We are excited to kick off a significant milestone for Vinequity as we launch our latest fundraising campaign!
At the heart of our organization lies a passionate commitment to support BIPOC beverage professionals since 2020. We believe that access to high-quality education empowers professionals to higher levels of success and visibility within the Canadian Beverage Alcohol Industry. That is why we're embarking on this Scholarship Fund Fundraising Campaign, in support of our upcoming 2024 scholarship awards.
About The Vinequity Scholarship Fund
Since our inception in 2020, Vinequity’s goal has been to ensure that people who identify as BIPOC (including those who identify as LGBTQ+ or are living with a disability) are given equitable treatment and opportunities to access, grow and thrive as visible leaders in the industry.
The Vinequity scholarship program aims to bring attention to the systemic lack of diversity across the industry by supporting talent and passion for wine, beer and spirits in our communities. Over the past three years, our founding group has successfully delivered the program on an entirely grassroots, volunteer basis. To date, Vinequity has awarded $50,000 to our scholarship recipients.
Behind every bottle on the shelf, or curated pairing at your favourite restaurant is a network of skilled professionals from beverage makers, to marketers to sommeliers. Much of this experience and knowledge requires access to specialized education. These programs are rigorous and costly. 95% of scholarship applicants cite cost as a barrier to pursuing further education. Less diversity at all levels of the industry means less diversity on the shelf and in restaurants.
Wine enthusiasts are naturally adventurous. They know that the only way to learn about wine is to try as much as you can. To love wine is to love regions of the world for the mere fact that they are different from one another. Different grapes, soil and temperature all tell a new story. The same applies to the people. Varied life experience and expertise brings new ideas to the table. The more space we create for innovation and growth, the more benefits we reap in every glass.
All donations receive a charitable tax receipt – thank you for your support!