Independent Restaurant Coalition/J.P. Morgan Chase Innovator Awards for Independent Restaurants and Bars in the U.S. (up to $25,000)

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About Independent Restaurant Coalition/J.P. Morgan Chase Innovator Awards

Independent restaurants and bars are where creativity meets community. Whether it’s prioritizing your team’s well-being, reducing waste, building community partnerships, or finding new ways to grow sustainably, you push boundaries. You try new things. You create places that matter.

That’s why the Independent Restaurant Coalition and Chase are teaming up to recognize 40 independent restaurants and bars across the country that will each receive $25,000 to strengthen the ideas, practices, and business models that set them apart and prove that success and responsibility can go hand in hand.

• Sponsor Organisation: JPMorgan Chase

Benefits of Independent Restaurant Coalition/J.P. Morgan Chase Innovator Awards

• Up to 40 independent restaurants and bars across the country that will each receive $25,000

Independent Restaurant Coalition/J.P. Morgan Chase Innovator Awards Requirements

To be eligible, your business must:

• Be located in the U.S.
• Have a valid EIN or TIN
• Have 20 locations or less, and have less than $13MM in 2024 revenue 
• Be in business for at least 2 years
• Be owned by legal U.S. residents who agree to a background check
• Be in good standing with all tax and government authorities

For full details on eligibility, please see the Terms & Conditions.

How does your independent business innovate?

Examples include but are not limited to the following:

1. Sustainability & Environmental Innovation

Zero-waste kitchens, hyper-local sourcing, food rescue partnerships, reusable and refillable programs, low carbon menus, renewable energy adoption

2. Workforce Support & Industry Innovation

Leadership or culinary training, childcare support, mental health & wellness, collective healthcare purchasing, employee profit-sharing, employee project funding, financial or legal aid workshops

3. Community Collaboration & Impact

Mutual aid restaurant hubs, school lunch or curriculum partnerships, disaster relief kitchens, restaurant co-ops, local farmers or artisan pop-ups, sliding scale dinners, resource events

Application Date and Process

• Click on the link to the application website to apply.

What you need to apply

1. All documents must be typed and submitted in one of the following permitted file formats: XLSX, PDF, or DOCX.

2. Your most recent annual profit & loss sheet and balance sheet.

3. A budget showing how the grant will be used to fulfill your vision.

4. A letter from a community member, partner or vendor supporting your application.

5. Decide which innovation category best fits your business's programs/initiatives to answer the application questions.

• Sustainability & Environmental Innovation: How does your establishment (or "business") prioritize sustainability and the support of local products, farmers, and services? Share your goals for further enhancing your sustainability practices. (500-1000 words)
• Workforce support & Insustry Innovation: How does your establishment (or "business") prioritize the health and well-being of your team and model a new standard of workforce support? Share your goals for further enhancing these workforce and labor practices. (500-1000 words)
• Community Collaboration & Support: How does your establishment (or "business") collaborate with and support your local community? Share your goals for strengthening these practices and community relationships. (500-1000words)

6. Describe how this grant will help your business achieve its goals and objectives, as well as positively impact your local community and dining industry at large (500-1000 words)

Application Deadline

27 August, 2025

Scholarship Application Portal

Apply for Independent Restaurant Coalition/J.P. Morgan Chase Innovator Awards