Big Grove Brewery has launched The Neighborhood Beer, a new lager tied to a micro-grant initiative aimed at funding small-scale community projects.
The initiative, managed through the newly established Big Grove For Good Foundation, will provide direct financial support to individuals and organizations working to enhance local neighborhoods.
“Big Grove has always been about strengthening the neighborhoods where we operate,” said Matt Swift, co-founder and CEO of Big Grove. “We intentionally build where we can contribute to revitalization efforts. Now, we’re taking that commitment further—using our beer sales to directly fund neighborhood improvement projects led by the people who live there.”
Big Grove For Good Foundation
The Big Grove For Good Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, will oversee the grant program, handling application reviews, recipient selection and fund distribution. The foundation operates independently from the brewery to ensure transparency and accountability. Doug Goettsch, Big Grove co-founder, will chair the foundation’s board.
Big Grove has contributed an initial $20,000 to launch the micro-grant program. In addition to funding community projects, the foundation will manage the brewery’s charitable initiatives, including in-kind donations and nonprofit sponsorships.
Micro-grants will be funded directly through sales of The Neighborhood Beer, which will be available at Big Grove taprooms and select retailers in Iowa, Nebraska, and western Illinois beginning March 10. For every case sold, $1 will go to the foundation to support neighborhood projects within Big Grove’s distribution and taproom footprint.
“Adding a lager to our portfolio was always something we were looking to do, but we knew
there had to be a differentiator in how we approached the market. What separates Big Grove is the good we do in the communities we are in, and that’s where the idea for the micro-grants came from. We hope these micro-grants inspire individuals and organizations to take action in their neighborhoods,” Mr. Goettsch said. “We’re putting our money where our beer is and helping people create change—one person, one project at a time.”
Grant Details and Application Process
Grants will range from $250 to $1,000 and are open to individuals and organizations in Iowa, Illinois, and Nebraska, with additional Midwest states expected to be added in 2025. Eligible projects include initiatives such as public space improvements, building lending libraries, planting trees or funding community events.
Applications can be submitted at BigGroveForGood.com or via QR codes printed on The Neighborhood Beer packaging. Grants will be awarded on a rolling basis, with funding tied directly to beer sales.
