The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) is a public charity based in Washington, DC, and the philanthropic foundation of the National Restaurant Association. It supports education, training, scholarships, and career pathways in the restaurant, foodservice, and hospitality industries.
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation at a glance
In short: The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation gave $3.3M across 71 grants in 2024 (avg $46K), top state Texas. 14% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $3,289,598
- -13.3% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 71
- -24.5% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $46,332
- +14.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $26,304
- Total assets
- $42,417,749
- -4.2% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 14% first-time grantees (10 of 71, 2024)
- Primary geography
- Texas (15% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 2055 L Street Nw 702, Washington, DC 20036-4957
Phone: (800) 424-5156
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
National ProStart Invitational (NPSI) Competition Scholarships
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
Amount
$1,500
Deadline
Deadline not published
The Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grants
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
Amount
$5,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was San Antonio Food Bank Inc ($217K). Together the top 10 received $1.4M.
Grant Size Distribution
437 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 345 grants of 437 (79%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation’s programs operate nationally. Its 2024 grant dollars were distributed across recipient states, with the largest shares going to Texas (15%), Michigan (8%), Ohio (6%), the District of Columbia (5%), and Delaware (5%). ProStart funds were awarded to state restaurant associations for projects in their states.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 71 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation open to new grantees?
14%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 10 of 71 grantees (14%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $22K; repeat grants $50K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $30K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $1.7M (2020) to $4.3M (2021). In 2024 it made 71 grants totaling $3.3M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| San Antonio Food Bank Inc San Antonio, TX | HOPES Program | $217,014 |
| American Hotel & Lodging Foundation Washington, DC | Dol HRSA | $159,860 |
| Texas Restaurant Foundation Austin, TX | ProStart Program | $157,421 |
| Peckham Vocational Industries Inc Lansing, MI | Restaurant Ready, HOPES Program | $152,559 |
| Goodwill Industries of Houston Houston, TX | HOPES Program | $123,306 |
| Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Ed Fdn Harrisburg, PA | ProStart Program | $116,011 |
| Educational Foundation of the Louisiana Restaurant Association Metairie, LA | ProStart Program | $115,740 |
| Alvis Inc Columbus, OH | HOPES Program | $115,027 |
| Colorado Restaurant AssocColorado Restaurant Foundation Denver, CO | ProStart Program, Restaurant Ready | $109,877 |
| Delaware Restaurant Foundation Newark, DE | ProStart Program, Restaurant Ready | $109,826 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $42,417,749 | $18,753,714 | $20,182,483 | $3,289,598 | 71 | $1,491,035 |
| 2023 | $44,270,078 | $21,431,769 | $21,366,161 | $3,794,528 | 94 | $721,532 |
| 2022 | $42,403,984 | $22,193,530 | $19,750,677 | $3,760,705 | 106 | $938,916 |
| 2021 | $44,077,352 | $20,339,294 | $16,177,288 | $4,260,899 | 105 | $1,909,034 |
| 2020 | $38,892,977 | $37,084,266 | $34,628,732 | $1,734,994 | 61 | $397,227 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The Foundation states that it empowers people from all backgrounds with training and education to secure a better future. Its filing describes its mission as enhancing the industry’s service to the public through education, community engagement, and promotion of career opportunities.
Its support includes scholarships for students pursuing restaurant, foodservice, and hospitality-related education; grants benefiting ProStart programs; and programs for educators, apprentices, military-connected participants, and justice-involved individuals. Examples of supported organizations include the San Antonio Food Bank, whose stated mission is to fight hunger in Southwest Texas, and Peckham Vocational Industries, whose stated mission is to provide vocational rehabilitation services to people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. The Texas Restaurant Association Education Foundation describes its work as providing pathways to careers in the industry, while the AHLA Foundation says it helps people build careers and strengthens the lodging industry.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the Foundation reported 71 grants totaling $3,289,598. Awards ranged from $7,500 to $217,014, with a median grant of $26,304. The largest listed grant was $217,014 to San Antonio Food Bank Inc. for its HOPES Program. Other large awards included $159,860 to the American Hotel & Lodging Foundation for DOL HRSA; $157,421 to the Texas Restaurant Foundation for ProStart; $152,559 to Peckham Vocational Industries Inc. for Restaurant Ready and HOPES; and $123,306 to Goodwill Industries of Houston for HOPES.
Additional notable awards included $116,011 to Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Ed Fdn for ProStart, $115,740 to the Educational Foundation of the Louisiana Restaurant Association for ProStart, and $115,027 to Alvis Inc. for HOPES. The filing says state restaurant associations receiving ProStart funds had to submit a request form describing how funds would benefit state projects. Changes to approved uses, spending periods, or key personnel required advance approval, and recipients had to submit mid-year and final project summaries with results, metrics, and evaluations.
The Foundation also offers individual scholarships, generally ranging from $2,500 to $10,000, and a graduate grant for research in viticulture or enology. Its website describes an annual scholarship application cycle from January 15 to March 15. The March 15, 2026 deadline listed for one scholarship program has passed; the next cycle’s dates are not stated here. Applications require a non-school email address and a current transcript showing cumulative GPA or a GED certificate; veterans applying must provide military discharge papers. Scholarships are not renewable, though past recipients may reapply while in school.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Shaun Beard as Chair, William Kohl as Vice Chair, Carrie Leishman as Treasurer, and James Fripp as Immediate Past Chair. It also lists Michael Axiotis, Theodore Balestreri II, Louis Basile, Mark Bucher, Mateo Cidre, and Gregory Cocchiarella as trustees.
