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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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Our 2025 Non-profit Grant Partners

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.

Iowa Valley RC&D

Iowa Valley RC&D's influence is grounded in community, partnerships, and collaboration as they trai and support farmers, build local food infrastructure, generate new innovative markets, and improve access to locally grown foods.
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Iowa City Free Medical & Dental Clinic

FMC, established in 1971, believes that access to affordable health care is a basic human necessity, and they strive to provide the widest range of medical and dental services possible to people in the Iowa City and surrounding community who would not otherwise have access to care.
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Central Furniture Rescue

CFR is a nonprofit organization dedicated to turning empty spaces into homes for individuals and families transitioning out of homelessness, crisis, or displacement.
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Monarch Research

Monarch Research is leading efforts to restore monarch butterfly populations, native habitats, and tree canopies through programs like Monarch Zones, Native Oasis, and Planting Forward, fostering biodiversity and environmental stewardship across urban and rural landscapes.
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The Beacon

The Beacon doesn't just provide shelter — they provide a pathway to healing and stability. Women go to them from devastating circumstances — escaping domestic violence, recovering from substance abuse, or reentering society after incarceration — all facing immense barriers to stability.
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Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice

Iowa MMJ is a legal service and advocacy organization driven and led by immigrant and refugee voices united with allies. They support immigrants and refugees with free and low-cost immigration legal services and leadership development through grassroots organizations.
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Previous non-profit partners

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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