News Tag: Support

Grubhub and National ACE to Award $485,000 in Grants Through Restaurant Accelerator and Community Fund Grant

Grubhub and the National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE), are proud to announce the opening of applications for the 2025 Restaurant Accelerator and Community Fund Grant, a program made possible by grant support from the Grubhub Community Fund.

From October 1 to October 24, small, independent restaurants across the United States can apply for the chance to join a program designed to spark growth, innovation, and long-term success. Applicants who attend at least three of National ACE’s expert-led virtual Restaurant Accelerator sessions in November will be eligible to receive a $5,000 Community Fund Grant to invest directly in their business.

The program is open to U.S.-based small, for-profit restaurants that are currently operational and licensed in food preparation and service. While the grant is open to all eligible businesses, we encourage Asian American and Pacific Islander restaurateurs operating in economically disadvantaged areas to apply. For a full list of eligibility requirements, please visit: nationalace.org.

Important Dates

● Registration Opens: Oct 1, 2025

● Registration Deadline: Oct 24, 2025

● Virtual Accelerator Sessions: Nov 4, 12, 18 & 25, 2025

● Grant Recipients Announced: Nov 25, 2025

This partnership builds on the lasting impact of Grubhub and National ACE’s shared commitment to small business success. Through National ACE’s Small Business Fund, the organizations distributed $1.3 million in grants to 170 businesses in 2024 alone, providing critical support amid ongoing economic challenges. Since 2021, over $9 million in grants have empowered entrepreneurs in the communities that need it most – a testament to the strength and impact of this partnership.

“Independent restaurants are vital to the success of local economies,” said Brianna Morris, Associate Director of Community Impact at Grubhub. “By partnering with National ACE, we’re combining funding with hands-on training to help small businesses build resilience, expand their reach, and position themselves for long-term growth.”

Chiling Tong, President and CEO of National ACE, added: “Our collaboration with Grubhub demonstrates the power of partnership in driving economic growth. Together, we are equipping small business owners with both the capital and the expertise they need to scale, strengthen operations, and create lasting impact in their communities.”

Restaurant owners can learn more and apply at https://www.nationalace.org/2025-restaurant-accelerator-grant.

Grubhub Marks Hunger Action Month by Expanding Support to Combat Food Insecurity in Chicago and New York City

At Grubhub, closing the hunger gap is a key focus of our community impact efforts. Through the Grubhub Community Fund, we work to reduce food insecurity, recover and redirect food that would otherwise go to waste, and support the organizations leading this fight. 

This September, in recognition of Hunger Action Month, we deepened our impact in New York City and Chicago with volunteer events, matching grants, and ongoing support for the Food Bank for New York City and Greater Chicago Food Depository — two organizations that each partner with 800+ pantries and community groups to reach families in need. Together, more than 110 Grubhub employees packed over 20,000 pounds of food, and the Grubhub Community Fund amplified their efforts with $100,000 in matching grants across both cities.

“After years of partnering with the Food Bank for NYC and the Greater Chicago Food Depository during Hunger Action Month, I’m proud we continue to find new ways to strengthen these relationships and drive meaningful impact to combat food insecurity,” said Brianna Morris, associate director of community impact at Grubhub. “Launching employee volunteer days in both NYC and Chicago has been especially rewarding. It’s inspiring to see our team step into the community, lend a hand, and deepen their understanding of the difference this work makes to help close the hunger gap.” 

Across our offices, teams rolled up their sleeves for volunteer days that brought employees into the heart of the fight against food insecurity. In New York, employees gathered at Food Bank For NYC’s Distribution Center in the Bronx, and in Chicago, they headed to the Greater Chicago Food Depository headquarters — repacking food at both organizations. Together, these efforts helped ensure thousands of meals reached families, seniors, and individuals who needed them most.

“The Grubhub Community Fund plays a powerful role in fighting food insecurity,” said Leslie Gordon, President and CEO of Food Bank For NYC. “Their commitment to our mission and continued support of our member agency network is especially visible during Hunger Action Month but felt and appreciated by Food Bank For NYC and our clients every day.”

