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.