12/05/2024
by Laura Hull

Global Lounge, a Boise-based arts and cultural organization, inspires and uplifts the Treasure Valley through its mission to bridge cultural gaps and create inclusive, welcoming spaces for all. By celebrating the arts and traditions of immigrant, refugee, and local communities, Global Lounge fosters understanding and connection here in Idaho, where more than 500 refugees resettle each year and where international talent contributes significantly to the economy.

Global Lounge showcases and supports artists from all over the world through a range of offerings including its World Village Festival and Salsa Under the Stars events and its community space, Global Lounge Commons, at 3085 North Cole Road, Suite 203, Boise, ID 83704. From traditional performers to emerging talents, Global Lounge gives a stage and a voice to those who may otherwise go unseen.

Stories That Illustrate Impact
The magic of Global Lounge lies in the ripple effect of the lives it touches. At the World Village Festival, one visitor, Daniel, experienced a moment that changed his life. A German native who recently graduated in north Idaho, Daniel wasn’t sure if Idaho would become his home. One day, while visiting downtown Boise, he heard music with Mexican roots, his ancestral heritage. Drawn to the sound, he ran from the Record Exchange to the festival grounds. Upon arriving, Daniel was astounded. “I had never seen so many people from all over the world – Hispanic, Asian, and others – all together in one place,” he shared. That day, Daniel connected deeply with the community, bidding on and winning a piece of artwork. The experience made him realize Boise was a place where he could belong, leading him to stay in Idaho rather than move to Washington.

Global Lounge’s impact also extends to the entrepreneurial community.
Ratna, a Nepali-American refugee, was given his first opportunity to sell his food at World Village Festival. With Global Lounge’s support, Ratna gained the confidence to grow his business. Today, he’s a sought-after vendor. He donated $1,000 back to Global Lounge out of gratitude, a touching gesture from a refugee-turned-business owner.

For Boise’s Muslim women, the Global Lounge Commons provides a vital safe space for exercise and community gathering, something many had struggled to find elsewhere. “We sometimes don’t even know the full extent of our impact,” says Dayo Ayodele, Global Lounge’s founder. “But the stories just keep coming, and it inspires us to do more.”

ArtsHERE Grant: A Catalyst for Growth
Receiving a $130,000 ArtsHERE Capacity Building Grant from Creative West is empowering the organization to make long-held dreams a reality.

“This grant is putting Global Lounge on a different platform as an arts organization,” Dayo explains. “It’s making the impossible possible. It’s allowing me to fully dedicate myself to this work and create ripple effects throughout Idaho. It’s no longer just a passion project. It’s becoming something we can live and breathe every day.”

The grant provides essential resources for Global Lounge’s growth, including building sustainable staffing models, thus expanding programming capacity, and supporting the Global Lounge Commons space that everyone in the community can call their own.

The Future of Global Lounge
In the next five years, Global Lounge envisions itself as a cultural hub where people of all backgrounds feel welcomed and valued. “Our mission has always been to provide a stage and create equity for Idaho’s diverse community engaging in all forms of art, whether Western or traditional,” Dayo says. “It’s about championing the underserved and ensuring that everyone feels like they belong.”

Partnering with Premio Services
We have been proud to help Global Lounge in their capacity-building journey transitioning from an all-volunteer nonprofit, to one with paid staff. This partnership began in 2023, when we first contracted with Global Lounge for grant readiness and best positioned them to win more grants. We then delivered our research on funders best aligned with Global Lounge and began writing and managing grants to those funders while providing consulting along the way. Just over one year after our partnership began, Global Lounge is making huge strides in their capacity building efforts. With one paid staff person (Dayo, now Executive Director), Global Lounge is building a case for matching funds to receive more grants and fund two additional positions, programming, and other key areas for strategic growth.

“Working with Premio Services has been amazing,” Dayo shares. “Laura and her team don’t feel like contractors, they feel like part of our family. Their passion and humanity have elevated our work to new levels. They’ve helped us see opportunities and navigate from point A to point B to point C, and they’ve exceeded all our expectations. Together, we’ve strategized and set the stage for Global Lounge’s next chapter.”

A Shared Commitment to Community
At Premio Services, we are honored to support Global Lounge as they build a more inclusive and vibrant Treasure Valley. Their work, rooted in equity and belonging, aligns seamlessly with our mission to help organizations achieve transformational growth that makes the world a better place. Congratulations to Global Lounge for receiving the ArtsHERE grant and for the incredible work they continue to do for Idaho. We are proud to be part of their journey!