AANHPI restaurant owners invited to apply for business grants

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – If you are an Asian American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (AANHPI) entrepreneur who owns a restaurant, you can apply for a grant of up to $25,000 to help your business manage economic setbacks.

Grubhub and National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship (ACE) are offering $1.2 million in grants to AANHPI-owned restaurants through the AAPISTRONG Restaurant Fund.

“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,” Dave Tovar, Grubhub’s Senior Vice President of Communications and Government Relations, said in a press release announcing the grant program.

Eligible restaurants can apply for grants ranging from $5,000 to $25,000. Three grand prize winners will receive $25,000 each at the National ACE annual conference

“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, in the release. “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.”

Applications are due by 5:59 p.m. Hawaii time on May 31 or until 5,000 applications are received.

Restaurants must be majority AAPI-owned, based in the U.S. and demonstrate financial need and community impact (i.e. culture/community, hiring, charitable/philanthropic efforts).

Restaurants must be currently operational, must be a for-profit business, must show proof of their primary licensed activity as “the preparation and serving of food,” operates in a single location and cannot be a franchise.

Funds must be used towards growth and expansion of the business. Priority will be given to first time grant applicants.

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

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 aapistrong.com/current-grants.

For more information and to apply, visit AAPISTRONG.com.

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