The Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grants

The Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grants

Funder: The Rachael Ray Foundation (in partnership with NRAEF)

Status: Active. Most recent award cycle announced November 13, 2025.

Geographic Scope: United States (nationwide)

Overview:
The Rachael Ray Foundation awards grants to high schools with ProStart programs to enhance their culinary arts and restaurant management classrooms. In the most recent cycle (2025), 48 high schools received grants.

Award Amount:

$5,000 per grant to individual high schools

Eligible Recipients:

High schools with ProStart® programs (NRAEF's high school career and technical education program)

Schools focused on culinary arts and restaurant management education

Acceptable Uses:
Grant funds can be used to enhance the classroom experience through:

Curriculum development and materials

Supplies and equipment

Classroom infrastructure improvements

Program Context:

ProStart is a high school career and technical education program reaching 150,000 students nationally

Program focuses on culinary arts and restaurant management

Part of NRAEF's mission to Attract, Empower and Advance the next generation of restaurant and foodservice workers

Contact Information:

Organization: National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF)

Website: ChooseRestaurants.org

Email: jajones@nraef.org

Mission:
Grants support enhancement of career and technical education in the restaurant and foodservice industry at the secondary level.