AAPI-owned restaurants have the opportunity to receive grants up to $50,000 for growth and expansion
WASHINGTON, D.C., August 14, 2023 – The National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship (National ACE) has joined forces with Grubhub to launch the third annual AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund. This initiative aims to provide crucial financial support to independent Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)-owned restaurants across the United States. Made possible by a grant from the Grubhub Community Fund, this program is designed to empower AAPI restaurateurs to enhance their businesses and navigate economic challenges.
In a statement released today, Chiling Tong, President and CEO of National ACE, highlighted the importance of the grant: “Our AAPI-owned restaurants have demonstrated their resilience and are now looking to the future. Grubhub’s ongoing commitment to AAPI-owned restaurants is demonstrated by the continuation of this amazing grant opportunity. The grant support from the Grubhub Community Fund will provide AAPI restaurant owners the opportunity to expand their businesses and reach new peaks.”
This program, aimed at fostering growth and innovation, encourages AAPI restaurateurs to explore avenues such as infrastructure improvements, e-commerce and technology adoption, employee benefits enhancement, and streamlining operations. By enabling AAPI entrepreneurs to elevate their businesses, the initiative contributes not only to their financial success but also to the vibrancy of their communities.
Dave Tovar, Senior Vice President of Communications & Government Relations at Grubhub, expressed Grubhub’s commitment to supporting AAPI-owned restaurants: “Over the years, this program has supported more than 270 AAPI-owned restaurants across the country to both sustain and expand their businesses. Restaurants play a vital role in their communities, and Grubhub is committed to helping them have a positive impact on the people and communities they serve.”
Eligible independent AAPI-owned restaurants across the nation will have the opportunity to apply for grants ranging from $15,000 to a grand prize of $50,000. The grand prize winners will be unveiled during the National ACE’s #AAPISTRONG Annual Conference scheduled for October 12-13, 2023, in Las Vegas.
The application window for the AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund will be open from August 14 to August 28, 2023, or until the program receives 2,000 applicants, whichever comes first. To be eligible for the grant, AAPI-owned restaurants must meet the following criteria:
Be Asian American/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian majority-owned (at least 51%)
Be based in the United States
Be currently operational
Be a for-profit business
Provide proof of primary licensed activity as “the preparation and serving of food”
Operate in a single location
Not be a franchise
Demonstrate financial need
Use funds for business growth and expansion
Showcase community impact (e.g., culture/community, hiring, charitable/philanthropic efforts)
Grand prize finalists are required to attend the Annual Conference in Las Vegas on October 12-13, and National ACE will provide flight vouchers and hotel accommodations for these finalists.
Applications are set to open on August 14, 2023, at 12:00 AM ET via the official website: www.AAPISTRONG.com. The application period will conclude on August 28, 2023, or upon reaching 2,000 applicants, whichever comes first. Grants will be distributed to selected restaurants during the Fall of 2023.
For more information and to access the application process, interested AAPI-owned restaurants are encouraged to visit: #AAPISTRONG .
