SERVING THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY
Created in 2013, the Bartenders Benevolent Fund is a nationally registered non-profit and financial resource for hospitality professionals in Canada. We are a volunteer based organization which provides support and resources to hospitality professionals across the country. We provide funding for those who have fallen under serious financial hardship, and programming to elevate our industry and those within it.
The Bartenders Benevolent Fund’s mandate is to offer support to the hospitality industry, by the hospitality industry: our funds are awarded anonymously by local hospitality professionals from each market.
CORE VALUES
Our core values are deeply rooted in Selfless SERVICE:
A MESSAGE FROM OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Considering the current impact of COVID-19 on the hospitality industry, we are continuously working with community members and organizations to develop inclusive and empowering programming, while continuing to update organizational policies, funding criteria and code of conduct.
The Bartenders Benevolent Fund, its directors, staff members and associates pledge to:
ANNE CAYER
(SHE / HER)
With a resume packed full of experience in Communications and Digital Marketing, and a penchant for working with some wonderful nonprofits along the way, Anne was the ideal candidate for us when recruiting a Director of Communications. Currently residing in Mexico and assisting us from afar, Anne has already proved to be an invaluable asset and a phenomenal addition to the team: As Director of Communications, Anne makes sure our messaging is effective and impactful, ensuring we are providing you with the most relevant information as our landscape continues to evolve.
JON GRAY
(HE / HIM)
Jon Gray is a former bar manager and brand ambassador, and current tequila enthusiast, who has spent the last few years building advocacy for new-to-market spirits across Canada through his consultancy company Drink Tank. Jon was just the third person to join the Fund back in 2013, when it was a fledgling Toronto- and Bartender-focused concept. Jon has been instrumental in turning a city wide organization into a an incorporated national entity, playing an integral role in building the systems and process which turned the Bartenders Benevolent Fund into the registered non profit it is today. As Executive Director he is now running day-to-day operations and working with our volunteers from across the country in overseeing the continuing development of the fund.
KELSEY RAMAGE
(SHE / HER)
Kelsey Ramage knows the challenges faced by hospitality professionals as much as anyone. As a globally renowned bartender who has run some of the best bar programs in the world, won global cocktail competitions and was just voted Best International Bartender of the Year by Tales of the Cocktail, Kelsey lives and breathes our industry. Currently leading the way in high end cocktail delivery with @dollytrolleydrinks, Kelsey joined the Bartenders Benevolent Fund as Program Director in summer 2020, and is behind much of the content we are producing towards hospitality growth, awareness and leadership.
DR. ANDREW TOPLACK
(HE / HIM)
Andrew is one of the most encouraging and nurturing bar flies you’d ever have the good fortune to have visit your bar. A medical doctor and psychotherapist by day, Andrew can be found hosting Toplack Tuesdays by night; a series professional talks that give bartenders a platform to teach each other. He is also able to boast to being the first to import the then niche — now global — brands El Tesoro Tequila and Del Maguey Mezcal into Canada. His passion for sharing incredible new spirits with bartenders, and his impulse to engage with and develop the hospitality community is what led him here: as the co-founder of the Bartenders Benevolent Fund alongside Jonathan Humphrey back in 2013.
BEV WOODING
(SHE / HER)
Bev represents the other side of the bar, the beloved guest (the bartender sympathizer) whose presence makes a shift that much easier. Bev works at Moneris (those hand held card machines you pay your bill on) which means that her job hasn’t been affected by the recurring shutdowns, but that of the vast majority of her network has, leading to “survivors guilt”, and the desire to support the industry she loves so much: “Volunteering with the BBF is my tiny way of returning that care.” Bev has worked tirelessly since joining the Fund in March 2020, playing an integral role in building our application and reporting systems, and implementing processes to make sure we can get the awards out to successful applicants.
The Bartenders Benevolent Fund actively works to maintain inclusive and empowering organizational policies, funding criteria and code of conduct. In addition, we treat applicant privacy with the highest regard, through responsible management, use and protection of personal data.
CODE OF CONDUCT
The Bartenders Benevolent Fund, its directors, staff members and associates pledge to:
PRIVACY POLICY
Additionally, we take privacy extremely seriously. As such, the Bartenders Benevolent Fund pledges to:
Please note the Bartenders Benevolent Fund is a volunteer run organization; please allow us some time to respond to all enquiries.
ABOUT THE BBF
Created in 2013, the Bartenders Benevolent Fund is a nationally registered, volunteer powered, non-profit financial resource for hospitality professionals in Canada.
The Bartenders Benevolent Fund is a nationally registered non-profit - Registration #921977-3.