The Jacques Pépin Foundation announced on Jan. 20 that Black Veterans for Social Justice has been selected as a Winter 2026 Grant Awardee.
One of 20 organizations chosen in this round, BVSJ is a veteran-led nonprofit in Brooklyn that provides culinary training through its partnership with Promise Hospitality Group, helping veterans gain job readiness and secure long-term employment in the foodservice industry.
The grant will support instructor time, materials, supplies plus uniforms and transportation stipends for participants. In addition to the $10,000 award, BVSJ will receive JPF-branded aprons for students and a group membership to the foundation.
Founded in 2016 by the Pépin family, the Jacques Pépin Foundation works to strengthen communities through culinary education. The Foundation empowers and inspires professional chefs, home cooks and community kitchens nationwide by sharing Jacques Pépin’s legacy of culinary education.
“The JPF’s mission is realized in part by supporting programs that create opportunities through culinary training and giving grants to these important, impressive local organizations,” said Rollie Wesen, executive director of the JPF.
In 2019, JPF became a grant-making organization, and over the last seven years the foundation has awarded nearly $2 million to 98 nonprofit, community-based culinary arts training programs. These programs provide life skills and culinary training to individuals facing barriers to employment, based on the belief that culinary skills build self-confidence, improve health and open pathways to employment and career opportunities.
Black Veterans for Social Justice has served veterans and their families for 45 years, helping more than 6,000 veterans secure meaningful employment, placing over 1,000 individuals into permanent housing and distributing more than one million meals to veterans and the broader community.
Community-based culinary arts training programs are invited to apply to the Jacques Pépin Foundation Grant Program throughout the year. Grants are awarded twice annually, in summer and winter and applications for the Summer Grant Program open in February.
