ProStart® high schools across the country can win a $5,000 grant to make a difference for their educators, students and community, thanks to The Rachael Ray Foundation (RRF).
Through The Rachael Ray Foundation ProStart Grow Grants, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation will provide grants for ProStart schools or schools with culinary arts programs, demonstrating a strong need to build up or enhance programming. 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.
ProStart, a two-year technical education program focused on culinary arts and restaurant management, is offered at 2,200 schools across the country and enrolls more than 222,000 students who are closely connected to industry experts through guest speakers, class mentors, tours of local facilities, student competitions, and more – all to ensure real-world experience is brought directly to the classroom. ProStart students finish the program ready to join the workforce and make an immediate impact in restaurants and foodservice.
Funding from RRF will provide schools the opportunity to upgrade or purchase new resources, build up their classrooms in preparation for return to school, and support teachers with whatever they need to help their students learn career-building skills.
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation will facilitate the grant process by accepting applications from all current or onboarding/incoming ProStart schools for the 2025-2026 academic year. Each school will submit a complete application and, if selected, will be required to sign an agreement about joining ProStart for the next school year or return the funds.
Application and Timeline
Applicants will need a valid email address (accessible year-round) to create a profile on our portal to access the application. The application includes a complete profile and four application sections with one student essay and two educator essays.
- Applications open: Week of Monday, August 18, 2025
- Applications close Friday, September 19, 2025 at 11:59pm ET
- Winning schools will be notified in October 2025
For more information, please contact ProStart@nraef.org
Grow Grant FAQs
What is the Rachael Ray Grow Grant program?
In 2019, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation partnered with the Rachael Ray Foundation to create the ProStart Grow Grants. The ProStart Grow Grants provide $5,000 grants to ProStart schools, or schools interested in becoming a ProStart school, with grants to support their programs.
How do the Grow Grants work?
Schools with existing ProStart programs, or those looking to join the program submit an application, with winning schools demonstrating how the ProStart program positively impacts their students and the community.
What will the Grow Grants cover?
Funding from the Rachel Ray Foundation provides grants to help schools build or grow a ProStart program and to help support their students learn career-enhancing skills. Areas covered include but are
not limited to:
- Student Uniforms – Chef coats, footwear, hats, aprons, etc.
- Travel – Industry field trips, college visits, competition
- Curriculum and Academic Resources – Textbooks, practice materials, exams,
- Educator Professional Development
- Kitchen Equipment
- Horticulture Equipment and Projects
Who needs to submit the application?
Applications can be submitted by ProStart educators, high school family and consumer sciences instructors or school administrators. The application link will be posted on or about August 18, 2025.
Can our school apply again, if we have received a grant in the past?
Yes. schools can receive the grant up to two times in a three-year period. If the school has received the grant more than once since 2023, that school would no longer be eligible.
How are the winners chosen?
The NRAEF assembles a panel of independent judges to review the applications. During a two-week judging period, the panel will review each application using a defined rubric to help select recipients. The final selections will be made based on the following need-based qualifications:
- How the grant will make an impact on the school, the students, and the community
- Barriers to success (e.g. financial support, access to resources, etc.)
- Efficacy of program (e.g. working towards building the ProStart program, administering exams, obtaining the COA, etc.)
- Classroom equipment
What is the role of the State Restaurant Associations?
The NRAEF will provide materials to State Restaurant Associations (SRAs) to help them promote the grant to educators and school administrators in their state. Upon selecting the schools, the NRAEF will also work with SRA partners to announce the selections and support the school in implementing the grant work.
Once schools are selected, what happens next?
The NRAEF will be in contact with the applicant to notify and congratulate their school on the award. From there we will provide next steps on how we will move forward.
Are there any tips or guidelines I should follow?
This grant is the first-of-its-kind, so here are some tips for success in submitting your application.
Be detailed. Share specific examples that help illustrate the need for the grant. Share detailed information about how the funds will be used and the impact they will have.
Demonstrate the need. This is a need-based grant, so be sure to effectively convey why your ProStart school should be selected for this exciting opportunity.
For more information, contact ProStart@nraef.org with additional questions.
For more information and questions, contact ProStart@nraef.org.
About ProStart
ProStart is a career and technical education program teaching culinary arts and restaurant management fundamentals in nearly 1,800 high schools across the country. During the two-year curriculum, ProStart showcases the breadth of opportunities the industry has to offer and leverages it as a lens to learn crucial skillsets including marketing, math, public speaking, teamwork, and time management. Students complete ProStart prepared for either college or a career. ProStart is offered in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Department of Defense bases around the world. ProStart is run by the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation.
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.
