The US-based International Downtown Association Foundation is a charitable non-profit whose Backing International Small Restaurants grant, supported by American Express, is designed to help small independent restaurants develop their business, whether through refurbishing their venue, improving kitchen operations, enhancing digital capabilities, or carrying out other improvements. Past funding recipients include Chuku's, Buster Mantis, and The Goods Office in London, among others.
The IDAF grant is available in major cities around the world, including Sydney, Tokyo, and Mexico City, and Manchester is joining their ranks this year for the first time. In total, twenty restaurants in London and Manchester will split a pot of £220,000 (£11,000 per recipient). The restaurants must be in operation already and have a bricks-and-mortar location in one of the two cities, so if you're a restaurant owner or think your favourite local restaurant deserves a boost, make sure they apply.
Applications for the IDAF Backing International Small Restaurants are open until 30 May. You can find out more about the grant and how to apply here.