Big Grove For Good, founded by Big Grove Brewery, has awarded $48,000 to six nonprofits in Johnson, Linn and Polk counties.
Each selected nonprofit will receive $8,000 to advance its mission, ranging from affordable health care and trauma recovery services to monarch butterfly habitat restoration.
“This year, more than ever, it’s clear that nonprofit organizations and their causes are vital to the well-being of our communities,” said Mikala Demet, executive director of the Big Grove for Good Foundation. “With a record number of exceptional applications, our foundation and grant committees in each county spent countless hours carefully considering each cause and its potential impact. We hope these grants not only provide financial support but also raise awareness of the ongoing needs for volunteers, materials, and advocacy.”
The Big Grove For Good Foundation supports initiatives that drive environmental sustainability, social equity, and community development. The foundation’s annual grant program is one of many ways it empowers local changemakers to grow and build stronger communities.
Big Grove for Good is an independent, private 501(c)(3) organization committed to strengthening regions where Big Grove operates and has a presence.
Grant recipients by county:
Johnson County
- Iowa City Free Medical & Dental Clinic: The Free Medical and Dental Clinic (FMC) provides a wide range of medical and dental services to people in Iowa City and surrounding communities for those who would not otherwise have access to care. In 2024, the FMC treated more than 6,700 patients and treated 14,720 diagnoses, a marked increase in both areas from the year before. Nearly all their patients are uninsured or underinsured.
- Iowa Valley Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D): This Johnson County organization trains and supports farmers, builds local food infrastructure, generates new markets, and improves access to local food. With programs based at the Johnson County Historic Poor Farm and across Iowa, a $13,000 farm investment by Iowa Valley RC&D yields 20 tons of fresh produce for Johnson County Food Assistance partners.
Linn County
- Central Furniture Rescue (CFR): Central Furniture Rescue assists people transitioning out of homelessness or crisis by transforming empty spaces into homes. Partnering with local agencies, CFR provides essential furniture and household items to create stable, dignified homes while diverting furniture from landfills.
- Monarch Research: Restoring monarch populations, native habitats, and local tree canopies, Monarch Research offers programs to promote biodiversity and environmental stewardship throughout Linn County and beyond.
Polk County
- Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (Iowa MMJ): Iowa MMJ is a legal and advocacy organization led by immigrants and refugees that provides low- and no-cost immigration legal services to approximately 2000 people annually. It also builds community leadership through grassroots organizing.
- The Beacon: The Beacon provides structured, trauma-informed recovery housing and services for women overcoming domestic violence, substance use, or incarceration. Women engage in programs focused on recovery, job training, and life skills to build stable, independent lives.
The Big Grove For Good Foundation is a private 501(c)(3) organization that manages The Neighborhood Beer program, which provides micro-grants to individuals and organizations working to improve their neighborhoods. The foundation also administers sponsorship and in-kind donation requests, its Beers for a Cause program, plus “Good Giving” grants to support nonprofit organizations in Big Grove’s three core categories: Trees, Trails & Water; Equity & Equality; and Our Backyard.
While inspired and founded by the values of Big Grove Brewery, the Big Grove For Good Foundation operates independently.