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation is led by Michelle L Korsmo, President & CEO since 2023 (on filings since 2022); 6 of 43 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Michelle L Korsmo
President & CEO
President & CEO Beginning → President & CEO, 2023
On filings since 2022
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Robert A Gifford
President
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$628K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Shaun Beard
Chair
Treasurer → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alyssa M Prince
Director & Engagement
Director & Engagement → Director, Scholarships & Engagement, 2023
Director, Scholarships & Engagement → Director & Engagement, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$135K (2020) → $153K (2024)
Amy B Saltzman
Director & Prostart Program
Director & Prostart Program → Senior Director, Career & Tech Education, 2023
Senior Director, Career & Tech Education → Director & Prostart Program, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$130K (2020) → $161K (2024)
Patricia D Gill
Director & Workforce Development
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$158K (2021) → $174K (2024)
Hannah Oliver
Director & Communications
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$140K (2024)
Jason Peller
Director, Program Development & Ops
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$145K (2024)
Curtis Wilson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Donna Quadri-Felitti PhD
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Horace Dawson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jay Stieber
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Perry Miele
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susannah Sellers-Ryan
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Dittenber
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Laurie Schalow
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Savvides
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dan Rowe
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Hector Gallardo
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kristine Hillmer
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Richard Schneider
Trustee
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gregory Cocchiarella
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeffrey Lobdell
Trustee & Ex-Officio
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joseph Essa
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Louis Basile
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Erickson
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Axiotis
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Neil Sudaisar
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sonia Riggs
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Steven Johnson
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Theodore Balestreri II
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ashley Coneff
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Damian Hanft
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Bucher
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mateo Cidre
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sarah Oates Harlow
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Allison Rhyne
Vice President Development
Vice President & Development → Vice President Development, 2023
On filings since 2020
20 hrs/week
$200K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Susan R Crystal-Mansour
Vice President & Programs Impact
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$225K (2020) → $267K (2024)
James Fripp
Immediate Past Chair
Vice Chair → Chair, 2023
Chair → Immediate Past Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marvin F Irby
CAO
CFO → President & CEO, 2022
President & CEO → CAO, 2023
On filings since 2020
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carrie Leishman
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric Ellis
CFO
CFO Beginning → CFO, 2022
On filings since 2021
8 hrs/week
No compensation reported
William Kohl
Vice Chair
Trustee → Treasurer, 2023
Treasurer → Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (36)
- Former: Brett Ladd (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Gordon D Lambourne (2020–2023) — Vice President & Communications
- Former: Kelli Valade (2020–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Sally E McVey (2020–2023) — Director & Industry Partnership Lead
- Former: Scott Redler (2021–2023) — Trustee & Ex-Officio
- Former: Archna Becker (2022–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Maria Roberts (2022–2023) — Director, Pship Strategy & Ops
- Former: Sarah Oates (2023) — Trustee
- Former: Bahjat Shariff (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Dawn M Sweeney (2020–2022) — Former President & CEO
- Former: James Jacobs (2020–2022) — Director & Digital Product Management
- Former: Jeff Lobdell (2020–2022) — Trustee - Ex-Officio
- Former: John Eastman (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Kent Walrack (2020–2022) — Chair
- Former: Lance Trenary (2020–2022) — Trustee - Ex-Officio
- Former: Marilou Halvorsen (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Susan Adzick (2020–2022) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: John Loflin (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Atour Eyvazian (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Brian Casey (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Chris Savvides (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Derek Small (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Rich Schneider (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Roger Kaplan (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Scott Carlson (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Stan Harris (2020–2021) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Susan Connelly (2020–2021) — Trustee
- Former: Tom Bene (2020–2021) — Past President & CEO
- Former: Edward L Walden Sr. (2021) — Director & Professional Advancement
- Former: Chris Loflin (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Emily Knight (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Geoff Hill (2020) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: John Shortt (2020) — Director & Program Development
- Former: Kristin Bitter (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Melvin Rodrigue (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Vic Allred (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $267K, to Susan R Crystal-Mansour (VP, Programs Impact). 6 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
How much does The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation give each year?
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation gave $3.3M across 71 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $3.8M across 94 grants.
What is The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's typical grant size?
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $26,304, and its average grant was $46,332, across 71 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation that year got $22K on average.
Where does The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation give grants?
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's top state is Texas, with 15% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Michigan (8%) and Ohio (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Columbus, OH (3 grants), Chicago, IL (3 grants), Lansing, MI (2 grants) and Washington, DC (2 grants).
Does The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 71 grants with a stated purpose on The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "ProStart Program" (38 grants), "ProStart Program, Restaurant Ready" (12 grants) and "HOPES Program" (9 grants).
Who are The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's largest grantees?
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include San Antonio Food Bank Inc ($217,014), American Hotel & Lodging Foundation ($159,860) and Texas Restaurant Foundation ($157,421), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 16% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation?
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation reported $42.4M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $18.8M.
What does The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation fund?
The Foundation states that it empowers people from all backgrounds with training and education to secure a better future. Its filing describes its mission as enhancing the industry’s service to the public through education, community engagement, and promotion of career opportunities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation?
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's EIN?
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 36-6103388. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 8, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation funds
Food, Agriculture & Nutrition Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
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Browse active grant opportunities in The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 22, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-national-restaurant-association-educational-foundation-morg_07048f178f2e4383a9188308307548da
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_366103388_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-national-restaurant-association-educational-foundation-morg_07048f178f2e4383a9188308307548da},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-22. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?