Fresno's China Express was the recipient of a Resilience grant from the California Restaurant Foundation. Google Street View photo

The application period for the California Restaurant Federation’s latest Resilience Fund round will remain open until May 7, offering grants of up to $5,000 for restaurants to use for various improvements, upgrades and staff retention bonuses.

Through donations from SoCalGas, the PG&E Corporation Foundation and San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E), the 2023 total Resilience Fund sits at $2.1 million — the largest program to date — and has allowed the CRF to increase available grants to $5,000 from $3,000 previously. 

To be eligible, restaurants must be California-based and located in the utility companies’ service area, must have fewer than five units and less than $3 million in annual revenue.

Past local winners of the Resilience grant include Fresno eateries Ohana Pantry, Rocket Doug Gourmet Brats and Brew, Starving Artists Bistro, China Express and more.

Priority will be given to first-time applicants, but previous grant recipients are still encouraged to re-apply.

“We were overwhelmed by the generosity of SoCalGas, PG&E Foundation and SDG&E, who have continued to show up year after year to underwrite the Resilience Fund and support California’s independent restaurants owners and their staff,” said Executive Director of CRF Alycia Harshfield. “As it’s been our ongoing goal to invest in strengthening California’s small businesses, we are thrilled to expand the resources and grant focuses this year.”

Last year’s Resilience Fund grants were to be committed to retention bonuses and equipment upgrades.

This year, grant focus has been extended to include technology adoption, employee onboarding or unforeseen hardships, reflecting the priorities of the Resilience Fund’s goal of strengthening the California restaurant community.

The Resilience Fund was founded in 2021 to help combat the challenges faced by restaurants during the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, SoCalGas, PG&E and SDG&E committed $1 million, $900,000 and $200,000 respectively.

Since the fund has been active, 788 grants have been awarded to restaurants throughout the state — 68.5% of which were women-owned and 83% minority-owned.

“We are looking forward to reaching new restaurants and extending our support to deserving families and restaurant owners across our beautiful and diverse Golden State,” Harshfield added.

California-based restaurants are encouraged to apply at the Restaurants Care website. The application period for grants has been open since April 15, and will remain open until May 7.