Kimpton Hotels Announces National Sponsorship of The Trevor Project

A longtime supporter of the LGBT community, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants announced a new partnership with The Trevor Project, a leading national organization providing crisis intervention and suicide prevention services to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth ages 13-24. Kimpton is the first national hotel sponsor for The Trevor Project.

Since Kimpton's inception, the company has been committed to an overall philosophy of inclusion and diversity that celebrates the unique differences of guests and employees. Continuing a legacy of employee-driven philanthropy, Kimpton's engagement with The Trevor Project originated in 2013 through employees who have a passion for Trevor's commitment to saving lives of LGBT youth in crisis, and the organization's message of empowerment, pride, bravery and acceptance. This year, Kimpton will evolve its commitment to include a mix of marketing, social media, events and employee volunteer opportunities that will help The Trevor Project expand into new markets and raise funds to support its mission.

"One of the many reasons guests and employees love Kimpton is our philosophy of inclusiveness and the belief that everyone deserves to be appreciated for who they are," said Kimpton Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations Barry Pollard, who has supported The Trevor Project personally and is currently an active member on Kimpton's internal LGBT committee.

"Our organizations share similar values. We both believe that inclusivity and diversity of thought, beliefs, backgrounds, gender and sexual orientation make our communities stronger," said Pollard. "The Trevor Project provides a serious and much-needed service to the LGBT community and we're honored to help the organization support this mission and raise awareness for this important issue."

"The LGBT youth who turn to The Trevor Project for support often lack a sense of acceptance, just because of who they are. That is why engaging with organizations like Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, where diversity and acceptance are valued, is important," said Abbe Land, Executive Director and CEO of The Trevor Project. "The Trevor Project is proud to partner with Kimpton."

The Ambassador Program and More

As part of the partnership, Kimpton will become the presenting sponsor of The Trevor Project's Ambassador program. Trevor Ambassadors are volunteer groups in major U.S. cities that work to expand Trevor's programs, communications and fundraising efforts, helping to ensure LGBT youth have the support they need locally when faced with a suicide crisis.

Additionally, Kimpton's active LGBT Employee Resource group, KPRIDE, which coordinates LGBT activities across the company, will work with existing Trevor Ambassadors at the local level to help with community outreach and regional fundraising events. Markets where Kimpton has a significant hotel and restaurant presence that are also locations for Trevor Ambassadors include Chicago, Philadelphia, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco and Washington, D.C.

Kimpton also will work closely with the organization on TrevorLIVE, a semi-annual fundraising event that brings together top entertainers and corporate leaders to support The Trevor Project's life-saving, life-affirming work for LGBT youth in crisis. As part of this partnership, Kimpton hosted the TrevorLIVE kick-off party on April 23 at the Eventi, a Kimpton Hotel, in New York City where more than 200 guests celebrated and posted #lovethyselfie photos in support of LGBT youth.

Kimpton's guests can also become involved and help support The Trevor Project by using a designated rate code when booking their rooms directly through Kimpton. By entering in the code "TRPR" when booking, guests will receive 10 percent off of their total room cost and Kimpton will donate $5 for every room reserved using this code.

Over the last 33 years, Kimpton has developed strong working relationships with pro-LGBT groups such as the Mautner Project, National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, The National Center for Lesbian Rights, The Transgender Law Center and The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. All Kimpton hotels are members of IGLTA (International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association), and TAG approved, a certification that assures gay-friendly hotel practices. Since 2004, Kimpton has also maintained a perfect rating on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation's Corporate Equality Index.