National Restaurant Association

About National Restaurant Association

A defining feature of National Restaurant Association grantmaking is its repeated support for restaurant-industry advocacy groups and legal defense organizations. Across recent years, the largest awards have gone to coalitions and associations working on tipping policy, local restrictions, and other issues that affect restaurant operators’ commercial interests. The foundation also backs state and regional restaurant and lodging associations, suggesting a network-oriented strategy rather than isolated project funding. Recent grants show that this approach is not limited to one geography or one type of recipient. National Restaurant Association has funded organizations such as Save Local Restaurants for advocacy work in San Rafael, California, and the Restaurant Law Center in Washington, DC, alongside state associations in Arizona, Michigan, Massachusetts, Oregon, Colorado, Connecticut, Maryland, and South Carolina. The pattern points to a funder that uses grants to support coordinated policy efforts, membership infrastructure, and sector-wide response capacity. Industry workforce and leadership development also appears in the portfolio through support for the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation and related diversity organizations. That mix of advocacy, capacity-building, and training support defines how the foundation funds the restaurant sector.

What National Restaurant Association Funds

A central theme is policy and advocacy. The foundation gave $300,000 to Committee to Protect Tips in Westborough, Massachusetts, for advocacy tied to tipping rules, and $250,000 to No to I82 in Washington, DC, for advocacy. Another clear thread is support for state and regional associations. It gave $285,000 to Arizona Restaurant Association in Phoenix and $265,000 to Michigan Restaurant & Lodging Association in Lansing, reflecting a preference for organizations that can mobilize restaurant operators at the state level. Legal and regulatory defense is also part of the portfolio. Restaurant Law Center received $225,000 in 2025 and $225,000 in 2024, both in Washington, DC, showing recurring support for a group focused on restaurant industry legal issues. The foundation also funds workforce- and diversity-related groups. Multiculutral Foodservice & Hospitality Alliance received $152,000 in 2023 and $99,996 in 2024 for sponsorship, indicating support for sector pipeline and representation work.

How National Restaurant Association Gives