WASHINGTON, D.C.— April 21st, 2022- The United Sommeliers Foundation (USF), a charitable organization dedicated to providing financial assistance to out-of-work wine professionals, is proud to celebrate their second anniversary with a refreshed long-term mission and vision after successfully distributing over $1 million in aid during the COVID-19 pandemic. To help support the long-term vision, they are proud to announce the appointment Jon McDaniel as the Foundation’s Interim Executive Director. Additionally, the Foundation has overhauled their grant programs further opening funding for those with qualifying need.
“When I received the call from Cristie Norman, President of The United Sommeliers Foundation in March 2019 about helping my peers, I was honored to serve. I now look forward to serving the wine community in a new way by driving the mission of this foundation to protect the future success and viability of the sommelier profession.” Commented McDaniel.
Founded in March of 2020, as a COVID-19 financial relief organization for out-of-work wine professionals, the United Sommeliers Foundation sees a larger need for the future of the profession. The USF’s updated mission supports and strengthens the sommelier community by providing professional and personal resources and emergency financial aid. The goal of the Foundation’s long-term vision is to not only preserve the sommelier profession, but to enhance and grow the professional and personal opportunities for its community.
The Foundation has also updated their grants and financial awards. While remaining true to their mission of emergency funding, the Foundation has developed a new year-round open grant for applicants with personal tragedies and emergencies while still maintaining crisis-based funding. In 2021 the Foundation opened emergency funding for multiple wildfires, hurricanes and other region-based disasters. Applications are open for individuals experiencing a qualifying circumstance. To apply for aid, donate or learn more please visit www.unitedsommeliersfoundation.org.
About The United Sommeliers Foundation
The United Sommeliers Foundation is a non-profit 501 (c)3 organization whose mission is to provide information and immediate financial assistance to Sommeliers experiencing a pause or termination of employment due to circumstances beyond their control. The organization assists sommeliers nationwide and was founded by several of the industry’s leading experts with more than 100 years combined experience and knowledge. The organization’s goal is to positively impact the wine industry and the sommelier community for years to come. Please visit www.unitedsommeliersfoundation.org for more information.
