Bud Light announced a new partnership with the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), the exclusive certifying body of LGBT-owned businesses. As the country continues to reopen, Bud Light will support and use its reach to amplify LGBTQ+ businesses, showing the important role they play in local communities every day. 

“When we first brought Bud Light into the market in 1982, we set out to introduce a beer that would not only disrupt the beer category but was brewed for everyone,” said Alissa Heinerscheid, vice president of marketing for Bud Light Blue, in a statement. “We’re excited to continue supporting the LGBTQ+ community – this year in the form of a new partnership with the NGLCC which will help promote LGBTQ+ businesses across the country that bring people together.”

To support the NGLCC, Bud Light will donate $200,000 which will go toward the NGLCC’s Communities of Color Initiative (CoCi). The initiative is designed to support LGBTQ+ business owners of Color in their development, including underwriting certification as an LGBT Business Enterprise as well as scholarships to the NGLCC International Business and Leadership Conference and participation in the NGLCC XLR8 Executive Leadership Development and Capacity Building Program. A portion of the funds also will be used to support the NGLCC’s Affiliate Chamber Academy (ACA), an educational series developed to bring next level leadership skills to state and local LGBTQ+ chamber leaders to aid in their efforts supporting LGBTQ+ businesses locally.

Bud Light also will bring its Rainbow aluminum bottles to the market, which over the years have become a symbol of June Pride Month celebrations across the country. In addition, in select markets Bud Light will be donating paid media inventory to highlight local LGBTQ+ businesses to increase visibility of these destinations that bring members of the community together.

“For us at the NGLCC, we always strive to work with not only likeminded partners, but allies of the LGBTQ+ community,” said NGLCC Co-Founder and President Justin Nelson. “We’re thrilled to bring on our new friends at Bud Light as partners; they not only understand how important it is to bring members of the LGBTQ+ community together, but also the vital role LGBTQ+ owned businesses play.”