The National Restaurant Association
scholarship type: exa:news title: National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation - Scholarship
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$42.4M
-4.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$3.3M
-13.3% YoY
Grant Count
71
-24.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$46K
+14.8% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: As the philanthropic foundation of the National Restaurant Association, the NRAEF enhances the industry's service to the public through education, community engagement, and promotion of career opportunities.
The Foundation's primary focus areas include:
- Education & Workforce Development: Operating industry-driven training programs that combine culinary arts and restaurant management instruction
- Career Pathways: Promoting career opportunities across the restaurant and foodservice industry
- Scholarships & Financial Aid: Awarding scholarships and grants to aspiring restaurant and hospitality leaders
- Military Support: Supporting active, guard and reserve military members, military spouses, dependent children, and veterans with their transition out of military service
- Justice-Involved Youth: Providing training and career opportunities for justice-involved individuals
Grantmaking
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The Foundation's grantmaking and programs operate nationally, with primary focus areas including:
- All 50 states
- Washington, DC
- Territory of Guam
- Territory of Puerto Rico
- Department of Defense Education Activity Schools in Europe and the Pacific
Recent grantmaking activity indicates focus in Michigan, Delaware, and Illinois.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total Assets: $42,417,749
- Total Revenue: $18,753,714
- Total Expenses: $20,182,483
- Total Liabilities: $3.17 million (2023)
Historical Financial Data (2023):
- Revenue: $21.4 million
- Expenses: $21.4 million
- Total Assets: $44.3 million
Rating & Accountability: The Foundation holds a Four-Star rating with a 100% score in Accountability & Finance, indicating strong financial management and transparency.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $42,417,749 | $44,270,078 | $42,403,984 |
| Revenue | $18,753,714 | $21,431,769 | $22,193,530 |
| Expenses | $20,182,483 | $21,366,161 | $19,750,677 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,491,035 | $721,532 | $938,916 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from The National Restaurant Association
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
2026 Board Leadership:
- Chair, Foundation Board of Trustees: Carrie Leishman, President and CEO of the Delaware Restaurant Association
- Vice Chair: Susannah Ryan, Head of Sales, National Restaurants for PepsiCo Foodservice
- Treasurer: Greg Cocchiarella, Vice President of Industry Relations for Ecolab Inc.
Executive Leadership:
- President & CEO: Michelle L. Korsmo (serves as both President & CEO of the National Restaurant Association and CEO of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shaun Beard | Chair | 5 | — |
| William Kohl | Vice Chair | 5 | — |
| Carrie Leishman | Treasurer | 5 | — |
| James Fripp | Immediate Past Chair | 5 | — |
| Michael Axiotis | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Theodore Balestreri II | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Louis Basile | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Mark Bucher | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Mateo Cidre | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Gregory Cocchiarella | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Ashley Coneff | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Horace Dawson | Trustee | 2 | — |
| David Dittenber | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Mark Erickson | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Joseph Essa | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Hector Gallardo | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Damian Hanft | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Kristine Hillmer | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Steven Johnson | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Jeffrey Lobdell | Trustee, ex-officio | 2 | — |
| Perry Miele | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Sarah Oates Harlow | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Donna Quadri-Felitti PhD | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Sonia Riggs | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Dan Rowe | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Christopher Savvides | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Laurie Schalow | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Richard Schneider | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Susannah Sellers-Ryan | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Jay Stieber | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Neil Sudaisar | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Curtis Wilson | Trustee | 2 | — |
| Michelle L Korsmo | President & CEO | 8 | — |
| Marvin F Irby | CAO (until 6/15/24) | 8 | — |
| Robert A Gifford | President | 40 | — |
| Eric Ellis | CFO | 8 | — |
| Allison Rhyne | VP. Development | 20 | — |
| Susan R Crystal-Mansour | VP, Programs Impact | 40 | $267,459 |
| Jason Peller | Director, Program Development & Ops | 40 | $145,260 |
| Hannah Oliver | Director, Communications | 40 | $140,197 |
| Alyssa M Prince | Director, Engagement | 40 | $153,055 |
| Patricia D Gill | Director, Workforce Development | 40 | $174,216 |
| Amy B Saltzman | Director, ProStart Program | 40 | $161,213 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**January 2026:** NRAEF announced 2026 board officers and directors, with Carrie Leishman named Chair of the Foundation Board of Trustees
**2025:** Secured $5.1 million grant to boost training and career opportunities for justice-involved youth across six states
**Recent:** Awarded $1 million grant from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation to reduce young adult employment barriers and build career pathways
National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation Secures $5.1M Grant**Ongoing:** Awards over $1 million in scholarships annually to aspiring restaurant and hospitality leaders, with nearly $1 million in scholarships available for 2026-2027
National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation is Awarded $1 MillionContact Information
Address: 2055 L St. NW, Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 800-424-5156
Email: comms@nraef.org (for general and media inquiries)
Website: chooserestaurants.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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