationally recognized for vaccinating over 40,000 New Yorkers at the height of the pandemic, its one-of-a-kind paid internship program for undocumented youth, a small business incubator offering up to $50,000 to local entrepreneurs, a $20,000 scholarship for Bronx youth headed to college, a leadership program for high schoolers, annual turkey giveaways, backpack giveaways and gun buyback programs. For more information, visit OyateGroup.org, and follow Oyate Group on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.

About Grubhub

Grubhub opened its doors in Chicago in 2004, founded on the belief that it could create opportunities for local businesses to grow by connecting food from the best restaurants with the people who love it most. Over the past two decades, Grubhub has supported two billion orders and served nearly 100 million consumers while providing delivery partners with opportunities to earn. Today, Grubhub is a part of Just Eat Takeaway.com (LSE: JET, AMS: TKWY), featuring 375,000 restaurant, convenience and grocery merchants in over 4,000 U.S. cities.

About New York State Latino Restaurant, Bar & Lounge Association

The NYS Latino Restaurant, Bar & Lounge Association (“NYSLRBLA”) is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization founded for the purpose of helping Hispanic and minority businesses succeed in commerce and industry, particularly, that of the food and beverage industry. NYSLRBLA is one of the largest business organizations of its kind with over 350 restaurant members to date, ranging from individual Latino businessmen/women owning fast food establishments to gourmet larger restaurants to lounges and bars within the tri-state area.

Showing Up for Independent Restaurants During Small Business Month and Beyond

With more than 355,000 restaurant partners in over 4,000 U.S. cities, connecting hungry diners with local restaurants is at the heart of what Grubhub does. Grounded firmly in our small business beginnings, our platform would not be possible without our independent restaurant partners that work day-in and day-out to feed their local communities. 

It’s our mission to help strengthen small business’ roots, deepen their connections, and increase the positive impact they have on their neighbors and society. As people across the country recognize Small Business Month this May, we celebrate our independent restaurant partners who are the lifeblood of their local communities and double down on the ways we support small businesses to help them grow and thrive for years to come. 

How we help restaurant partners reach new customers 

Grubhub connects independent restaurants on our platform with new diners through our marketing and advertising services. It’s already tough for small businesses to compete with the big chains and their bigger ad budgets. But during the pandemic, it became even more challenging to stand out when nearly 100 jurisdictions passed laws limiting the marketing services restaurants could opt into on third-party delivery apps, putting smaller, mom-and-pop businesses at a major disadvantage. While most of these Covid-era restrictions have expired, one does remain – in New York City. Grubhub supports the NYC Council’s recent compromise proposal to finally ease these restrictions – the only such restrictions left in the country – and give NYC’s small businesses the flexibility to choose how they grow and reach new customers. 

Beatrice Ajaero, Owner of Nneji in Queens, opened her brick and mortar in 2020 as a “groc-rant model” – part grocery store, which offers pantry items from around the globe, and part restaurant serving plant-based West African cuisine. Opening during the pandemic, Nneji had to rely heavily on third-party delivery from the beginning – helping give the family-business a competitive presence in a sea of restaurants. 

“When we joined the platform, Grubhub became our in-house marketer, advertiser and deliverer. Otherwise, we could not have afforded these services,” said Ajaero. Since opening four years ago, Ajaero continues to see the power of Grubhub’s tools and service. “In addition to delivery, Grubhub helps us reach new customers through its marketing and advertising support, and provides us data on our orders. It’s a really helpful tool to learn about customer preference  – we see what menu items our diners are trying and when they are placing orders.” 

Thanks to her partnership with Grubhub, Ajaero is hopeful for the future of her restaurant and is optimistic that she will continue making an impact on her local community. “As a family-owned business, third-party delivery services are a worthwhile investment because they provide so many opportunities to share our food with the community,” said Ajaero. “To me, Grubhub is a lifeline for independent restaurants. Once the City’s cap on marketing services is relaxed, I can only imagine how many new customers we’ll be able to reach.”

How we help restaurant partners improve their operations

We also support our restaurants by investing in partnerships and programs that allow us to create access to capital and offer business development opportunities for local, family-owned businesses. Throughout the year, we support several grant programs in partnership with diverse business and community-based organizations to help independent restaurants grow and thrive in their local communities.

Julie Kim, Co-owner of Parklife Taqueria in Brooklyn, opened her original restaurant concept in 2017, and immediately started using Grubhub to deliver and market their artfully crafted tacos and other Mexican-inspired staples with Iranian and Texan influence. “It was challenging to open a restaurant, but Grubhub was super helpful in growing the business and helping diners understand our fusion menu through their marketing services,” said Kim. 

The pandemic created challenges for the restaurant, forcing Parklife to close. Today, Kim still experiences the impact of shutting down her restaurant. While expanded options for delivery helped keep the orders coming in, Kim had to furlough staff, working with only two people onsite. The rising food and utility costs in New York also made it hard to maintain the restaurant. Even after partnering with Grubhub to make deliveries easier, one challenge remained: educating new customers on the restaurant’s fusion menu.

