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Creating Change
Beyond Good Beer

The Big Grove for Good Foundation fosters positive change across the Midwest by partnering with nonprofits, communities, and grassroots initiatives. Committed to environmental sustainability, social equity, and community development, we harness collaboration, creativity, and empathy to create lasting impact and build stronger, more vibrant communities.
Supporting our local community is at the heart of our mission. We are dedicated to making a meaningful impact through intentional giving, focusing the majority of our charitable efforts on three key areas:
In-Kind Donation Request
Sponsorship Request
Micro-Grant Program

Core Giving Areas

Trees, trails, & water

Improve green spaces, promote sustainability, and foster environmental revitalization for healthier communities and a thriving planet.

Equity & Equality

Foster a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community, promoting fairness and compassion in every interaction.

Our Backyard

Support hyperlocal organizations that directly benefit our communities, providing resources and opportunities accessible to all guests and team members, and fostering places where people can live, thrive, and grow.
Past Non-Profit Partners

Get to know our foundation

The Big Grove for Good Foundation is the community impact initiative of Big Grove Brewery, dedicated to fostering positive change across the Midwest. Rooted in the belief that businesses thrive when their communities do, the work of the foundation harnesses the power of collaboration, creativity, and empathy to support causes that matter most to Midwestern communities.

Through partnerships with nonprofits, local organizations, and grassroots initiatives, Big Grove for Good focuses on key areas such as environmental sustainability, social equity, and community development. By leveraging resources, hosting events, and brewing purpose-driven beers, we aim to cultivate meaningful connections and create lasting, tangible impacts.

Big Grove for Good isn’t just about giving back—it’s about stepping forward, embracing the opportunity to make our corner of the world a better place for everyone.

Non-Profit Partners

Beer for a cause

Neighborhood beer

Lager
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Rainbow connection

Fruited sour
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Good Grove

Fruited lager
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Wade Wisely

Oatmeal stout
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Trees, trails, & water

Improve green spaces, promote sustainability, and foster environmental revitalization for healthier communities and a thriving planet.

Equity & Equality

Foster a diverse, inclusive, and equitable community, promoting fairness and compassion in every interaction.

Our backyard

Support hyperlocal organizations that directly benefit our communities, providing resources and opportunities accessible to all guests and team members, and fostering places where people can live, thrive, and grow.

Our backyard

Support hyperlocal organizations that directly benefit our communities, providing resources and opportunities accessible to all guests and team members, and fostering places where people can live, thrive, and grow.

Apply for a micro-grant today

Big Grove Brewery is committed to celebrating and supporting the communities we call home.

That’s why we’re proud to introduce The Neighborhood Beer Micro-Grant Program—funded by every case of Neighborhood Beer sold. Learn more and request a micro-grant for your neighborhood here.
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2026 Non-profit Grant Applications Are Now Closed

Big Grove for Good’s grant program partners with local nonprofits each year to help grow and strengthen our communities.

By providing funding, we support initiatives that make a meaningful impact, fostering positive change and empowering organizations dedicated to improving lives.

Johnson County 

Iowa
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Linn County

Iowa
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Omaha Metro

Nebraska
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Polk County

Iowa
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2026 Grant Recipients

Annie's Foundation

Annie's Foundation began as a small group of moms responding to book removals in their kids' schools. Our mission: To ensure that members of our community have unhindered access to books with characters and subjects that reflect the diversity and complexity of the world around them. Today, we are a nine-member board — including parents, community advocates, and a college student — working across Iowa to protect access to books and ideas. More than 22,000 free books have reached readers across Iowa — and we're just getting started.
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Catherine McAuley Center

The Catherine McAuley Center, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, is a Place of Welcome where adult learners are welcomed to class, refugees, and immigrants are welcomes to the community, and women experiencing homelessness and trauma are welcomed home. More than 500 individuals participate in education and support services at CMC each year.
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City Sprouts

Omaha City Sprouts is an urban farm, community garden, and education center that teaches, practices, and grows sustainability. Through hands-on learning, community gardens, and farm-based programs, we equip people with the skills to grow food, steward the land, and build a more resilient Omaha.
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Holding Tiny Hands

