NEW ORLEANS (press release) – Tales of the Cocktail Foundation (TOTCF) is pleased to announce a new initiative from the Philanthropy & Development Committee that’s aimed at raising funds for the 2023 Bartender Welfare and Well-being Fund. Launching on Giving Tuesday, November 29, 2022, and continuing through February 3, 2023, the fundraising campaign will rally capital for TOTCF’s grant programs that support emerging and existing organizations and individuals who demonstrate a vision, determination, and ability to make meaningful change in the global hospitality industry. To date, TOTCF has granted more than $350,000 in awards to those who are actively improving the global hospitality landscape.
Giving Tuesday, a global generosity movement that was created to unleash the power of people and organizations to transform their communities, provides an opportunity for TOTCF to kick start its 2023 grant-giving cycle. TOTCF will welcome all individuals, organizations, and sponsors to give to its fundraising campaign which can be accessed through The Foundation’s Donately page. All donations are tax-deductible and will directly support uplifting and advancing the hospitality community.
“Farm Distilled at Historic Locust Grove was able to bridge and build community as a result of partnering with fellow Grant recipients Made in New Orleans and Turning Tables Nola,” said Andrea Meriwether, Founder of Farm Distilled at Historic Locust Grove and 2020 Grant Recipient. “We have developed community beyond the [Kentucky] bluegrass borders and connected with a budding pool of diverse black and brown talent.”
TOTCF 2023 Grant Application Period Opens: January 3, 2022
The 2023 TOTCF Grant Application Process will open on January 3, 2023, and continue through February 3, 2023. Focused on bartender welfare and well-being, the Philanthropy & Development Committee will review all applications through a lens of improving the lives of bartenders and hospitality workers. Areas of focus include: equity, advocacy, healthcare, mental health, education, sexual harassment prevention, and workplace safety, as well as many other topics; more information can be found below. Applicants can be individuals, organizations, or 501(c)3 non-profits.
The initial phase of the Application Process invites interested parties to submit a Letter of Intent. Once reviewed, the Philanthropy & Development Committee will invite select applicants to advance to the phone interview phase. From there, applicants will submit a final proposal. Finalists will be invited to present their applications at the 2023 Tales of the Cocktail Conference in New Orleans, and grant recipients will be announced in fall 2023. Applications as well as additional information are available via The Foundation’s website.
Grant Categories for Bartender Welfare & Well-Being
- Diversity & Equity
- Fair access, opportunity, and advancement is essential to bartender well-being because creating a safe environment where industry workers feel protected and valued is the foundation of a good workplace.
- Healthcare
- The hospitality industry was severely impacted by COVID-19, and though individuals were labeled essential workers, many still do not have access to important medical care. A broad range of creative, health-related initiatives may be considered in this grant category.
- Mental Health
- The Department of Labor has labeled bartending as one of the most stressful professions in the country due to the physically demanding work and emotional labor that occurs on the job. Organizations and projects focusing on supporting the mental health of bartenders will be considered.
- Education
- Bartender education can be presented in a variety of formats and topics: financial education, certification programs, and free or low-cost continuing education fall into this grant category.
- Advocacy
- Advocacy initiatives aimed at addressing benefits, living wage, and other micro and macro policies of hospitality workers will be considered.
- Workplace Inclusivity & Safety
- Initiatives and organizations that provide training, resources, and innovative solutions to workplace safety in bars are invited to apply.
- Other
- A variety of additional topics which focus on bartender well-being and welfare and do not fall squarely into the above categories will be considered.
