LGBTQ-owned restaurants to receive $2M for COVID recovery in effort by Grubhub, National LGBT Chamber of Commerce

A food delivery giant and the world’s largest LGBTQ business advocacy organization are joining forces to provide much-needed help to LGBTQ-owned small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

On Tuesday, Grubhub and the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, or NGLCC, announced a joint effort to offer $2 million in grants to LGBTQ-owned restaurants and bars.

The NGLCC/Grubhub Community Impact Grant Program will offer grants ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 to queer (and queer-allied) owners of LGBTQ eateries — who were among the hardest hit by the coronavirus crisis, with loss of jobs and income for the past 18 months.

“We’re thrilled to partner with NGLCC and give back to the LGBTQ+ community — one that has shown incredible strength and support for those in need throughout the pandemic,” Kevin Kearns, Grubhub’s senior VP of restaurants, said in a statement.

“As the world starts to return to a new normal, we know many businesses are rebuilding and reopening, especially LGBTQ+-owned restaurants that are often the pillars of their communities,” he added.

Justin Nelson, NGLCC co-founder and president, said that the estimated 1.4 million LGBTQ-owned businesses in the U.S. have shown “incredible resilience” during the unprecedented global health crisis. “Now, in turn, we can help them recover stronger than ever,” he said.

“We often say at NGLCC that ‘If you can buy it, an LGBTQ+-owned business can supply it.’ That is especially true of the LGBTQ+-owned restaurants across America who kept our communities and first responders fed throughout the pandemic,” Nelson added.

Throughout June, NGLCC was the official partner of Grubhub’s Donate the Change program — which raises funds for organizations in need by allowing customers to round up their total and donating the difference.

Grubhub matches eligible donations from Grubhub+ members, according to a news release.

The proceeds raised will now be made available to support the community and LGBTQ-owned restaurants and bars.

According to the NGLCC, 30% of the funds will be allocated to businesses owned by people of color and transgender and gender non-conforming individuals.

To be eligible for the grants, applicants must provide proof that they are either an LGBTQ+-owned or an LGBTQ+ ally-owned restaurant, bar or café that serves food. They will also need to demonstrate loss of business due to the pandemic.

Applications for the program are now open and must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. PT on Oct. 12. Major grantees will be awarded during the NGLCC Back To Business (B2B) Summit in Hollywood, Fla. in November, as well as in local communities.