Holding Tiny Hands Foundation supports NICU families by providing compassionate care, essential resources, and meaningful connections to community support. Through partnerships with local hospitals in Central Iowa, we empower parents to navigate the NICU journey with strength, confidence, and hope.
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Matthew 25

Matthew 25, an independent, local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, began in 2006 to help strengthen and elevate neighborhoods on the west side of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Matthew 25 works to improve the health of people and neighborhoods by investing in quality afforable housing, healthy food, educational opportunities, and community building.
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Table to Table

Table to Table bridges the gap between abundance and hunger. Our mission is to increase food equality and reduce environmental harm by collecting and redistributing surplus food through partners to people who can use it. We envision a more just and less wasteful food system where nutritious, desirable, and culturally meaningful food is accessible to all.
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TRAIL of Johnson County

TRAIL of Johnson County is powered by volunteers to help older adults live and age with support, safety, and connection in the places they call home by providing tools and resources for active independent living.
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Youth Emergency Services

Youth Emergency Services (YES) is the only organization in Omaha with the sole mission of helping homeless and at-risk youth. YES provides critically needed resources and support to youth who are experiencing homelessness or near-homelessness. Through a variety of programs and services, YES empowers youth to become self-sufficient and confident, with the skills needed to transition successfully into adulthood.
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Previous non-profit partners

2025

Iowa City Free Medical & Dental Clinic Iowa Valley RC&D Central Furniture Rescue Monarch Research Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice The Beacon

2024

Antelope Lending Library Eastern Iowa ARTS Academy Young Parents Network (YPN) Mary's Helping Hands Wright House SafeNetRx

2023

Iowa City Free Lunch Program Iowa City & Coralville's Boxing Club (ICOR) Central Iowa Shelter & Services Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Iowa

2022

Houses Into Homes Inside Out Re-Entry Program Open Heartland

Board of directors

Doug Goettsch

President

Doug is the co-founder of Big Grove Brewery, which he helped establish in 2013 in Solon, Iowa. Under his leadership, Big Grove has grown into one of Iowa's largest breweries, known for its quality craft beer and inviting spaces. Doug studied at the Culinary Institute of America, and his experience extends to being a partner in several Iowa City area restaurants, including Pullman Bar & Diner and St. Burch Tavern. Outside of work, Doug enjoys golfing and traveling with his wife.

Mundi McCarty

Treasure

Mundi is a passionate nonprofit leader dedicated to preserving history and supporting her community. With nearly a decade at the University of Iowa Foundation, she joined the Hoover Presidential Foundation in 2017. A Solon resident, she also serves on the Solon Education Foundation board. Mundi enjoys family time, gardening, reading, and antique hunting.

Whitney Wessling

Secretary

Whitney is the Executive Assistant to the CEO at Big Grove Brewery, managing operations, schedules, and strategic initiatives. A University of Iowa graduate, she previously worked in the Iowa City Community School District. Passionate about community involvement, she serves as Race Director for Run for the Schools. Whitney enjoys time with her husband, daughter, and three dogs.

Debbie Ackerman

Director

Debbie is the Johnson County Director and Director of Community Building and Engagement at HACAP, where she has served for over 12 years. Passionate about empowering people and strengthening communities, she has called Cedar Rapids home for over 20 years. Debbie enjoys concerts, kayaking with her dog, crafting, and spending time with loved ones.

Damian J. Thompson

Director

Damian is the Interim Executive Director at Iowa Safe Schools, where he leads lobbying, media relations, and fundraising efforts. Before joining ISS in 2019, he worked in the Office of Governor Kim Reynolds and at a bipartisan government affairs firm. A 2017 cum laude graduate of Drake University, Damian enjoys DJing, antiquing, and curating his historic mid-century modern home.

Mikala Demet

Executive Director

Mikala is the Community & Project Manager at Big Grove Brewery, where she leads the company's philanthropy and sustainability efforts. Since joining in 2017, she has been instrumental in expanding Big Grove's community impact through grantmaking, nonprofit partnerships, events, and environmental initiatives. Before joining Big Grove, she worked on political campaigns in Iowa and Florida, where she gained firsthand experience in grassroots organizing and developed a strong understanding of the power of communtiy engagement. Outside of work, Mikala enjoys reading, cross-stitching, spending time outdoors, and relaxing with her fiancé and their two cats.
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