Parklife’s luck started to turn when Kim received a grant from Grubhub and the National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship (ACE) in 2023, to revitalize the business. The funding allowed the restaurant to maintain operations, pay utilities, keep its staff and buy supplies. “Many small businesses don’t have the opportunity to receive funding outside for loans, so I was delightfully surprised and grateful to learn Parklife could receive a grant as a for-profit business,” said Kim. 

As we celebrate small businesses like Nneji and Parklife this month, the following grant programs are currently open and eligible independent restaurants can apply today: 

 

$1.2 Million in Grants for AAPI-Owned Restaurants from Grubhub and The National ACE

Independent restaurants across the country can apply for a grant up to $25,000 through the AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund, made possible by the Grubhub Community Fund

WASHINGTON, DC – The National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship (National ACE) is kicking off the fourth year of the AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund to support independent, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)-owned restaurants, a program made possible by the Grubhub Community Fund. This funding presents an opportunity for AAPI-owned restaurants to thrive amid a season of economic setbacks. By upgrading technology, increasing outreach, expanding offerings, and providing support to employees, businesses will be able to reach their next level of growth and continue to give back to their small business communities.

“Since the launch of AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund three years ago, National ACE has distributed over $5 million to 351 AAPI restaurant owners nationwide,” said Chiling Tong, President and CEO of National ACE. “Thanks to the Grubhub Community Fund, our restaurant owners were able to hire new staff, repair and expand their dining space, replace old kitchen equipment, retain a marketing company, purchase a building for their business, and more. We are pleased to partner with Grubhub again to continue our mission to support and impact more AAPI restaurateurs.”

Eligible restaurants across the country will be able to apply for grants ranging from $5,000 – $25,000, with three restaurant owners receiving a grand prize of $25,000 live at the National ACE’s #AAPISTRONG Annual Conference in Santa Clara, California on September 4, 2024.

“In our fourth year of partnering with the National ACE, Grubhub is proud to continue our investment in helping AAPI-owned restaurants sustain and expand their businesses through the AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund,” said Dave Tovar, Senior Vice President of Communications & Government Relations at Grubhub. “We know better than anyone the important role restaurants play within their communities, and Grubhub is committed to helping diverse independent restaurants extend their positive impact where they serve. We look forward to seeing how this year’s grant recipients will strengthen their businesses and communities with the funds they receive.”

The AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund will accept grant applications from AAPI-owned restaurants throughout the United States from May 1 to May 31, 2024 or when there are 5,000 applicants – whichever comes first.

Eligibility Criteria:

  1. The restaurant must be Asian American/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian majority-owned (at least 51%);

  2. Must be based in the United States;

  3. Must be currently operational;

  4. Must be a for-profit business;

  5. Must show proof of their primary licensed activity as “the preparation and serving of food”;

  6. Operates in a single location;

  7. Cannot be a franchise;

  8. Must demonstrate financial need;

  9. Funds must be used towards growth and expansion of the business;

  10. Must demonstrate community impact (i.e. culture/community, hiring, charitable/philanthropic efforts, etc.)

  11. Priority will be given to first time grant applicants;

  12. For grand prize finalists, you must be able to attend our Annual Conference in Santa Clara, CA on September 4. Flight vouchers and hotel accommodations will be provided via National ACE for the three grand prize finalists.

Applications will be accepted from 12am ET on May 1, 2024, through 11:59 p.m. ET on May 31, 2024 via www.AAPISTRONG.com

***Please note that due to the program’s high demand, the application portal will close once we have  received 5,000 applications, even if that occurs before the May 31 deadline, so we highly encourage small business owners to apply as early as possible.***

Grants will be distributed to restaurants by December 2024. Interested restaurants can learn more about the AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund and the full application process at https://www.aapistrong.com/current-grants

About National ACE

National ACE’s mission is to serve as a strong advocate of AAPI business interests and effect positive change on all issues that enhance and advance the goals and aspirations of AAPI business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders. With over 120 affiliate chambers of commerce and AAPI organization partners throughout the country, National ACE strives to support and promote issues that impact the AAPI business community by improving economic development and impact, advancing coalitions and enhancing community building, and fostering the next generation of AAPI entrepreneurs and executives. National ACE provides a unified voice for the business interests of AAPIs nationally. Learn more at:  www.nationalace.org.

About Grubhub

Grubhub is part of Just Eat Takeaway.com (LSE: JET, AMS: TKWY, NASDAQ: GRUB), a leading global online food delivery marketplace. Dedicated to connecting more than 32 million diners with the food they love from their favorite local restaurants, Grubhub elevates food ordering through innovative restaurant technology, easy-to-use platforms and an improved delivery experience. Grubhub features more than 365,000 restaurant partners in over 4,000 U.S. cities.