In this third year of ProBrewer support for The Michael James Jackson Foundation for Brewing and Distilling’s annual $100k Matching Grant Challenge drive, we checked in on the foundation and the impact it has had on the industry. We caught up by email with Garrett Oliver, MJF founder and Head Brewer for Brooklyn Brewery, and heard directly from The MJF Director of Operations, Breeze Galindo along with MJF recipients who have advanced their careers as a direct result of the many donations from people like yourself.
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The MJF offers full-ride scholarships in brewing and distilling science and technology. Scholarship recipients are also assigned an industry mentor who provides hands-on coaching. The foundation offers tangible and immediate impact on the scholarship awardees and the industry. To date, the annual matching pledge drives have raised over $500,000 and The MJF has awarded scholarships to 44 amazing recipients.
“To give you some idea of our impact so far, in 2022 the Siebel Institute, the oldest and one of the most respected brewing schools in the country, told us that the MJF had sent more students of color through their programs in one year than had attended in the previous ten years combined,” Oliver said.
This year, all eight awardees have previous experience in the industry. “The awards are in recognition of their progress and promise,” Oliver said. “Many of our awardees have credited their MJF-fueled education for their advancement into better positions with greater responsibilities.”
Enrique Leyva was working at a small brewery in Vietnam when he applied to the MJF in 2021. After winning a MJF scholarship, he attended the UC Davis Master Brewer program. “He was immediately snapped up by Russian River Brewing Company and is a very happy brewer there today,” said Oliver.
Leyva is now a Brewer/Cellar Tech at Russian River Brewing. “Through the MJF’s support I was able to bring together my practical experience with formal education, giving me the confidence in myself as a Brewer,” Leyva told ProBrewer. “Completing the UC Davis Master Brewers Program has rounded my skill sets and strengthened my understanding of technical brewing from a micro to macro level. I’m ready for any challenge that awaits.”
More than 40% of Americans have a family ancestry that’s non-European. “If we want to grow in the future, then failing to support the talent and enthusiasm of the soon-to-be majority of Americans is not just wrong…it’s also very bad business,” Garrett challenges. “What we want and need is everyone’s talent, cultural influence and enthusiasm.”
In 2019, Breeze Galindo bought a one-way ticket from Los Angeles to Brooklyn to take a brewing position at Other Half Brewing Company. Breeze recently joined The MJF with a vision to take the foundation to the next level: she wants to do is build a virtual community with the awardees where they can have access to resources, mentors, and board members.
“We have an opportunity to build a support system within the industry that focuses on the BIPOC community, allowing them to feel empowered throughout their career. As the MJF continues to grow as an organization, we’re beginning to test the limits of our outreach capabilities,” she said. “This is only the beginning.”
Kat Hess, a 2023 MJF awardee is currently the head brewer at Phantom Canyon Brewing Company and will be transitioning to the sister Wynkoop Brewing Company in Denver at the end of April. She has some good advice for anyone considering an MJF scholarship. “The MJF provided me with the means to pursue brewing education that I could not have afforded on my own,” Hess said. I am so grateful to the organization and those that donated to it. I know I would not be where I am today without the education I received.”
For those considering an MJF Scholarship, Hess had some sage advice. “Learn everything you can! Network like crazy. Don’t take no for an answer. Have thick skin. Ignore the noise and go for your dreams! You can absolutely achieve what you want!” Galindo also had some thoughts for those entering the industry and who may have to relocate to find a job like she did. “Hit the ground running. Become friends with the guild director. Show up to brewery events, even if it isn’t your own. When you’re at beer festivals in your potential new city, don’t focus on how many beers you can drink, instead focus on how many breweries you can meet. Make sure they remember you and always remember one detail about them that you can ask them about later. This will let them know that you were paying attention.”
Zack Day, Co-Founder and Director of Brewing Operations at Funkytown Brewery, is also a 2023 MJF awardee. Funkytown is the only Black-owned brewery in Chicago. “MJF helped validate my goals with education through the Siebel Concise Course in my hometown of Chicago,” said Day. “There, I began to bridge crucial knowledge gaps, aiding my transition from a home brewer to professional brewing. By engaging with a diverse group of both students and instructors, the program allowed an environment of collaboration and camaraderie, adding to my learning experience and encouraging continuous growth within the brewing community.”
As the MJF grows and expands its reach, fundraising becomes an integral part of the equation. “I’m very proud of the work we’ve done so far, and of our magnificent awardees. They’re going to play a leading role in the future of beer and spirits in this country and beyond,” Garrett said. “My goals right now are to expand and build our board on its original strong roots and then help build our leadership for the future.”
Any contribution to the MJF is encouraged and very welcome. During last year’s fundraising challenge, contributions by individuals in the industry ranged from $10 to thousands. No amount is too small or too ambitious. Allied trade members, brewing companies and distilleries are also encouraged to help support the cause.
“I’d finish with a quote from Tobias Wolff,” Garrett shared. “’As you go on in this life you become aware of the folly of thinking you did something all by yourself. We’re held up by others all the way.’ It’s been true for me, and now it’s our turn to do the same for the next generation.”
“Why The MJF+ProBrewer? As the leading career, classifieds and discussion forum site for professional brewers, we’re in a unique position to support expanding access and advancement for our growing community,” says co-founder, Mark Silva. “For many of the reasons why Garrett founded The MJF, we also asked ‘how can we serve more of those wanting, deserving and able to become the future of brewing?’” Pat Hagerman, ProBrewer co-founder alongside Silva adds, “To our knowledge no other organization has addressed the need so clearly, urgently and at scale. We hope you’ll agree and join us in supporting The MJF.’”
Please join us in supporting the MJF Challenge now. Every dollar you donate gets matched up to $100,000. This means that if you donate $25, the MJF receives $50; if you donate $2,500, the MJF gets $5k, etc. It’s really that simple to amplify your impact, support and generosity with matching funds from Pinhook, Athletic, and Lallemand.
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