In addition to hands-on support, the Grubhub Community Fund provided $50,000 matching grants to both organizations — doubling last year’s support in Chicago and powering Food Bank For NYC’s September fundraising campaign. These funds helped strengthen programmatic and operational efforts like community outreach, prepared meals programs, and distribution to local shelters supporting newly arrived migrant families.

“We are deeply grateful for the ongoing support and partnership of Grubhub, particularly in this moment of heightened need,” said Kate Maehr, Executive Director and CEO of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. “The generous support from the Grubhub Community Fund is a true reflection of our shared commitment to uplifting local communities and ensuring that no neighbor goes hungry. Together, we are making a difference.”

With the support of the Grubhub Community Fund, we’re proud to stand alongside organizations like Food Bank for NYC and the Greater Chicago Food Depository as they lead the fight against hunger. Together, we’re taking meaningful action – through funding, partnership, and hands-on volunteerism – to help close the hunger gap in the communities we call home.

*The Grubhub Community Fund is a donor-advised fund at a national sponsoring organization. The Fund is funded by diner donations that come 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.

Grubhub and Nourishing Hope Expand Partnership to Combat Food Insecurity Across Chicago

CHICAGO, IL –  Grubhub, a leading U.S. ordering and delivery marketplace, has expanded its partnership with Nourishing Hope, one of Chicago’s leading hunger relief and social service organizations, to support families facing food insecurity in some of the city’s most underserved neighborhoods.

Since 2021, Grubhub has been one of Nourishing Hope’s largest corporate partners, donating more than 150 hours of employee volunteer time and contributing over $1.15 million through the Grubhub Community Fund to support the organization’s expanding programs. The most recent Grubhub Community Fund grant, which supported the donation of a delivery truck, marks a significant investment in operational infrastructure that will accelerate the growth of Nourishing Hope’s Online Market program.

As part of this investment, the newly donated delivery truck will be on-site at the Chicago Cubs’ inaugural Oktoberfest, taking place September 19–21 at the Toyota Camry Lot in Wrigleyville. In partnership with the Cubs, Nourishing Hope will be collecting nonperishable food donations throughout the three-day event, with fans encouraged to drop off items at the Nourishing Hope tent.

“We’re honored to partner with Grubhub to bring greater food access to families across Chicago. This partnership helps us reach more people with not just food, but the support and consistency they deserve,” says Drew Moran, chief development officer of Nourishing Hope.

The truck will play a vital role in scaling the Online Market, a flexible and user-friendly grocery ordering platform that allows individuals and families to place orders online and pick them up at times and locations that are convenient for them. This expansion builds on foundational support from the Grubhub Community Fund, which provided a grant to Nourishing Hope for the Online Market program. With this new vehicle, Nourishing Hope will be able to expand to six new community partners this calendar year — particularly on Chicago’s South and West sides — and complete over 15,000 Online Market orders, representing nearly a 50% increase compared to the previous year.

This logistical capacity is key to ensuring timely, reliable food access as Nourishing Hope continues to expand into new neighborhoods. The Online Market program is designed to reduce barriers and meet people where they are, offering a dignified and dependable source of fresh, nutritious food.

We see here how when two mission-aligned organizations combine their strengths, it’s possible to create sustainable solutions to hunger. Together, Nourishing Hope and Grubhub are working to remove systemic barriers to nourishment and expand access across the city.

Since 2004, Grubhub has invested in the communities where it operates, with a focus on its hometown of Chicago, to successfully scale community impact efforts and partnerships while making strategic investments to help neighbors thrive.

“We’re proud to deepen our partnership with Nourishing Hope by providing the vehicle support needed to expand their Online Market program. This investment is about more than transportation — it’s about ensuring families across Chicago, especially on the South and West Sides, have reliable access to fresh, nutritious food. At Grubhub, we’re committed to tackling food insecurity with solutions that deliver access, stability, and lasting community impact,” said Brianna Morris, associate director of community impact, Grubhub.

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 over 415,000 merchants in more than 4,000 U.S. cities.

