The Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation works to advance professionalism and career opportunities in the hospitality industry through education, scholarships, and community involvement. The IRAEF serves as the charitable arm of the Iowa Restaurant Association. Along with the ProStart career and technical education high school program, the IRAEF also focuses on strengthening today’s workforce by providing educational opportunities for professional development and employee retention for those already working in the industry.
The IRAEF is working with public schools across the state to build a strong public/private partnership in education. Today, Iowa’s restaurant industry accounts for nearly 10% of Iowa’s workforce. The IRAEF creates and promotes awareness of hospitality as a professional career path and strengthens and improves educational offerings and opportunities for the advancement of the restaurant and retail beverage industries in the state of Iowa.
A top initiative of the IRAEF is to build tomorrow’s workforce by preparing Iowa high school students for the high-skilled careers in the restaurant industry through the Iowa ProStart Program. Additionally, the IRAEF awards scholarships to students and educators to provide continued industry education.
Opportunities to Give… Building Tomorrow’s Workforce Takes Investment Today!
Within the past 5 years, the Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation has grown its ProStart High School career tech education program from 3 to 23 schools. This growth is in large part due to the resources available to schools through the Iowa Restaurant Association’s charitable arm. But we cannot continue to develop this program at this pace without industry and individual donor support.
As someone who is a part of Iowa’s hospitality industry, you can target your charitable giving to an organization that benefits its future.The Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation has two path to donate.
100% Tax Deductible
First, you can give a 100 percent tax deductible donation directly to the Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation. The Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) and you will receive a letter recognizing your fully tax deductible contribution.
100% Tax Credits
Second is through the Endow Iowa Fund. Your donations to the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines can be earmarked for the IRAEF. Through Endow Iowa, you can both tax deduct your contribution and receive tax credits through the state. You will help grow the future of the Iowa Restaurant industry and its future workforce, contribute to a great cause and receive nearly full return through designated tax credits.
Contributions to the IRAEF ensure the continued growth of our industry by directly supporting future chefs, managers, operators and suppliers. Whether it’s through your support of the ProStart Program or your philanthropic gifts, your donations are essential to our success.
The Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation works to advance professionalism and career opportunities in the hospitality industry through education, scholarships, and community involvement. The IRAEF serves as the charitable arm of the Iowa Restaurant Association. Along with the ProStart career and technical education high school program, the IRAEF also focuses on strengthening today’s workforce by providing educational opportunities for professional development and employee retention for those already working in the industry.
The IRAEF is working with public schools across the state to build a strong public/private partnership in education. Today, Iowa’s restaurant industry accounts for nearly 10% of Iowa’s workforce. The IRAEF creates and promotes awareness of hospitality as a professional career path and strengthens and improves educational offerings and opportunities for the advancement of the restaurant and retail beverage industries in the state of Iowa.
A top initiative of the IRAEF is to build tomorrow’s workforce by preparing Iowa high school students for the high-skilled careers in the restaurant industry through the Iowa ProStart Program. Additionally, the IRAEF awards scholarships to students and educators to provide continued industry education.
