COVID-19

Assistance and Resource Guide for Restaurants

March 27, 2020

A resource guide for restaurants and bars impacted by the COVID-19/Coronavirus crisis.

National Assistance and Resource Guide

Relief Opportunities for All Restaurants (ROAR) - Relief Opportunities for All Restaurants (ROAR) is an organization that has partnered with Robin Hood — New York City’s largest and most-effective poverty-fighting organization — to raise donations for a New York City restaurant employee relief fund for restaurant industry workers who’ve found themselves out of work from mandated shutdowns due to COVID-19. Recipients of the fund will receive a one-time grant of $500 to help with rent, put food on the table, pay for medication, school, child care and more.

Independent Restaurant Coalition (IRC) - The Independent Restaurant Coalition (IRC) was formed to save the local restaurants and bars affected by COVID-19 and the subsequent economic fallout. They represent the 11 million independent restaurant employees who are at risk of losing their jobs due to COVID-19 as well as 500,000 small businesses across the country.

National Restaurant Association - Resources and information by state.

National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) - Restaurant employees who suffer a financial hit from the COVID-19 pandemic can request a one-time payment of $500 from this relief fund.

James Beard Foundation Relief Fund - To help bring swift economic relief to these essential businesses, the Foundation launched a fund that will be gathering support from corporate, foundation, and individual donors to provide micro-grants to independent food and beverage businesses in need.

ROC United Relief - In this time of crisis, Restaurant Opportunities Centers United is providing resources and financial assistance to restaurant workers impacted by the coronavirus crisis.

Oyster Sunday - Oyster Sunday is committed to supporting independent restaurants during COVID-19 with free consultations to ensure they have another resource in their corner during these unimaginably trying times. From communications to thinking through cash flow constraints, their consultation service is free, available and open to all restaurants.

Spill the Dish- Database of financial aid that combines donor funds with resources from government agencies and nonprofits

Give Local - Aggregating lists of restaurants promoting gift card sales while doors are closed

Another Round, Another Rally Fund - Another Round, Another Rally is offering $500 relief grants for hospitality workers who lost their jobs or had their hours slashed in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak. We’re also collecting donations from community members willing to help their hospitality-industry friends and neighbors stay afloat in this time of uncertainty.

Lift Your Spirits Fund - Make a video in which you mix your favorite drink, say a toast to those affected in the restaurant, foodservice and hospitality industry, and post it to your social media accounts using #LiftYourSpirits. The last step is to challenge your friends to do the same and to send a gift to the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) that turns a tip into a donation for restaurant, foodservice and hospitality workers impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

USBG Emergency Fund - Bartender emergency assistance program available to all bartenders or the spouse or child of a bartender.

RWCF Crisis Relief Fund - A crisis relief fund to direct money to organizations leading on-the-ground efforts in the restaurant community, to provide zero-interest loans to businesses to maintain payroll during closure or re-open once this crisis has passed, and to establish a relief fund for individual workers facing economic hardships or health crises as a direct result of COVID-19.

OFW Emergency Fund - Providing free, cash assistance to restaurant workers, delivery drivers and other tipped workers and service workers — who are seeing their income decline during this disaster or aren’t able to work because of quarantines or other health concerns.

CORE Gives - CORE grants support to children of food and beverage service employees navigating life-altering circumstances.

Rent Assistance - Rent assistance provides a directory of rental assistance agencies and organizations that will help you pay your rent. Some listings are government organizations other are non-profits and charities that offer rental assistance programs.

Dining Bonds Initiative - Due to the impact that the coronavirus COVID-19 has had on the restaurant community, a collective of restaurant industry professionals have set a global initiative in motion to get funds into the hands of restaurants NOW, even if they are temporarily closed. A Dining Bond works like a savings bond, where you can purchase a "bond" at a value rate to be redeemed for face value at a future date.

Facebook Small Business Grants Program - Grants will be available for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries. That would be an average of $3,333 per business.

Assistance and Resource Guide for Restaurants

National Assistance and Resource Guide

Restaurant Resources and Assistance by State

Deliver Smarter Hospitality

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