About Nourishing Hope

Nourishing Hope is one of the largest and longest-operating hunger relief organizations in Chicago, providing the equivalent of more than 4.5 million meals annually. Serving with dignity and respect, the organization’s mission is Nourishing Hope through food, mental health and social services so that all neighbors can thrive. Through walk-in food pantries, online ordering, home delivery, and health-focused partnerships, Nourishing Hope removes barriers to support services — providing food for today, and hope for tomorrow.

 

Chicago’s Restaurant Resilience: Grubhub Honors 31 Pandemic-Born Businesses That Beat the Odds

Despite the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chicago entrepreneurs across the city took a leap of faith, opening their restaurant doors during the 2020 lockdown. Today, Grubhub is proud to recognize 31 resilient business owners through the Established 2020 program, honoring those who reached their five-year milestone in 2025.

Take, for instance, Afro Joe’s Coffee & Tea in Beverly. Husband and wife duo, Kendall and Aisha Griffin opened their doors amidst unprecedented challenges but quickly became a neighborhood hub, not just for coffee but for community. Or consider CheSa’s Bistro & Bar in Avondale, owner Chesaree Rollins brought authentic Creole flavors – all gluten-free – to the city during a time when comfort food was needed more than ever. These are only a couple of the stories that highlight the spirit of Chicago’s restaurant scene, and it’s these stories that Grubhub wants to celebrate through Established 2020.

The initiative recognizes 31 small business restaurants from 25 different neighborhoods across Chicago. Each of these independent restaurants launched during a period of immense uncertainty but demonstrated remarkable strength and determination. The honorees reflect Chicago’s rich cultural diversity, with many being women-, minority-, and family-owned businesses. They contribute to the city’s vibrant food scene with cuisines ranging from Thai and Indian to Latin American and modern American.

“Our Established 2020 honorees capture what makes Chicago’s restaurant scene so special — hardworking, community-focused, and full of heart,” said Lisa Belot, Director of Corporate Affairs at Grubhub. “This program is our way of saying thank you to the entrepreneurs who took a big risk during the pandemic and created something meaningful. We’re proud to support them and celebrate how they’re helping shape the city’s food culture. Their stories show that resilience isn’t just about getting through tough times — it’s about building something even stronger.”

As part of the award, Grubhub provided over $80,000 in critical funding to support the continued growth of these restaurants. Award recipients plan to reinvest in their operations by hiring more staff, upgrading kitchen equipment, refreshing dining spaces, and expanding marketing efforts.

From Bronzeville’s Dirty Tiff’s Cafe to Uptown’s Thai Pastry Restaurant, the Established 2020 honorees have become cultural and community pillars. The full list of Established 2020 Award restaurant recipients includes:

To honor their perseverance and celebrate their impact, Grubhub will host a private celebration for our Established 2020 honorees on Tuesday, June 3rd, in Chicago. The event will bring together honorees to share their unique stories and celebrate the promising futures they are creating.

These are the businesses that didn’t just survive. They thrived, becoming essential parts of their neighborhoods and the very fabric of Chicago’s vibrant food culture.

Grubhub’s Expanding Impact Partnerships Champion Local Restaurant Businesses and Their Teams

Grubhub’s commitment to independent restaurants extends far beyond facilitating deliveries. We view these businesses as the very foundation of our success. And, we recognize the significant role the U.S. restaurant industry plays as the nation’s second-largest private employer, providing livelihoods for over 12 million people. Beneath the vibrant culinary landscape, however, lie very real challenges. Thin margins pressure restaurant operators and frontline workers face limited pathways for economic advancement, with just four percent advancing to entry-level corporate jobs and receiving the accompanying wage and experiencing growth.

This understanding fuels our year-round impact focus on supporting independent restaurants. During Small Business Month, our efforts intensified as we engaged in a series of strategic initiatives designed to bolster the thousands of independent restaurants that power our platform while simultaneously cultivating greater opportunity within the broader hospitality sector.

