Grant Distributions Continue to Increase
USBG NATIONAL CHARITY FOUNDATION: GRANT DOLLARS DISTRIBUTED IN FIRST TWO WEEKS OF MAY GREATER THAN ALL OF APRIL
Fundraising continues as Foundation projects $18 million required to provide grants for all viable applications
HENDERSON, NV (MAY 12, 2020) - The USBG National Charity Foundation announces today that it distributed $1.6 million in philanthropic grants between May 1-11. That’s more than was distributed between April 8, when the first grants were distributed, and April 30, indicating a dramatic increase in speed processing applications.
April 8-30: $1.5 million
May 1-11: $1.6 million
Said Kim Haasarud, USBG National Charity Foundation volunteer board member, “I could not be prouder of our team of over 500 volunteers who have given of themselves by dedicating more than ten thousand hours to make sure applications are properly screened, eligible applicants are identified and provided with modest but meaningful grants.”
She continued, “As I said on last week’s Thursday Instagram Live briefing, we’ve had to shift our screening process from one that allows for one-on-one, personalized assistance, to a standardized form. That means bartenders, bar backs, and cocktail servers have had to become experts in data entry, all while their world is crumbling around them. That leads to errors.
But our industry is resilient and we’re seeing an increase in reapplications with verifiable information. Internally at the Foundation our process has become more efficient, and we’re significantly faster at screening applications.”
Fundraising Continues
Despite $8 million in donations committed, the Foundation needs to continue fundraising in order to reach a dollar amount that will allow it to continue to provide grants to eligible applicants.
Says USBG National Charity Foundation Acting Executive Director Aaron Gregory Smith, “Last week I received a message from a grant recipient who, through the grant, was able to afford diapers for her children. It’s true that a couple hundred dollars won’t make someone completely whole. But every little bit helps and that’s why we continue to fundraise. At the current rate, we project that we will receive 60,000 viable applications. In order to provide grants for all of these hard working people in need, we need to raise a total of $18 million.”
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What is the purpose of the Bartender Emergency Assistance Program?
BEAP was created in 2015 and has since operated continuously to assist qualified bartenders, bar backs, and bar servers who are in need of financial assistance as a result of a catastrophic event or an emergency hardship. The USBG National Charity Foundation adheres to a strict set of procedures in order to ensure that recipients are selected on an objective and nondiscriminatory basis.
What is the USBG National Charity Foundation’s COVID-19 Relief Campaign?
Via the campaign, modest, yet meaningful emergency grants of $150-500 drawn from generous donations will be allocated to as many eligible applicants as possible so as to be as impactful as possible. It’s important to be clear that these emergency grants are intended to supplement federal relief programs that are designed to help with larger, sustained expenses.
Statistics as of May 12, 2020:
Total applicants: More than 295,000
Total donors: 4000
Total $ committed: More than $8 million
Total volunteers: More than 500
Link to donors and supporters to date: HERE
More information on the USBG National Charity Foundation’s COVID-19 Relief Campaign can be found here.
Follow updates through USBG National Charity Foundation social media channels: IG/FB/TWITTER: @usbgncf/@USBGNCF/@USBGNCF
Tune into the USBG National Charity Foundation’s weekly Instagram Live briefing @usbgncf on Thursday, May 14 at noon Pacific/3 p.m. Eastern.
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About the USBG National Charity Foundation
The USBG National Charity Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, advances the lifelong stability and well-being of service industry professionals through education and charitable activities. The USBG Foundation accomplishes this mission through programming that focuses on social responsibility, community service, and philanthropy. The USBG Foundation was formed in 2012 to expand the charitable impact of the United States Bartenders’ Guild (USBG) community. You can learn more about the USBG Foundation at www.usbgfoundation.org.
About the Bartender Emergency Assistance Program
The purpose of the Bartender Emergency Assistance Program is to assist those in the bar industry who are in need of assistance as a result of a catastrophic event or an emergency hardship. Fire, weather, medical, national crisis, or a family emergency, the BEAP is here to assist bartenders in their time of need. Our goal is to assist as many qualified industry members as possible each and every year. We are striving to ensure that the BEAP is sustained as a safety net for those in the industry who need it most. Our hope is that you will support us to "help us serve those who serve us.” Find out more at www.usbgfoundation.org/beap.
Media inquiries:
Colin Baugh
Emblem Public Relations
323-219-3427
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