FWFWF Kirkpatrick Visionary Award

The Kirkpatrick Visionary Award (KVA) is an annual grant initiative administered by the Fort Worth Food + Wine Foundation (FWFWF), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to uplifting the North Texas culinary ecosystem. The award celebrates the legacy of Russell Kirkpatrick, co-founder of the Fort Worth Food + Wine Festival and a dedicated supporter of the local hospitality community. This grant recognizes and funds culinary innovators whose ideas embody leadership, creativity, and community impact. Applicants may receive up to $5,000 to pursue bold, forward-thinking initiatives that are rooted in culinary arts, entrepreneurship, and community transformation. The award is not restricted to startup projects but includes expansions, product development, strategic pivots, and community-oriented programs. Proposed projects must demonstrate innovation, feasibility, and the potential for both personal and regional culinary growth. To be eligible, applicants must reside in or operate a business within one of the following Texas counties: Tarrant, Parker, Hood, Somervell, Johnson, Palo Pinto, Denton, Wise, or Dallas. They must be culinary professionals, artisans, producers, or food and beverage business owners with a minimum of three years in operation or launching a new initiative within an existing business. Applicants must also agree to participate in promotional activities and comply with FWFWF’s reporting requirements. Previous recipients of FWFWF grants within the past two years are not eligible. The application period for the 2025 cycle runs from September 1 to October 31, 2025. Applicants must submit a complete digital application, along with two letters of recommendation. Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered. Selected recipients will be notified by January 15, 2026, and are expected to attend a forthcoming award ceremony (date to be announced). Recipients are required to submit a 6-month progress report detailing fund usage and milestone updates, followed by a 12-month final report that includes impact outcomes, documentation, and a presentation to the FWFWF board. Projects are evaluated by the KVA Selection Committee using a scoring rubric that assesses alignment with FWFWF’s mission, community impact, innovation, feasibility, sustainability, and measurable outcomes. This award offers an opportunity for culinary entrepreneurs in North Texas to bring creative ideas to life while contributing to the vibrancy and resilience of the region’s food culture.

Focus on innovation and regional impact. Projects should be feasible, budget-aligned, and clearly evaluated. Use storytelling to show how your project strengthens the culinary community.