DoorDash Canada has announced a partnership with the Black Opportunity Fund to provide substantial financial support to Black-owned and led restaurants across the nation. Through the #BlackFoodEnergy initiative, this collaboration will distribute $800,000 in grants by the end of 2025, each grant valued at $10,400.
Statistics Canada’s “Black Business Owners in Canada Report” reveals the stark financial disparities faced by Black entrepreneurs. Black male business owners earn an average of $43,300 less annually than their white counterparts, while Black female business owners earn $16,000 less than white female business owners. These figures highlight the pressing need for financial support and equitable opportunities, which the #BlackFoodEnergy initiative seeks to address.
“Investing in Black chefs and Black restaurateurs across Canada who contribute to the fabric of their neighbourhood can feed meaningful change with lasting impacts in all of our communities,” said Delly Dyer, Head of Consumer Brand Marketing at DoorDash Canada. “Our partners at Black Opportunity Fund understand the need for platforms like #BlackFoodEnergy and we’re proud to collaborate with them to increase access to funding opportunities.”
Eligible Black-owned restaurants are invited to apply for the next round of grants, open until Thursday, July 25. Key eligibility criteria include being primarily Black-owned with fewer than three locations and employing less than 50 people per location. Applicants must also provide a detailed plan on how the grant will be utilized and demonstrate their community support initiatives. Notably, a partnership with DoorDash is not required for application.
Each $10,000 grant can be used for various business needs, including innovations and expansions approved by the Black Opportunity Fund. The first round of applications closes on July 25, with recipients notified in September. Further rounds will open on a rolling basis through December 2025.
Craig Wellington, CEO of Black Opportunity Fund, emphasized the importance of such initiatives: “By creating additional and non-traditional funding opportunities for Black entrepreneurs through programs like #BlackFoodEnergy Restaurant Grants, we’re creating a more sustainable and viable economic community. Through our conversations over the years, we’ve found a partner in DoorDash Canada who shares a similar mission as us – to empower communities across the country by connecting them with meaningful opportunities.”
The high costs of running a restaurant in Canada, coupled with limited access to funding, make these grants vital for the sustainability and growth of Black-owned businesses. These funds aim to alleviate financial barriers and foster economic equity within the restaurant industry.
For more information and to apply for the #BlackFoodEnergy grants, eligible restaurateurs can visit the official program page on Black Opportunity Fund’s platform.