Applications Now Open: 48 High Schools to Benefit from $5,000 Grants to Launch or Grow ProStart Culinary Arts and Restaurant Management Programs

The Rachael Ray Foundation and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation join forces to cultivate future restaurant careers through ProStart CTE program.

Apply here through September 19

WASHINGTON, Aug. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Rachael Ray Foundation and the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) are once again teaming up to support high school culinary arts and restaurant management education through the 2025 Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grants. High schools across the country can now apply for a $5,000 grant to enhance or launch their ProStart career and technical education (CTE) programs. Applications are open now through 11:59 p.m. ET on September 19, at this link.

Forty-eight high schools will be selected to receive grants that can be used to upgrade classroom equipment and resources – supporting educators who are delivering ProStart's industry-driven curriculum in culinary arts and restaurant management fundamentals. Schools looking to kick-start their own ProStart program in the 2026-2027 academic year are also eligible to apply for funds, which can be used to set up their new kitchens and classrooms for success. Selected schools will be notified in October.

"ProStart is inspiring students by connecting them with the numerous career opportunities that exist in the restaurant industry – with the program's incredible educators at the forefront of this career-building work," said Rachael Ray, founder of The Rachael Ray Foundation. "I'm excited to partner with the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation once again to give teachers the tools they need to invest in these young people and show them all that's possible in our industry."

This year marks the sixth round of Grow Grant funding from The Rachael Ray Foundation, which has awarded more than $1 million to ProStart schools across 153 grants to-date and made further investment in restaurant and foodservice-focused career education – including over 260 scholarships through Rachael Ray's Yum-o! Organization.

"The Rachael Ray Foundation's continued support of ProStart has helped to transform its classrooms into launchpads for future chefs, managers, and entrepreneurs," said Rob Gifford, president of the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. "These grants speak to the power of ProStart in building tomorrow's restaurant industry careers – and the educators who bring this program to life each day."

ProStart is a two-year CTE program offered in high schools and technical centers across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Students gain hands-on experience and industry certifications, preparing them for careers in restaurants and foodservice. Culinary students learn to prepare a three-course meal using only two butane burners, while restaurant management students develop business plans for original restaurant concepts.

"The Rachael Ray Grow Grant has transformed our culinary program and opened new doors for our students," said Suzanne Fekete-Stilley, a ProStart Instructor at Albany High School in Albany, Louisiana, which received a 2024 Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grant. "Not only were we able to provide industry-recognized certifications to every student, but the field trip to New Orleans gave them real-world exposure to culinary careers. I've seen their confidence and skills grow tremendously. One student even secured a part-time position at a local restaurant because of their ServSafe certification. This grant has truly helped us grow future culinary professionals."

The NRAEF administers the Grow Grant application process. Schools must submit a complete application by the deadline. New ProStart schools selected for funding must sign an agreement to join the program or return the funds.

For more information and to apply, click here. 

About the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF): As the supporting philanthropic foundation of the National Restaurant Association, the NRAEF's charitable mission includes enhancing the industry's training and education, career development, and community engagement efforts. The NRAEF and its programs work to Attract, Empower, and Advance today and tomorrow's restaurant and foodservice workforce. NRAEF programs include: ProStart® – a high-school career and technical education program; Restaurant Ready/HOPES – Partnering with community based organizations to provide people with skills training and job opportunities; Military – helping military servicemen and women transition their skills to restaurant and foodservice careers; Scholarships – financial assistance for students pursuing restaurant, foodservice and hospitality degrees; and the Restaurant & Hospitality Leadership Center (RHLC) – accredited apprenticeship programs designed to build the careers of service professionals. For more information on the NRAEF, visit ChooseRestaurants.org.   

About The Rachael Ray Foundation
The Rachael Ray Foundation™ (RRF) is a private foundation that is fully funded by the proceeds from the sale of Rachael Ray™ Nutrish®. RRF was launched by Rachael in 2016 to better support the causes she cares for most such as helping animals in need. Additionally, RRF works with organizations that support the mission of Yum-o!, Rachael's 501c3, in order to bolster and amplify their efforts through additional funding. Yum-o! empowers kids and their families to develop healthy relationships with food and cooking. It also teaches families to cook, feeds hungry kids, and funds cooking education, among other initiatives.

SOURCE National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation