Quarterly event offers benefits to brewers, charities, members
By Dee Longfellow
For The Elmhurst Independent
Ever donate $100 to a cause and just sort of wonder where it goes or if it’s really doing any good? What if you could give $10,000? That would certainly make a difference. It would likely get you as the donor a great deal of praise and recognition.
Well, what happens if you don’t have $10,000 to donate to a local charity – which most of us don’t! But if you could turn your $100 into $10,000, then you’re talking about making a real difference. Sometimes a jaw-dropping experience for the charity recipient of your donation.
There have been a few organizations who have recognized this and begun an effort to consolidate donations to make for a significant contribution to an organization. The 100+ Women Who Care is one such group that allows its members to select a charity from among three and then write a $100 check directly to that organization to be presented by the group’s organizers so that in total, a $10,000 contribution can be made.
Hops for Humanity is a newer organization that is taking the experience one step – or several steps – further.
Hops For Humanity is the brainchild of Elmhurst attorney Patrick Sheehan who happens to be a person who appreciates a good glass of beer. Sheehan even brews his own at home and recognizes the effort that goes into such a business. With that in mind, he and his wife Julie Miller who also works at the law firm, figured out a way to combine charitable donations with their love of beer. And Hops for Humanity was born.
Similar to other groups, Hops for Humanity members meet once quarterly and each member contributes $100 each of the four quarters. This offers members a $400 tax write-off annually in a fairly painless way.
Then three charities are nominated at each meeting and a presentation is given about why a particular organization should be elected to receive that quarter’s donation. That evening the recipient is selected by the group.
And now for the beer…
Each meeting of Hops for Humanity takes place at a different location, often at a local area brewery, where craft beers are available and, per Sheehan’s promise, there will be at least one new beer presented that guests will have never before experienced.
After presentations by the charities, a vote is taken for the winner. Then another event takes place a few weeks later when the check is presented to the charity (again at a brewery or establishment that serves top-of-the-line libations). At the following event, that charity is invited back to explain how they have used the money.
One advantage at Hops for Humanity is that you can pay online with a credit card if you don’t want to write a check or if you simply want to get the contribution portion over before the quarterly meeting. People are expected to bring their check for $100 to the meeting, but many prefer to take care of it in advance, so there is nothing to do but make the selection and enjoy the beer!
Sheehan is not surprisingly proud of what the organization has done so far.
“It has been more than two years and we’ve been given $94,500 for local charities,” Sheehan told the Independent in an exclusive interview. “The thing that really astounds me, the thing that I never contemplated, was the immense local need for awesome great charities that do incredible work that I never heard of or knew of before. They’re all on a shoestring, staffed by volunteers mostly. And when we give $10,000 to a deserving local charities, we’re usually doubling their annual budget or MORE. So the good that they do is magnified by the good we do. It is humbling to learn about all this need.”
The other thing Sheehan said he hadn’t contemplated is how the group can continue to assist local charities just through introductions.
“For instance, the Alyssa Foundation,” he said, “they give musical instruments – so we are now reaching out to people we know, such as Midwest Movers in Des Plaines. They often come across musical instruments so we introduced Midwest Movers to the Alyssa Alvin Foundation. We’re now going to reach out to all of our hosts – for instance, what a great place to drop off your instrument and have a beer, too. What better place?”
Sheehan couldn’t say enough about how meeting people through Hops for Humanity allows the charity to go beyond the money and help connect people with other helpful organizations.
“Everything is interconnected,” he said. “The generosity of the brewers is so heart-warming, they are willing to give us a night to host us, because they don’t have to do that. We show a real commitment to the local brewing community.”
While some are at breweries, most of the events take place at restaurants with local brewers bringing in their stock for our guests to enjoy tastings. If we feature a local brewer, that person has donated beer, which costs them but then again, we’re bringing 100 people to them, most of whom have never been there before or tasted their beer before. We’re opening people’s eyes to new taste and new experiences and the brewer is forming a symbiotic relationship – the brewers are very generous willing to give back to the community. We’ve thought about raising further money by incorporating sales of custom embroidery tops that have the brewery’s name and ‘Hops For Humanity on it. Hopefully we can get something like that in motion.”
Sheehan was quick to acknowledge all his helpers.
“I’m really proud of the Board of Directors, I cannot take credit without mentioning them, there’s no way,” he said. “And Julie works super hard with our dedicated Board of nine people. Equally, we couldn’t do the without the brewers and the restaurants – collective effort. We couldn’t do it without our members, either. There are a whole lot of people involved who make this a success.”
The next event will take place at Imperial Oak Brewing in Willow Springs on Monday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m.
When asked about hopes for the future, Sheehan mentions two things.
“First, I’m proud to say we have events scheduled through January of 2018, which is astounding. When we first started out, we had to beg a little bit for a location and for beer. Now that we’re well-known, people are actually calling us. My first hope for the future is that it continue.
“My second thing I’m not so secretly hoping is that other Chapters open – I would love for someone to copy this model and start it in other communities. The model is easily transferrable and two people have already approached us.”
Next stop for Hops…
Imperial Oak Brewing will host upcoming event April 17
Hosted by Imperial Oak Brewing at 510 Willow Blvd. in Willow Springs, the next event for Hops for Humanity takes place on Monday, April 17 at 7:30 p.m. Doors open at 7 p.m. for check-in. Guests who register in advance online can avoid the line and get right to the beer!
About the host…
Imperial Oak Brewing is a small (7 bbl) brewery that puts the beer first. Their focus is on “imperial strength” and “barrel aged” brews but they offer an ever-changing variety of styles to satisfy a wide range of tastes. Imperial Oak Brewing is the vision of two home brewers, Brett Semenske and Grant Hamilton, along with Chris DiBraccio, the owner of a craft beer bar, all of who have a passion for making (and drinking) great beer. Beers are sold in-house only but “growlers & crowlers” (32 oz cans) are available to-go.
Membership Update…Everyone Votes!
Hops for Humanity has been listening to its valued members and has decided all paying attendees will be able to vote for the nominated charities.
Through the first nine events, more than $90,000 has been raised for local 501(c)(3) charities.
Attending the next event will offer the incredible feeling of selecting a local deserving charity that can receive up to $10,000. At each event, the prior event winner reports on how they are using Hops for Humanity funds to make a difference in their organization and community.
Through the first 2-plus years, 100% of attendees $100 donation has gone directly to the winning charity.
Note: Nomination of charities is still only available to committed Hops for Humanity members. A committed Member is an individual that commits to paying for four consecutive events.
Here’s what people say about Hops for Humanity…
“A clear and important mission, dedication to the local community, genuinely great people involved-that’s what makes Hops for Humanity such an amazing organization, and it’s why Red Arrow decided to make Hops our preferred charity.”
Joseph B. Tota, CEO
Red Arrow Tap Room
“Thanks to Hops For Humanity for a great donation. The funds will help provide homebound seniors with a meal and someone to check up on them.”
Marylin Krolak, Executive Director
DuPage Senior Citizens Council
“Hops for humanity brings out a bunch of great people to do two things they really love – help their fellow man and drink beer!”
Anthony Gambino
First Course Productions
“Hops for Humanity’s grant allowed us to provide specialized training for our Educational Mentors to work with older children in foster care living in group homes. Our Educational Mentors have worked to help these children navigate their education and personal lives. Our work not only benefits these children but it benefits generations to come.”
Susan A. McConnell
Founder and Director, Let It Be Us
“In today’s not for profit funding circus, many things don’t matter.
Among those things that don’t matter are how much good you do,
if your financials don’t look right, regardless of how deep your supporters pockets are.
Another thing that doesn’t matter is that you need an infusion of capital simply to
meet your organizational expenses. That if your request isn’t tied to an end result that
comes out on the profit side of the Pand L statement, you’re not getting funded.
“How incredibly special it was to present our story to the Hops for Humanity team and
then be selected as a recipient of $10,600 just last meeting, based solely on the story we had
to tell about our very simple mission to provide job training and employment opportunities
for people with disabilities. We couldn’t be more proud of being chosen from a very select group
of charities and we will go on thru another growing season thanks to their help.
“What a terrific group of people! Thank you Pat and company for starting such a simple giving idea.”
Proudly, Gregg Bettcher
Executive Director
We Grow Dreams Greenhouse