Grubhub is a proud founding supporter of MORE, a first-of-its-kind coalition focused on building a thriving, equitable, and enduring restaurant industry. By uniting around this common goal with other organizations, including The James Beard Foundation, Regarding Her Food, and Women In Hospitality United, we are accelerating collective impact, driving innovative solutions, and advancing economic mobility across the restaurant industry. MORE’s vision is to replicate and scale successful regional programs focused on culinary training, upskilling and career development programs, and initiatives removing barriers to entry for marginalized communities.

“Grubhub’s early support of our mission, continued partnership, and commitment to impact has been transformational for our work,” said Elizabeth Murray, Co-founder, MORE. “Together we’ve built a collaborative network across a diverse group of organizations, unlocking new opportunities for shared learning, creative partnerships, and expanded programming. Moving forward, MORE will continue to leverage our combined resources to deliver solutions that meet multiple, intersecting needs and drive enormous social and economic impact for all our stakeholders – workers, operators, employers, and the communities they serve.” 

Since 2022, the Grubhub Community Fund has worked closely with Women in Hospitality United and other founding partners on the development and launch of the MORE Coalition since 2022. Today, the Grubhub Community Fund continues to support MORE’s coalition launch and public awareness efforts. 

Our commitment to empowering restaurant entrepreneurs extends to our partnership with Feed the Soul. With grant support from the Grubhub Community Fund, we’ve helped enable the launch of the Culinary Business Network (CBN), a new digital platform designed to provide on-demand, educational resources to food entrepreneurs across the country, with grant support from the Grubhub Community Fund. For less than $1 a day, restaurants and caterers will have access to business development resources, including how to grow your customer base, streamline operations, grow your revenue, stay ahead of industry trends, and more. The CBN is designed to meet entrepreneurs where they are, providing the resources they need to scale their businesses effectively.

“For the past five years, the Grubhub Community Fund has been more than a supporter of Feed the Soul Foundation; they have been a true partner,” said Juana Collins, Executive Director, Feed the Soul Foundation. “We are excited to collaborate with Grubhub on our new Culinary Business Network digital platform, a space designed to help businesses connect, share ideas, and access valuable resources to grow and succeed. This partnership is about more than funding; it’s about building a stronger future for the culinary industry.”

Partnering with Feed the Soul for the last five years, the Grubhub Community Fund has distributed more than $1.2 million to local restaurants across the country, and our more recent support of the development of the Culinary Business Network will allow us to continue to help small business restaurants in their growth journey. 

Through our partnership with The Hatchery Chicago, the Grubhub Community Fund has helped power its Incubation Cohort. This six-month program is meant to help early-stage entrepreneurs developing a consumer-packaged goods (CPG) brand – including snacks, beverages, baked goods, catering company, meal delivery, or food truck – launch their business. The latest cohort engaged in monthly sessions covering essential food and beverage business strategies complemented by hands-on exercises with helpful templates and resources to deepen their learning. The program wrapped with a pitch and sampling event for guests at The Hatchery, where participants celebrated their program graduation and journey of turning their business concepts into reality. 

Since 2023, the Grubhub Community Fund’s support has enabled scholarships to Chicago’s West Side residents participating in The Hatchery’s programs. Additionally, we support The Hatchery’s efforts to develop and provide educational resources for restaurateurs, and help entrepreneurs solidify their business plans and complete all required licensing to launch and scale their restaurants. 

Beyond these strategic impact partnerships, we remain committed to supporting local restaurants through our day-to-day operations. In NYC, we recently brought back the $1 Cheese Slice as a part of our Seamless brand relaunch, helping drive awareness, recognition, and foot traffic to more than 40 local pizzerias across the city’s five boroughs participating in the pick-up only campaign. In Chicago, we launched Established 2020, a new award program to honor the local restaurants that opened their doors in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic and defied the odds to remain open today. 

Through our operational initiatives and strategic impact partnerships, Grubhub will continue showing up for our independent restaurant partners. We believe in the power of a vibrant hospitality industry and will continue to support its growth and prosperity for years to come.

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.

Introducing Grubhub’s 2025 Restaurant Leadership Council

Grubhub’s business is grounded in the idea that the technology we offer to restaurant partners helps them expand their own businesses. Along with providing tools to help restaurants succeed, we are equally committed to creating a space for peer connection, allowing restaurant owners to share experiences, insights, and feedback. This is where Grubhub’s Restaurant Leadership Council was born – and we are thrilled to welcome our 2025 cohort of restaurant leaders. 

