Tequila Don Julio was founded nearly 80 years ago by Don Julio González, a man deeply devoted to not only his craft but also to taking care of his own within his hometown of Atotonilco El Alto in the Highlands of Jalisco where our tequila continues to be made today. Every day we celebrate his legacy and our extended familia who drink and share our tequila with the world – including those that mix incredible drinks behind the bar, cook delicious food in the kitchen, have us dancing as we celebrate with friends, share their beautiful art and culture with the world, and so many more who make our lives that much better.
The Tequila Don Julio Fund* was established to help us take care of our own with a commitment of $1 million over the next four (4) years to approved charities whose missions support the communities that have helped build our spirit into the brand it is today.
*The Tequila Don Julio Fund is a donor advised fund operated by Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, organized under IRS Section 501c(3).
Raised in Atotonilco El Alto in the Highlands region of Jalisco, Don Julio González spent his life developing his craft of tequila making to achieve the highest quality standards. In 1942, he boldly approached a local businessman for a loan of 20,000 pesos to open his own distillery – what’s now known as “La Primavera” - where Tequila Don Julio continues to be made today.
In honor of Don Julio González’s story and entrepreneurial spirit, The Tequila Don Julio Fund is paying it forward by celebrating Hispanic entrepreneurs who are paving their way as the next generation of “Dons” and “Doñas”. As part of Hispanic Heritage Month, Hispanic entrepreneurs who have shown true devotion to their craft and believe that they embody the next generation of Dons and Doñas were able to apply for a $20,000 grant‡ and business support, which includes networking opportunities and professional resources – all awarded through The Tequila Don Julio Fund.Ω
Join us in congratulating the five grant recipients of The Tequila Don Julio Fund grant program.
Born in Guanajuato, the hat capital of the world, Maria dreamt of making her own hats and providing job opportunities for those in her hometown. She believes a hat completes the perfect outfit and, through hard work and determination, started MARME with the mission to empower women everywhere. Inside each MARME hat is the printed quote and her motto, “She believed she could, so she did” as a daily reminder that anything is possible once you believe in yourself.
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When Hector moved to San Francisco he yearned for a taste of home and asked his mother, known affectionately as Tia Lupita, to send him bottles of her special hot sauce. Too good to keep to himself, Hector asked for his mother’s blessing to bottle the sauce for everyone to enjoy. His determination in honoring the legacy of this family recipe has helped bring the bright, bold flavors of his Mexican home to dinner tables everywhere.
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While originally envisioning a different career path, Jennifer used her knowledge and experience from apprenticeships to start Jen Contracting Group, paving the way as one of the very few females in her field. Through persistence and consistency, Jen immersed herself into the construction world to learn everything she could to achieve success, and is now making a name as a top woman-owned company within a male-dominated industry.
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Growing up eating empanadas every Sunday in Chile, Polo started cooking these traditional pastries for friends and family when he moved to Texas and received rave reviews. With commitment to creating the perfect empanadas that go the extra mile to bring out tradition, love and enjoyment, YAPA Artisan Empanadas was born to share the classic foods Polo grew up with while creating a memorable experience for customers.
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As a fifth-generation coffee farmer from Columbia, Maria witnessed firsthand the struggle to maintain a living through coffee. When she moved to the U.S., she strived to help her community back home by creating the next big coffee company that takes care of its farmers. With the devotion and strong work ethic instilled in her, Maria co-founded Progeny Coffee and has already helped increase the income and opportunities for more than 25 Colombian coffee farmers.
Learn more atThe Tequila Don Julio Fund partnered with ALPFA (Association of Latino Professionals For America) for grant distribution and grant recipient support.
ALPFA’s mission is to empower and develop Latino men and women as leaders of character for the nation. ALPFA, Inc. is an IRS 501(c)(3) organization.
†The Tequila Don Julio Fund is a donor advised fund with Diageo North America, Inc. as the donor and which is administered by Fairfield County’s Community Foundation, an IRS 501(c)(3) organization. ‡Funds to be provided by a public charitable organizations classified under IRC 501(c)(3) as determined by Diageo Americas, Inc./Tequila Don Julio. Recipient business will not receive monies directly from Diageo Americas, Inc./Tequila Don Julio. ΩBusiness support awarded as 5 year membership in Association of Latino Professionals For America (“ALPFA”), an IRS 501(c)(3) organization.
Launching on Cinco de Mayo, the Tequila Don Julio Fund will commit $1 million over the next four (4) years to approved charities whose missions help the communities that have helped build our spirit into the brand it is today.
This Cinco de Mayo, Tequila Don Julio recognizes that it’s the bartenders and restaurant workers who have always made our Cinco celebrations so special. And it’s the Mexican restaurant workers who are the backbones of this industry. For Cinco de Mayo, Mexican Artist Claudio Límon will release an exclusive design inspired by the Don Julio Cinco that will be available with a non-fungible token (NFT) to be auctioned for 24 hours only. Net proceeds from the auction will be donated by Claudio Límon to the Tequila Don Julio Fund.
The Tequila Don Julio Fund will make its first contribution on Cinco de Mayo through a combined donation of $125,000 in funds to benefit two charities that are providing support to this special community: Restaurant Workers’ Community Foundation, an advocacy and action nonprofit created by and for restaurant workers, and No Us Without You LA, a nonprofit organization aimed at providing food security for Mexican hospitality workers in the greater Los Angeles area.
Click HERE to learn about the “Don Julio Cinco” that unlocks $5 to support the bars and restaurants!
Over the next four years, the Tequila Don Julio Fund is committing $1,000,000 in aid to approved charities whose missions help the communities that have helped build our spirit into the brand it is today. Keep checking back for the next initiative to come from the Tequila Don Julio Fund to help support our friends and familia.
