The MRAEF has embarked on a bold and necessary capital campaign focused on identifying and developing our next generation of leadership.
In 2000, Peter Christie, former MRA President/CEO, formed the MRA Hospitality Institute, a 401 (c) (3), later named the Massachusetts Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (MRAEF). Ernie Tremblay, President of Sylvan Street Grille, was elected our first chairman and remains very active.
In 2004, launched our initial 10-year benefactor program, where companies pledged $2,000 per year for a 10-year period. Our goal was to help fulfill the needs of every student applying for a scholarship.
As a result, the MRAEF has awarded over $1 million to over 700 students studying Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management.
The past 10 years have seen significant rises in tuition costs and our scholarship level of awards has remained stagnant until 2015 when Horizon Beverage committed $80,000 to the MRAEF towards four annual awards of $5,000 each.
By the end of 2000, we had 5 ProStart schools. Now, we’re up to 33 schools reaching over 2,000 students! Last year, we had a record amount of students applying for scholarships. Our goal is to be able to provide financial assistance to as many deserving students in need as possible, who dream of being in our industry.
As we see tremendous growth in ProStart, it’s more important than ever to be able to provide financial assistance to as many deserving students in need as possible, who dream of being in our industry.
Based on feedback from our benefactors, we have provided more choice on the amount of annual award and length of commitment.
We ask you to consider contributing any amount that works for you. The money contributed on this page will go towards the MRAEF General Scholarship Fund that will go towards an annual MRA scholarship.
If you would like to sponsor an annual scholarship, contact Stacey Sawyer, ssawyer@themassrest.org or 508-573-4192.
Thank you!