Lee Initiative Incorporated
The LEE Initiative is a Louisville-based nonprofit that uses the power of food to support independent restaurants and hospitality workers through grants, direct relief, mentorship, and culinary education programs (e.g., Skill Kitchen and the Black Kitchen Initiative). The site publishes program pages and financial disclosures including recent Form 990s.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
Small-to-mid-sized independent restaurants, hospitality-worker support programs, or community organizations using food and culinary programs to advance racial justice and direct relief.
Good Fit
- • Proposals focused on racial justice or direct support for independent restaurants and hospitality workers.
- • Requests in the typical range of $10K–$25K for program or relief work (though occasional larger strategic partnerships are possible).
- • Ability to deploy funds quickly and demonstrate local impact in communities served.
- • Clear, concrete project plans and capacity for rapid reporting.
Geography
Observed grants cover many states (17 states in 2024 and more than 20 in earlier years) with very little in-state concentration, indicating a national multi-state footprint.
Recipient Variety
The funder distributed dozens of independent grants each year (45 recipients in 2024; historically 65–87 recipients in prior years), showing a broad and diverse recipient set despite a single large award in 2024.
New Applicants
Behavior shows very high new-recipient rates across multiple years (e.g., 2024: 44 of 45 were new), and the website lists program contacts and an application form, so unfamiliar applicants appear likely to gain entry.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
