BC Hospitality Foundation

“The British Columbia Hospitality Foundation offers financial assistance, beyond traditional medical benefits, to people who work in food, beverage and hospitality professions at a critical time of need.”

Vision Statement:
The BC Hospitality Foundation is an avenue of help to those in the hospitality industry facing, coping with, and overcoming the burden of medical costs and other expenses that arise from sudden serious health crises. The BCHF – hospitality’s safety net

BC Hospitality Foundation (BCHF)

The foundation was formed in 2006 to help wine agent Michael J. Willingham pay for a costly surgery and subsequent rehabilitation following a stroke.
Michael’s situation highlighted the need to establish a trust fund that could be used as a last-resort safety net for other industry members in need – who may or may not have benefits, be covered by employment insurance, or require assistance beyond traditional medical benefits
Foundation benefits will cover people in the industry - food suppliers, hoteliers, media, publicists, retailers, vintners and wine sales representatives.
The fund will be managed by the board of trustees for the foundation. On the founding board of trustees are Richard Carras, Ken Cretney, Jeannie Crane, Geoffrey Howes, Tim Pawsey, Bing Smith, and Harry McWatters.

Our Goal:
The Foundation’s goal is to build on the momentum of the fundraising done for Michael. The Foundation will develop an ongoing program that will raise $3 million, by 2010, for an endowment fund.

Mission Outline

To raise enough money to become self sustaining and to build an ongoing trust fund.
To build strategic alliances with stakeholders and industry associations to raise awareness, raise funds, and establish the BCHF as the charity of choice.
To facilitate and organize fundraising activities and events.
To distribute funds to needy individuals to supplement their existing financial support in times of emergency and critical need (specific support, not ongoing indefinite support).
To raise the profile of the organization, it’s role, and it’s need.
To operate in a transparent manner with an established and recognized set of values.

What will the Foundation do?
The fund will act as a safety net for the food, beverage and hospitality industry members in British Columbia including brewers, food suppliers, hoteliers (foodservice departments), media (in the related trade), publicists (in the related trade ), retailers, vintners and wine sales representatives.

What will the foundation do next?
The BC Hospitality Foundation Committee will create long term goals starting with a three year strategic plan which will incorporate fund raising events, awareness campaigns and province wide involvement in the hospitality industry, in support of the foundation. The goal of BCHF is to encompass all members of the hospitality industry. To start we will create a grass roots marketing campaign, inviting our industry to support, suggest, inform and become involved. Our younger members are our future; our older members serve as our guiding examples, our mentors and our voices of wisdom. The Foundation is the safety net for those who contribute so much to the industry, both young and those with years of wisdom and experience. We thank you in advance for your support and contributions.

Fund guidelines - Potential recipients (Board of Trustees make final determination):

This must be ‘Last Resort’ funding – applicant must prove that no other funding (insurance or otherwise) is available
Applicants principal residence must be in BC or the Yukon, and they must be (or have been) active members of the food, beverage & hospitality, or directly related industries, e.g. (but not restricted to):

Foodservice production, distribution, sales, marketing
Beverage alcohol production, distribution, sales and marketing
On or off premise retailing of food and beverage alcohol products
Media, PR, and consultants related to any of the above
Recipient must be willing to have his support publicized (respectfully) to help promote the further activities of the organization.

Types of needs to be funded:

Applicants must have a clearly demonstrated need for funding
Needs must be specific, tangible, and finite
Needs must be of a critical medical nature (injury, disability and/or rehabilitation)

Application process:

Board Of Directors has developed a basic application form to be available for publication and distribution. Applicant must:

Describe the need, and the benefit(s) that will be obtained.
Outline the detailed costs.
Prove that no other funding will cover the costs.
Demonstrate commitment to industry.
Confirm residential status.

Financial Limit:

Maximum $50,000 for any individual application (at this time).
Board of Trustees will determine total amount of funding per eligible recipient

How you can help

By helping grow the fund by supporting events.
By making BCHF the beneficiary of your event.
By donating directly.