In its fourth year, the Restaurant Leadership Council is a group of restaurant owners and operators who regularly meet with Grubhub to help us whip up new ideas on how to best serve our restaurants. We work with the council to better understand and serve the industry, listening and learning from professionals who eat, sleep, and breathe restaurant management. 

For the year ahead, we identified a group of nine small business owners – all Grubhub partners – who will join the 2025 council. These individuals own restaurants all across the country, including Chicago, New York City, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Washington, D.C. and more. To date, 50 restaurant owners have participated in the council. Throughout the council’s year-long term, we host several interactive sessions to give restaurant owners a chance to strengthen their peer relationships, provide industry insights, and share detailed product feedback to help us improve our product offering and platform for restaurant partners. 

“In the past four years, Grubhub’s Restaurant Leadership Council has become a critical channel for connecting with, offering support to, and receiving feedback from restaurant owners across the country,” said Victoria Anglin, Senior Manager, Merchant Engagement & Operations. “The restaurants on our platform have hands-on experience with using our product and technology day-in and day-out to help serve their customers and coordinate with delivery partners, so we take their feedback seriously. It’s exciting to take the first-hand feedback from our Restaurant Leadership Council meetings, and implement changes to make our platform more valuable for our restaurant partners.” 

Meet Grubhub’s 2025 Restaurant Leadership Council:

Bryan Tublin – Kitava in San Francisco, California

“Small-to-medium sized businesses are the heartbeat of American communities, and the hospitality industry is a critical contributor. My goal for joining this council is to advocate for and contribute to the health of the restaurant industry because I believe if our restaurants are strong, healthy, and vibrant, our communities will be as well!” 

Davin Wages – Malai Kitchen in Dallas, Texas

“I’m excited to share my experiences with the Grubhub platform, help with any new developments and improvements, and also network with others in the industry.

Jay Shin – Fibber’s Sports Bar & Grille in Philadelphia, PA

“I joined the council to see the direction of Grubhub and if there is anything I can do to help bring in more sales.”

Paolo Fontana – Sub-Ology in Cranford, New Jersey

“I joined Grubhub’s 2025 Restaurant Leadership Council because I’m passionate about shaping the future of the restaurant industry and supporting small business owners like myself. This council offers an incredible opportunity to meet new people from diverse businesses, exchange resources, and regularly share ideas. I look forward to collaborating, helping each other grow, and mentoring one another to achieve our goals. Together, we can address challenges, contribute innovative solutions, and drive success for restaurants across the board.”

Sergio Catinkagan – Antalia NYC in New York, New York

“I joined the Grubhub Council to contribute valuable insights that can help make Grubhub a more restaurant-owner-friendly platform. By sharing my own experiences, I hope to provide useful perspectives while also learning from the experiences of other restaurant owners.”

Taylor Mason – Taylor’s Tacos in Chicago, Illinois

“I joined the council so that I can be a liaison between the Grubhub communiTAY and the people. It is my duty to use my everyday experience and expertise to make both worlds better. Grubhub is a team of some epic individuals, and I am honored to be included.”

Tony Mekonen – Italian Kitchen in Washington, D.C.

“I joined the Restaurant Leadership Council to gain deeper insight into new product features and to provide feedback based on our experience with multiple third-party aggregator platforms. As a restaurant owner, I value opportunities to share my experiences and collaborate with like-minded business leaders from across the country. I’m excited to connect with my peers, exchange best practices, and stay ahead of industry trends that can help us grow and improve our business. Additionally, I look forward to using this platform to voice any questions or concerns regarding our experience on Grubhub, ensuring that both our customers and team continue to benefit from the platform’s innovations.”

Vinny Gallagher – Pizzata Pizzeria in Philadelphia, PA

“At Pizzata, we have a saying that goes: ‘I know something you don’t know, and you know something I don’t know. We can always learn from one another if we take the time to stop and listen.”

