The hospitality industry is known for its people. The smiles, the enthusiasm, the engagement and the experiences created. But what is more important and much less widely known is how we are all supporting each other.
The pandemic taught us much, and finally ripped down the very thin veil, revealing that we need help as an industry. But from the pandemic we saw new organizations emerge to help and existing organizations pivot to better serve the needs of all in crisis.
There are so many scholarships, emergency funds and support groups throughout our industry that exist to serve and elevate all those that serve others every day. So here is a list of resources and organizations that are here to help others. And, they can all use more support to reach as many of our industry’s members as possible. [Editor's note: if you or someone you know is struggling with substance abuse, Ben's Friends can help.]
Above and Beyond’s Helping Hospitality Fund
The Above and Beyond Foundation recognizes, rewards, and supports outstanding individuals employed on the front lines of the hospitality industry by providing awards and grants to help them attain their personal and professional goals.
Another Round Another Rally is a nonprofit financial resource for the hospitality industry. We provide reimbursement grants and immersive educational scholarships to further the education of historically excluded voices in the community, and supply emergency assistance to those employed in restaurants, bars, and hotels who have fallen on unexpected hardship.
A CORE grant is a gift of financial support to qualifying food & beverage service employees with children. Every CORE grant is uniquely tailored to a grantee’s qualifying circumstances and financial need. Expenses that CORE grants cover include rent and mortgage, utilities, medical supplies, medical or therapy equipment, therapies, prescriptions, over-the-counter medication, medical travel expenses, funeral expenses, groceries, clothing, and other essential needs a family may need assistance with. CORE is a Bar & Restaurant Expo charity partner, and a Vibe Conference charity partner.
Glancy Wine Education Foundation
We are dedicated to assisting underserved and minority communities with scholarships to further their professional wine education to increase diversity and raise earning power. The Glancy Wine Education Foundation grew out of the Glancy Wine Education Fund, which was established in 2017 with the proceeds of San Francisco Wine School’s 2016 Anniversary Celebration & Scholarship Auction and generous contributions from community donors.
Golden Rule Charity provides aid to hospitality employees affected by unanticipated hardship, whether it’s a family emergency, natural disaster, or medical need. We are now accepting new grant applications for those working in the restaurant, hotel, and hospitality industries experiencing hardship.
James Beard Food & Beverage Relief Fund
The James Beard Foundation is a nonprofit organization with a mission to celebrate, support, and elevate the people behind America’s food culture and champion a standard of good food anchored in talent, equity, and sustainability. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the James Beard Foundation launched the Open for Good campaign to ensure that independent restaurants not only survive, but that the industry is able to rebuild stronger than before.
Workers all over the country are thinking about leaving the service sector. They are no longer willing to tolerate low wages in the face of even worse working conditions under COVID. They are realizing they can elevate their voices, and they’re taking action by demanding a fair wage before they will return to work in the service sector — and we’re supporting them with the Service Workers’ Action & Relief Fund.
Restaurant Opportunities Center United
Restaurant Opportunities Center United works to improve restaurant workers’ lives by building worker power and uniting workers of various backgrounds around shared goals and values. Our vision is a society that treats restaurant workers with dignity and respect and an industry that prioritizes racial and gender equity and strives to increase the standard of living for all working-class people. We partner with restaurant workers to overcome the obstacles racism and sexism place in their way by helping them understand their rights and advocating for political representation through organizing, educating, training, and agitating.
Southern Smoke is a crisis relief organization for people in the food and beverage industry. We provide funds directly to people in need that are battling health crises, winter storm damage, natural disasters, mental health needs and, of course, those affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We're the safety net for our industry, taking care of our own each and every day. Southern Smoke is a Bar & Restaurant Expo charity partner.
The United Sommeliers Foundation’s mission is to provide immediate financial assistance to Sommeliers who are experiencing a pause or termination of employment due to circumstances beyond their control. This foundation was specifically created for sommeliers, who we believe are the first to be let go and the last to be hired back when restaurants face financial challenges.
USBG Bartender Emergency Assistance Program
BEAP grants seek to provide immediate financial assistance for those in the hospitality industry who encounter temporary, emergent, financial hardship due to unforeseen and/or catastrophic life events such as an accident, acute medical diagnosis, or localized wind, water, earth, or fire-related natural disasters. Eligibility for a BEAP grant is not based on loss of income. BEAP grants are not intended to serve as either wage or unemployment insurance but may supplement these programs in certain circumstances. Submission of an application is not a guarantee of funding. Applications are reviewed anonymously and on their own merit. Any decision made is to be considered final.
The WITI Group is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization that aims to provide mentorship as well as a safe haven for women in the hospitality industry who need financial or emotional support. “WITI” stands for Women in the Industry. Our key focus is providing a confidential support system and a place for togetherness. Founded on the principle that we are stronger together; our Mentor Members provide support to each other in both personal and professional manners. WITI supports any woman in food and beverage services in need of financial, emotional or career assistance stemming from a work-related situation.
Resources, Support Groups and Mental Health
Bar & Restaurant Revival (Facebook Group)
Ben's Friends (Sobriety support group)
Hospitality Industry Alliance (Facebook Group)
Hospitality Industry COVID-19 Support (Facebook Group)
Industry United (Facebook Q&A Group)
Christie Lawler is the Founder & Owner of CJL CONSULTiNG, a beverage marketing agency that houses a nonprofit organization – The WITI Group, and a line of infusion and mixology products – JAB MiXOLOGY. She is a public speaker, host of the Lawler Out Loud: Mixing Up the Mainstream podcast, and a member of the Female Founders Collection. She is also a CORE Ambassador and an advisory board member for “The Bar” with Datassential, and serves on the Glancy Wine Education Foundation Board of Directors. Christie won the 2022 Industry Excellence Award for ‘Innovator of the Year’ at Bar & Restaurant Expo.
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