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 27 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.

The IRAEF Needs Your Help!

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.

The Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, therefore donations are 100% tax-deductible.

100% Tax Deductible
Donation to the IRAEF

 Or send a check made payable to:
Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation
1501 42nd St. Suite 294
West Des Moines, IA 50266

You will receive a thank you letter that will also serve, for tax purposes, as our official acknowledgement of your contribution.

Give to the IRAEF
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. Contribute to the future of the Iowa hospitality industry and receive nearly full return through designated tax credits. Simply click the button above, search Fund Type: “Seed Funds”, Fund Name: “Iowa Restaurant Association Education Foundation Endow Iowa Fund”, and complete the form on the webpage.

Sponsor a
$1,000 Scholarship

Honor a family member, mentor, business leader, educator, or hospitality business person by sponsoring a $1,000 Named Scholarship in their name. With a minimum scholarship donation of $1,000, the IRAEF will name and present the scholarship in honor of the person, people or organization on your behalf.

If you would like to participate in sponsoring a $1,000 Named Scholarship, please contact
May Schaben; 515-419-1863; mschaben@restaurantiowa.com