Wesley Li – Bowls of Rice in Chicago, Illinois

“I am excited to share my knowledge and insights with Grubhub and my peers, while also learning and growing together. Operating a ghost kitchen allows us to innovate quickly, and I’m excited to enhance our partnership by collaborating on fresh ideas that deliver even better experiences to our customers.” 

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 Grows its Marketing Platform with New Advertising Placements for Merchants and Brands

Since our earliest days in 2004, Grubhub’s mission has been to help connect consumers to nearby merchants, while giving these merchants a platform to grow their businesses. We’ve done this through our Grubhub Marketplace, which is a marketing platform at its core that gives our more than 375,000 merchant partners access to tens of millions of consumers across the country looking for takeout. We provide our merchant partners with a variety of marketing packages to choose from depending on their business goals, and they only pay when they generate orders on our Marketplace. Today, we’re expanding how merchants and brands can use Grubhub as an advertising channel.

Grubhub Pre-Checkout Ads for Merchants
We frequently hear that our merchant partners are looking for more control and flexibility over how their business shows up on the Grubhub Marketplace. They want to reach more people at the earliest point in the decision-making process and add incremental value throughout the customer experience. With Grubhub Ads, they can now run and manage listings on the homepage, search results list and cuisine category page to reach more customers throughout the ordering process.

Differing from our existing sponsored listings that Grubhub manages for merchants as an add-on to our Premium marketing package, these new ad placements give all partners, regardless of their marketing package, control over the frequency, location and targeting of their ads.

Powered by Koddi, Grubhub Ads are managed within the merchant’s portal in Grubhub for Restaurants. Merchants can choose their audience, the dates and times the ad will run, the duration of the ads and their monthly budget. Once the ad is live, they can edit, pause or end the campaign at any time and they only pay when customers click on their listing.

“We’re a newer restaurant in our area, and with all of the competing restaurants around us, it’s important that we are able to advertise our restaurant so that we attract customers and gain visibility on the Grubhub Marketplace. Since running ads on Grubhub, our sales are up 30 to 40 percent, and that’s just in the summer alone. As we get into fall and winter when people tend to order out more, I know we will see even greater results.” — Cindy Lech, co-owner of Lenoxthai, a Thai restaurant on the Upper East Side in NYC

“I’m a big believer of advertising, especially in a city like New York where there’s no shortage of restaurants and you have people coming and going at all times. In order for people to notice your restaurant, you better be in one of the top 10 placements. Since running ads on Grubhub, I’ve seen a 15 to 20 percent increase in orders, and it’s a huge plus to know if a customer is new or returning. Having a 4 or 4.5 star rating on Grubhub and the ability to run ads keeps you on top. I don’t think it gets any better than that.” — Edon Vokshi, owner of Pizzeria L’ Antica in NYC

Post-Checkout Ads for Brands
Tens of millions of customers use Grubhub regularly, and they eagerly pay attention to our delivery confirmation and tracking page as they wait for their order to arrive. Now in partnership with Rokt, we’re offering consumer brands access to market to this captive audience of customers on Grubhub’s order tracking page. Through Rokt’s AI technology, brands can showcase relevant and non-intrusive offers to Grubhub’s customers at a time when they are highly engaged (post-checkout) with offers that range from cash back and rewards to fitness memberships, video, music and audio subscriptions, and more.

“As a marketplace with tens of millions of customers, we’re excited to give merchants and brands more opportunities to grow their business through Grubhub,” said Kyle Emmett, senior director of retail media and merchant solutions at Grubhub. “These new advertising tools are a natural extension of our long-standing efforts to make Grubhub an effective marketing channel for our merchant partners to acquire more consumers and a further step to reach our full potential as an advertising channel.”

These new tools for merchants and brands complement Grubhub’s existing suite of marketing capabilities for merchant partners. By selecting from our range of marketing packages, merchants unlock access to promotions, loyalty and promoted placements and receive actionable information about their business through Order Frequency Insights. These tools allow merchants to better target customers to strategically grow their sales while giving them visibility into what’s performing well across different customer segments.

For more information on how to get started with ads, please visit here.