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A community-rooted El Paso County restaurant

Fuel the Restaurants That Fuel Our Community

SPICE empowers independent eateries with financial relief, workshops, mentorship, and community connections to stay strong year-round. More than just a funding program, SPICE invests in community-rooted restaurants that are independently owned, owner-resident, with no national chain affiliation or corporate backing.

Donate to SPICE
A community-rooted El Paso County restaurant

Fuel the Restaurants That Fuel Our Community

SPICE empowers independent eateries with financial relief, workshops, mentorship, and community connections to stay strong year-round. More than just a funding program, SPICE invests in community-rooted restaurants that are independently owned, owner-resident, with no national chain affiliation or corporate backing.

Donate to SPICE

How Does SPICE Work?

Restaurants Apply

Locally owned restaurants located in enterprise zones in El Paso County submit a short application.

Immediate Cash Support

Selected restaurants receive between $4,000–$10,000 in exchange for gift cards and a grant stipend for attending SPICE programming (attendance is mandatory).

Community Impact

Gift cards are shared with local nonprofits, bringing new guests to your restaurant while providing vital cash flow when it’s needed most.

Mentorship & Connection

Join a 4-week cohort of local restaurateurs to share best practices and strengthen the Colorado Springs culinary community.

How Does SPICE Work?

Restaurants Apply

Locally owned restaurants located in enterprise zones in El Paso County submit a short application.

Immediate Cash Support

Selected restaurants receive between $4,000–$10,000 in exchange for gift cards and a grant stipend for attending SPICE programming (attendance is mandatory).

Community Impact

Gift cards are shared with local nonprofits, bringing new guests to your restaurant while providing vital cash flow when it’s needed most.

Mentorship & Connection

Join a 4-week cohort of local restaurateurs to share best practices and strengthen the Colorado Springs culinary community.

Some of our Past Participants

Some of our Past Participants

2026 SPICE Nonprofits

  • Women’s Community Leadership Initiative
  • Hey Neighbor (previously CONO)
  • The Resource Exchange Inc.
  • Colorado Springs Sports Corporation
  • Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care
  • Night Lights, Inc.
  • Community Partnership for Child Development
  • Mosaic
  • Colorado Springs Child Nursery Centers, Inc. (DBA Early Connections Learning Centers)
  • Sue DiNapoli Ovarian Cancer Society DBA Sue’s Gift — Gynecologic Cancer Support
  • Home Front Military Network
  • ChangeLine
  • Food to Power

2026 SPICE Nonprofits

  • Women’s Community Leadership Initiative
  • Hey Neighbor (previously CONO)
  • The Resource Exchange Inc.
  • Colorado Springs Sports Corporation
  • Pikes Peak Hospice & Palliative Care
  • Night Lights, Inc.
  • Community Partnership for Child Development
  • Mosaic
  • Colorado Springs Child Nursery Centers, Inc. (DBA Early Connections Learning Centers)
  • Sue DiNapoli Ovarian Cancer Society DBA Sue’s Gift — Gynecologic Cancer Support
  • Home Front Military Network
  • ChangeLine
  • Food to Power

In Their Words

“The most valuable part of SPICE for me was the opportunity to connect with other restaurant owners facing similar challenges. Those peer conversations and shared insights were both grounding and strategically helpful.”
“Participating in SPICE gave us space to step out of the daily grind and really look at our business from a higher level. The biggest growth for us was strengthening our financial discipline and being more intentional about KPIs, targets, and cash flow planning. It reinforced that survival and growth both come down to structure and consistency.”

In Their Words

“The most valuable part of SPICE for me was the opportunity to connect with other restaurant owners facing similar challenges. Those peer conversations and shared insights were both grounding and strategically helpful.”
“Participating in SPICE gave us space to step out of the daily grind and really look at our business from a higher level. The biggest growth for us was strengthening our financial discipline and being more intentional about KPIs, targets, and cash flow planning. It reinforced that survival and growth both come down to structure and consistency.”

Why Give to SPICE

Supporting SPICE means investing in the heart of El Paso County’s community. When a local restaurant thrives, it creates jobs, gathering places, and local flavor that strengthens the entire neighborhood around it.

Every dollar helps fund cash stipends, gift cards for local nonprofits, and hands-on mentorship that gives struggling restaurants the tools to become profitable, sustainable businesses for years to come.

Donate to SPICE

SPICE is a program of Exponential Impact, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your contribution is tax-deductible, and 100% of your donation goes directly toward supporting the SPICE program. If you would prefer to donate via check, contact rachael@exponentialimpact.com. Contributions of $1,000 or more can be processed as an Enterprise Zone Contribution, which qualifies donors for a 25% Colorado state income tax credit in addition to standard tax deductibility. For details on how to take advantage of this benefit, please contact rachael@exponentialimpact.com.

Why Give to SPICE

Supporting SPICE means investing in the heart of El Paso County’s community. When a local restaurant thrives, it creates jobs, gathering places, and local flavor that strengthens the entire neighborhood around it.

Every dollar helps fund cash stipends, gift cards for local nonprofits, and hands-on mentorship that gives struggling restaurants the tools to become profitable, sustainable businesses for years to come.

Donate to SPICE

SPICE is a program of Exponential Impact, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Your contribution is tax-deductible, and 100% of your donation goes directly toward supporting the SPICE program. rachael@exponentialimpact.com. Contributions of $1,000 or more can be processed as an Enterprise Zone Contribution, which qualifies donors for a 25% Colorado state income tax credit in addition to standard tax deductibility. For details on how to take advantage of this benefit, please contact rachael@exponentialimpact.com.