The HospitalityMaine Education Foundation , in collaboration with O'Maine Studios and Maine restaurant entrepreneurs, is seeking applications to award grants as part of its newly established Maine Restaurant Relief Fund. The fund supports restaurant owners in their efforts to reopen, rehire, and restock their businesses. The fund will aid with unexpected expenses relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Restaurant owners from across all sixteen counties of Maine are welcome to apply.
The HospitalityMaine Education Foundation will serve as the partner 501(c)(3) non-profit organization for this initiative. This restaurant relief fund program is made possible by the generous support of restaurant leaders, O'Maine Studios, and individual donors.
Grant Application
Grant Disclosure - All grant applications are at the final discretion of the HospitalityMaine Education Foundation. The Hospitality Maine Education Foundation will determine if the grant application is complete based on the requested criteria. (CLICK FOR REVIEW OF GRANT FUNDING GOALS)
Must be independently owned Maine restaurant (owner must have legal residence in Maine). Maine restaurants owners can only apply for one grant submission for one location in the state of Maine. Franchise owner applying for single location is allowed.
Grants will be randomly selected from submitted applications. The number of grants awarded to restaurants in each county will be based on the percentage of restaurants in each county compared to the total number of restaurants. For example, a county with 25% of the total number of restaurants in the state will receive 25% of the grants awarded.
Grants will be allocated to restaurant owners as the campaign hits key fundraising benchmarks with monthly grant selection every month from September to December.
Grants will be awarded up to a $5000 maximum grant.
Up to 10% of funds raised will be allocated to cost of sustaining the campaign.
The Hospitality Maine Education Foundation will be the 501(c)(3) providing the allocation of grants to Maine restaurant owners.
The intent of the grant is to help fund a cross-section of restaurant owners in all sixteen counties. Independent Maine restaurants owners are encouraged to participate in the media promotion even if the owner decides not to apply for a grant. See the Sunday Night Supper participation form for more details.
Deadline to apply is October 31, 2020