SUPPORTED CHARITIES
Giving back to the community is an integral part of the Washington Area Concierge Association's mission. WACA is pleased to have supported the following charities in the past year.
WACA MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP
The WACA Memorial Scholarship (originally the John B. Campbell Scholarship) was established by the Washington Area Concierge Association (WACA) as a long-term commitment to the hospitality and tourism industry to support the development of skilled professionals. In 2019 the scholarship was renamed to honor several members for their contributions to the concierge profession. The current scholarship honors John B. Campbell, Luis Colmenares, Julie Saunders, and Cynthia Van Zandt.
In 2024, WACA had the pleasure of joining forces with The American Experience Foundation (AEF), the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington’s Educated Eats (RAMW), and the Hotel Association of Washington, D.C.’s Washington Hospitality Foundation (HAWDC) for an inaugural event at the Westin Washington, DC City Center to honor students and career professionals with foundation scholarships.
Together, the scholarships provide more than $70,000 in financial support and complement hands-on learning programs, assisting students and professionals in their educational and career journeys.
Financial support is provided for enrollment in an accredited undergraduate academic program leading to a career in hospitality.
Scholarship offerings: The maximum amount of scholarship funding available is $3,000 from an established endowment.
Academic Scholarships: Only one scholarship is awarded to any one student per academic year, as follows:
• Full-time student at a four-year institution, $3,000
• Part-time student at a four-year institution, $1,500
• Full or part-time student at a two-year institution, $750
Full time is defined as enrollment of 12 or more hours for both the Fall and Spring semesters.
Eligibility: To be eligible, applicants must be enrolled or be planning to enroll in a U.S. undergraduate
hospitality and tourism program.
Download the application HERE
LES CLEFS D'OR FOUNDATION OF THE AMERICAS
Les Clefs d’Or Foundation of the Americas is a tax-exempt, volunteer, nonprofit organization founded in 1990 to respond to the suffering of concierges and/or their significant others affected by catastrophic or life-threatening illnesses. While it began as a USA entity, the Foundation today is a Pan-American effort combining and benefiting the Union Internationale des Concierges d’Hôtels “Les Clefs d’Or” (UICH) sections of the United States, Argentina, Canada, Mexico, and Brazil.
The Foundation provides financial support to persons who are no longer able to work due to life-threatening illnesses, or who find themselves in need through no fault of their own. Those who may benefit include hotel concierges; former concierges in the USA, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, or Mexico; and significant others of one of the above types of concierges. Membership in Les Clefs d’Or is not required to receive support from the Foundation.
The Foundation awards grants on a case-by-case basis to eligible candidates.
In response to the catastrophic hurricane season of 2005 and understanding that concierges may suffer significant financial losses through no fault of their own, Les Clefs d’Or USA created a Relief Fund. Recognizing significant need, Les Clefs d’Or members generously donated thousands of dollars to support the Fund’s efforts. Dozens of affected concierges have benefited from Relief Fund grants. The Foundation of the Americas and the Relief Fund merged in 2007.
The Foundation’s Board of Directors appreciates the continued generosity of its donors, without whom the expanded mission would not be able to continue.
LES CLEFS D'OR, USA RECOGNITION AND RETIREMENT FUND
The Les Clefs d'Or, USA Recognition and Retirement Fund provides funds for the pioneers and mentors of the professional concierge industry in the United States to be honored by Les Clefs d'Or, USA. The Washington Area Concierge Association is proud to support this initiative and to host events to honor the accomplishments and years of dedication from the Washington, D.C. area members of Les Clefs d'Or, USA.
LOCAL CHARITIES
Each year the Washington Area Concierge Association is proud to support a number of local charities as selected by our membership. Past recipients of donations from WACA include:
The American Experience Foundation
DONATE TODAY
Donate today to support the ongoing charitable efforts of the Washington Area Concierge Association.