The Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation, the charitable arm of the Iowa Restaurant Association is the leading education resource for the development of a professional and highly skilled hospitality workforce in the state of Iowa, building connections between educational entities and industry employers seeking trained, qualified students and job candidates. For Iowa’s current hospitality industry workforce, the IRAEF delivers education and communication programs to train, grow, retain, and advance employees.

ProStart, a two-year high school program, is one of the largest industry supported career education programs in the nation. The program develops students for long-term, successful careers in the restaurant and hospitality industry and is creating a pool of talent right here in Iowa. With 1,100+ students at 28 Iowa high schools, Iowa ProStart is leading the way in Career and Technical Education in the state. Nationally, the program reaches over 150,000 students in more than 1,900 high schools across all 50 states, Guam and the Department of Defense Education Activity schools in Europe and the Pacific.

Contributions and donations are needed to continue providing valuable resources to support ProStart educators and students, and to carry out other important IRAEF workforce initiatives. Funding also supports the Iowa ProStart Invitational that sends winning teams to compete in the National ProStart Invitational, mentoring and internship opportunities for students, scholarships, and professional development and recognition for educators.

We believe everyone deserves an equal opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background. One student who will benefit from your donation is Tavian, a senior at Waukee High School. Tavian had a tough childhood and has lived in foster care throughout his high school career. However, through the ProStart program, he discovered a love for the culinary arts and earned his ProStart Certificate of Achievement.

Tavian is the epitome of resilience and determination. He has already started a successful business called Cheesecake Vending Machine. Not only does he earn income from the business, he regularly donates cheesecakes to causes close to his heart—including the Big Brother Big Sister program and Children & Families of Iowa. His passion for cooking has led him to pursue a degree at the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York, where he will start this fall.

Your Tax-Deductible Contribution Makes a Difference

Your donation to the Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation scholarship program, is an investment in young people like Tavian who are pursuing their dreams to create a better future for themselves and their communities. All donations are tax-deductible and any amount will make a difference in how much we are able to give.