Black Kitchen Initiative Grant (Heinz × The LEE Initiative)
The LEE Initiative, in partnership with Kraft Heinz and Southern Restaurants for Racial Justice (SRRJ)
Up to $25,000
Funding Black-owned food businesses
The Black Kitchen Initiative is an annual grant program that provides funding to independently owned Black food businesses that uplift the legacy of Black cuisine and foodways in the United States. Founded in 2020 and run since 2021 by The LEE Initiative in partnership with Kraft Heinz and Southern Restaurants for Racial Justice, the program has awarded more than $4 million to roughly 260 Black-owned restaurants, food spaces, and chefs. Recent grants have been $20,000 per recipient (program materials cite up to $25,000 based on need), supporting startups, established restaurants, and legacy establishments. Beyond capital, grantees receive educational webinars, collaborative events, and access to emergency relief. The program recurs annually but deadlines have shifted between September and March across cycles (the 4th-year cycle closed Sept 15, 2024; the 5th-year cycle closed March 5, 2025), with no confirmed open 2026 round as of June 2026. Kraft Heinz has committed $1 million-plus annually.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Private
- Amount range
- $20,000 – $25,000
- Realistic amount
- Recent awardees received $20,000; the stated ceiling is up to $25,000 based on demonstrated …
- Deadline
- Recurring annual program with no fixed open month — deadlines have shifted between September and March across cycles; no confirmed open 2026 round.
- Status
- between-intakes
- States
- Nationwide
- Payment model
- lump-sum
Who qualifies
- Independently owned Black food business (restaurant, food space, or chef-led business)
- Business uplifts the legacy of Black cuisine and foodways
- Based in the United States
- Startups, established restaurants, and legacy establishments are all eligible
- Franchisees are generally not the focus (program targets independently owned businesses)
Hard requirements
- Reserved for minority owned businesses
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Startup costs
- Business improvements and equipment
- Sustainability and operating funding
- Legacy-restaurant preservation
Ineligible expenses
- Uses unrelated to the food business
How to apply
-
1
Confirm the cycle is open
Check the LEE Initiative Black Kitchen Initiative page for the current (typically fall) application window.
~0.25 hrs
-
2
Prepare your business story
Document your business, its connection to Black cuisine and foodways, and your funding need (startup costs, improvements, sustainability, or legacy preservation).
~2 hrs
-
3
Complete and submit the application
Submit through the LEE Initiative's application for the current cycle. Some cycles have used phased deadlines.
~1.5 hrs
The program weights legacy and cultural impact heavily — applications that clearly tie the business to the preservation of Black culinary tradition tend to resonate more than a generic 'we need working capital' pitch. Apply early in the cycle; phased deadlines have favored earlier complete submissions in past years.
Deadline & timing
The program recurs annually but does not use a fixed 'fall' open. Documented cycles: 4th year 2024 (application deadline Sept 15, 2024) and 5th year 2025 (application deadline March 5, 2025). No confirmed open 2026 round as of June 2026 — the official LEE Initiative page describes the program but exposes no current cycle or deadline. Confirm the current round on the LEE Initiative site before applying.
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Last reviewed 2026. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.