A black and white graphic with the word "CHARITY" in bold, three-dimensional text.
Logo of Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation with three silhouetted figures wearing graduation caps and gowns.

IRA EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION

The Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (IRAEF) offers life-changing opportunities for students and provides direction for potential culinary and hospitality career paths. From September 15 - 29, Chicago Gourmet will host its annual Virtual Auction.  One hundred percent of the proceeds from the Auction provide scholarships for aspiring chefs and hospitality professionals.

The IRAEF scholarships initiative has provided more than $3.6 million dollars in scholarships to qualified students to date. With generous support of dedicated sponsors, the IRAEF is shaping Illinois' hospitality workforce through career development and exploration programs, scholarships and image enhancement.

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IRAEF RESTAURANT EMPLOYEE RELIEF FUND

In October 2020, the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (IRAEF) launched the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund. This statewide emergency assistance fund was established to provide direct financial support to restaurant industry workers in Illinois who face an unforeseen hardship due to COVID-19. The Restaurant Employee Relief Fund was made possible thanks to the generosity of our founding donors at Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits, Constellation, Beam Suntory, Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois (ABDI), EMPLOYERS, and Josh Cellars, along with our champion donors and charitable partners. The IRAEF has provided grants to 580+ foodservice employees, totaling over $305,000. 

The IRAEF's priority continues to be to support industry workers through the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund. We have recently expanded the qualifications to offer emergency assistance to Illinois food and beverage employees facing an unanticipated hardship within the past 90 days, such as accident, illness, injury, death of an immediate family member, or natural disaster. Grants will help cover the cost of living expenses for life-altering events and range from $250-$3000. We are proud to continue to support restaurant employees, and thank you for your support! 

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