Chicago-based Spirit Hub, an online direct-to-consumer marketplace to shop for thousands of hard-to-find craft spirits from independent distilleries, announces the launch of The Spirit Hub Independent Distillery Preservation Fund (“The Fund”), a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization established to provide financial aid and resources for independent distilleries around the world. The creation of The Fund was accelerated in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, when many of these businesses found themselves in need of support.
“Spirit Hub was founded on the premise of helping independent distilleries thrive and it was within that same premise that we created The Fund to alleviate the pressures facing independent distilleries across the United States,” said Michael Weiss, CEO and founder of Spirit Hub, in a press release. “The Fund will provide much-needed support, financial aid and resources to independent distilleries greatly impacted by the pandemic and allow them to continue pursuing their passions and elevating the craft spirits industry as a whole.”
The Spirit Hub Independent Distillery Preservation Fund is led by an independent Board of Directors of leading industry experts including:
· President: Kent Rabish – Founder, Grand Traverse Distillery
· Secretary: Harlan Powell – Powell Junia, P.C.
· Treasurer: David Cohen – President & Head Distiller, Manifest Distilling; President of The Florida Craft Spirits Association
· Board Members:
o Alex Castle – Master Distiller, Old Dominick Distillery
o Karen Hoskin – Founder & Owner, Montanya Distillers
o Amber Pollock – Co-Owner, Backwards Distilling Company; Board Member of the American Craft Spirits Association
o Molly Troupe – Master Distiller & Partner, Freeland Spirits; Board Member of the American Craft Spirits Association
o P.T. Wood – Founder, Wood’s High Mountain Distillery; Vice President of the American Craft Spirits Association
“The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the craft spirits industry hard, especially the mom and pop operations that didn’t have big corporations backing them” said Kent Rabish, president of The Spirit Hub Independent Distillery Preservation Fund and owner of Grand Traverse Distillery. “The Fund will provide vital relief for those deeply impacted by the pandemic, and be a resource to help beyond that too.”
In 2021, distilleries interested in applying for funding from The Spirit Hub Independent Distillery Preservation Fund can fill out an online application form to detail their request and explain their needs. Applications will be reviewed by The Fund’s board to determine the award.
To launch The Fund, Spirit Hub has made an initial $10,000 donation to be distributed to distillery recipients by the Board. In early 2021, Spirit Hub will launch the contribution matching program, whereby the company will match all donations made to The Fund by Spirit Hub’s customers.
The Fund has been created as an independent entity and its charitable operations are in compliance with industry regulations at the federal and state level.
For more information, visit http://www.spirithubfund.org/.