James Beard Foundation — a nonprofit organization whose mission includes celebrating leaders in American food culture — announced the launch of its grant initiative back in September to support Black and Indigenous Americans working in the F&B industries.

Black and Indigenous-owned businesses are closing at disproportionate rates.

Donate now to the JBF Investment Fund for Black and Indigenous Americans which provides emergency relief grants and mentorship to those businesses most at risk.

Give today: https://t.co/FO8FoEd1Ec pic.twitter.com/n30MmK1Bvg

— James Beard Foundation (@beardfoundation) December 15, 2020

The foundation has now officially opened up applications to provide these grants (valued at $15,000) to F&B businesses majority-owned by Black or Indigenous individuals.

According to a press release, the initiative was initially launched as a component of the organization’s Open For Good campaign that kicked off back in April of 2019, to rebuild a stronger, more independent restaurant industry post-pandemic.

“The new fund is part of the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to continually lift up the Black and Indigenous business owners in its industry, not just in light of the pandemic, but for good,” said James Beard Foundation vice president of community, Colleen Vincent, in a statement.

Applications for the first round of grants — which offers 18 grants total and one for each of three business types across six regions — will open today at 3 p.m. ET and close on Jan. 22nd at 3 p.m. ET.

For now, these generous grants will be given to applicable business-owners on a first-come, first-serve basis. The grant initiative’s second application round will be announced as funds become available.

For more information about the new fund, click here.

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