America’s craft beer scene bestows so many great things on society. Thousands of breweries operate from coast to coast, in cities large and small, serving artisanal beverages that can easily compete with the finest beer in the world. But there is one other reason to exalt this industry known as craft beer, and that would be the focus on community support. Oregon’s Ninkasi Brewing is a frequent player in the community spirit game and just recently, the Eugene, Oregon brewery completed a four- month charitable campaign, raising funds for several non- profit organizations.
Dubbed the Beer is Love donation program, Ninkasi Brewing launched this latest act of charity in January, 2017, pledging to donate $1 for every case sold and $7 for every keg sold of its Believer Double Red. The program ran through April 30, 2017 and the results exceeded expectations, with $37,776 collected. The money will be disbursed to Team River Runner, Women Who Code and Conscious Alliance. Ninkasi Brewing’s National Donations Manager, Emilie Hartvig, says the program’s implementation was based on the belief in community and corporate support for the common good.
“We established Beer is Love to give back to nonprofits in all the states where our beer is sold,” explained Hartvig. “We believe beer unites and builds community; our Believer campaign offered fans an easy way to help support that cause by enjoying some delicious beer at the same time.”
Ninkasi’s Beer is Love program is actually several years old. Started in 2012, the idea is to support non- profit organizations in five specific categories: Women, equality, recreation, environment, and arts/music. Believer Double Red seemed like a good match for this year’s charitable campaign.
“We brought back Believer as our first seasonal of the year, donating a portion of its sales was a natural fit to celebrate its re-release,” says Hartvig. “Our team hand-selected three national nonprofits to benefit from the campaign, all representing pillars of our Beer is Love program.”
To add to the involvement, Ninkasi fans were asked to cast votes online for their non- profit of choice. The final vote was used to determine how much money would go to each non- profit organization. In total, more than 6,000 votes were asked and once the votes were counted, Team River Runner finished first, followed by Women Who Code and Conscious Alliance. Team River Runner will receive 50 percent of the money collected with the other two charities receiving 30 percent and 20 percent respectively.
Team River Runner, a volunteer driven organization dedicated to helping wounded and disabled veterans gain a sense of independence through paddle sports, will receive more than $18,000. Executive director Joe Mornini is eternally grateful for the donation and he commends Ninkasi Brewing for its ongoing community support.
“We are so appreciative of Ninkasi for having Team River Runner be a part of this thoughtful campaign,” says Mornini. “Ninkasi’s desire to support organizations that give back to our community is inspiring; we are honored to call Ninkasi part of our national family dedicated to healing and empowerment of veterans and their families.”
Team River Runner says it plans to use the money to start a new program, Vision Team, which will create new activities and clinics for the visually impaired, helping them hone their kayaking skills. Hartvig is proud of what Ninkasi Brewing and its many adoring fans were able to accomplish, For Team River Runner and the others, not just directly through the donations, but also indirectly through heightened awareness.
“The support for these nonprofits over the past four months was nothing short of outstanding and moving,” states Hartvig. “Not only are we excited to see how these organizations use the funds but also to see increased awareness for the work they are doing.”
To learn more about Ninkasi Brewing, visit online at www.NinkasiBrewing.com.
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