Statewide Grants Support Equipment Upgrades, Unforeseen Hardships and Employee Training
Sacramento, CA (RestaurantNews.com) The California Restaurant Foundation (CRF), a nonprofit that invests in and empowers California restaurants and their workforce, is awarding 231 independent restaurants and local catering businesses throughout California with $5,000 grants as part of its fifth consecutive Restaurants Care® Resilience Fund. The grants were made possible by thoughtful donations from The PG&E Corporation Foundation (PG&E Foundation) and SoCalGas – generous fund contributors since 2021. Recipients can use the financial assistance for equipment and technology upgrades, unforeseen hardships, employee retention bonuses and employee training, all of which allow California’s independent restaurant owners and caterers to invest in the longevity of their business and employees.
“The Resilience Fund has become so much more than just financial support – it’s a lifeline for local restaurant owners who put their hearts into feeding their communities, and these grants help independent operators care for their teams and invest in a future they believe in,“ said Alycia Harshfield, President of CRF. “We’re deeply grateful to our utility partners for their continued dedication to uplift California’s restaurants and help them stay strong in the face of uncertainty, standing by us year after year so we can see the entire restaurant community thrive.”
While most restaurants no longer face the same crises they first experienced in 2020, the reality is that many are still struggling to regain their footing. Independent operators continue to battle soaring food costs, workforce challenges and the lasting economic effects of the pandemic. The Resilience Fund remains as critical today as it was in its first year, and these grants provide a safety net and path to long-term stability. They help to keep neighborhood favorites open, preserve jobs and support the cultural and economic fabric of our communities.
Among the 231 restaurants awarded, 188 are in Pacific Gas and Electric’s service area and 43 in SoCalGas’ territory. 87 percent are single-unit establishments, with an average of 11 years in business. More than 58 percent of this year’s recipients are expected to use their grants for kitchen equipment, and 20 percent will dedicate the funds to technology upgrades. To qualify, the restaurants and caterers needed to have fewer than five units, and less than $3 million in revenue. View the full list of 2025 Restaurants Care® Resilience Fund grant recipients here: RestaurantsCare.org/resilience-general/.
“This grant is truly a blessing. I launched my restaurant without savings or formal training – just a deep passion for feeding people and the unwavering support of my family, and over time, we’ve grown into a full-service restaurant with a dedicated team and a loyal community behind us,” said Dawn Borst, owner of Bayside Cafe in Morro Bay. “With rising costs, it’s been challenging to make the equipment upgrades we need, and this support will allow us to operate more efficiently and bring new offerings to our guests, including a homemade dessert menu we’ve been dreaming of.”
Since 2021, the Resilience Fund has provided financial assistance to more than 2087 independent restaurants and caterers throughout California. The Resilience Fund is currently accepting additional support from corporations, foundations and individuals wanting to invest in California’s food community. Donations of all sizes are accepted and celebrated at RestaurantsCare.org/resilience.
For more information about the California Restaurant Foundation, Restaurants Care or the Resilience Fund, please visit RestaurantsCare.org.
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About the California Restaurant Foundation (CRF)
Restaurants Care
is a program of the California Restaurant Foundation, a non-profit that empowers and invests in California’s restaurant workforce. Founded in 1981, CRF supports the restaurant community through relief grants for restaurant workers facing a hardship, job and life skills training for 14,500 high school students each year, and scholarships. California is home to more than 90,000 eating and drinking places that ring up more than $72 billion in sales and employ more than 1.6 million workers, making restaurants an indisputable driving force in the state’s economy. For more information visit CalRestFoundation.org.
Media Contact:
Kristyna Otto
Powerhouse+Co.
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