The COVID-19 pandemic has placed an incredible burden on the Connecticut restaurant industry. Connecticut was home to 8,000+ restaurants and employed over 160,000 people before the mandated closure on March 16, 2020. This resulted in thousands of layoffs, and ultimately over 600 restaurants closing their doors in Connecticut. We continue to see closures every week.

CT restaurant owners and operators need immediate financial relief in order to stay in business, aid their employees, and survive the impact of this crisis. The mission of the CT Restaurant Relief Fund is to provide immediate financial relief to Connecticut’s restaurant industry with funds designed to save these businesses and protect its workforce.

The COVID-19 pandemic has placed an incredible burden on the Connecticut restaurant industry. Connecticut was home to 8,000+ restaurants and employed over 160,000 people before the mandated closure on March 16, 2020. This resulted in thousands of layoffs, and ultimately over 600 restaurants closing their doors in Connecticut. We continue to see closures every week.

GRANT SIZE & SCOPE

The CT Restaurant Relief Fund initiative strives to provide Connecticut’s restaurants with immediate financial support in the form of grants valued at $5,000 per location. In this unprecedented time, the luxury of establishing an endowment before engaging the community to identify grant recipients does not exist. The CHEF will distribute funds as they become available. Membership in the Connecticut Restaurant Association has no bearing on selection. Grants awarded to restaurants still in operation are to be used to keep their doors open and workers employed.

GOALS

There are three primary goals of the CT Restaurant Relief Fund:

• To provide restaurants with critically needed financial support immediately.

• To financially support restaurateurs, keeping restaurants open and workers employed.

• To provide those seeking a reputable source through which to financially support the Connecticut restaurant industry and its employees affected by COVID-19.

DISTRIBUTION OF GRANTS

Staff from the Connecticut Restaurant Association and Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation will oversee the distribution of grants.

Qualifications

1. Restaurant is located in Connecticut;

2. At least 25% sales loss in 2020 compared to 2019 OR business opened after October 1, 2019;

3. The restaurant remains open providing modified service (takeout / delivery);

Additional Criteria to be Considered:

1. Priority for sole proprietors, women owned and minority owned businesses;

2. Overall Sales % decrease comparing 2020 to 2019;

3. Additional grants received;

4. Members of the Connecticut Restaurant Association Board of Directors and the Connecticut Hospitality Educational Foundation Board of Directors ARE NOT eligible for these grants.

Grant Distribution Guidelines:

1. CHEF launches Grant Application at 12 pm on January 25, 2021.

2. Applications accepted through 5 pm February 5, 2021.

3. All applications will be reviewed and scored based on the qualifications and criteria above.

4. CHEF Staff will review all applications using a rubric method and then provide award recommendations to the CT Hospitality Educational Foundation Board of Directors.

5. Grants will begin to be distributed beginning on February 23, 2021 and will continue based on additional funds received.

6. Only one grant will be issued for restaurant groups. If you own more than one restaurant, consider applying for the business in most need.

**dates subject to change. Please check website for updates.