IOWA CITY, IOWA (July 13, 2026) — In support of community change-makers in Iowa and Nebraska, Big Grove for Good proudly presented $8,000 grants to eight organizations this quarter, investing $64,000 into the communities where Big Grove has a presence. These direct funds are fueling initiatives for food accessibility, environmental stewardship, education, and more.
“Our communities are at the heart of everything we do, and the non-profit organizations we’ve connected with over the years are the driving forces behind thriving places and people,” said Mikala Demet, Executive Director, Big Grove for Good Foundation.
“Once again, our foundation and grant committees dedicated a tremendous amount of time to thoughtfully review each applicant. Thank you to everyone who has supported or made a purchase, which has helped our annual grant program grow and enabled us to support and celebrate non-profits this year.”
The Big Grove for Good Foundation supports initiatives in three core areas each year: Trees, trails, and water; equity and equality; and hyperlocal organizations in “our backyard” committed to direct benefits in their communities. The foundation’s annual grant program is one of many ways it empowers local growth and builds 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.
The Big Grove for Good Foundation respectfully recognizes these 2026 Grant Recipients:
Johnson County, Iowa: Table to Table
Table to Table collects and redistributes surplus food through partners to people who can use it as a part of their mission to make nutritious and desirable food accessible for all and reduce environmental harm.
For every $50 received, they can deliver $600 worth of food to a partner. Each year, they recover and deliver more than 2.5 million pounds of food, providing over half of the food distributed to local pantries, meal sites, and shelters.
TRAIL of Johnson County
Powered by volunteers, TRAIL of Johnson County helps 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. Through donors and grants, TRAIL is able to offer “Supported Membership” at no or very little cost to low- and lower-income members. In 2025, volunteers fulfilled over 2,500 member requests and Life Transition volunteers provided over 1,100 hours of service to eight members.
Linn County, Iowa: Catherine McAuley Center
The Catherine McAuley Center (CMC) is a Place of Welcome, meaning adult learners are welcomed to class, refugees and immigrants are welcomed to the community, and women experiencing homelessness and trauma are welcomed home. More than 500 individuals participate in education and support services each year.
Matthew 25
Matthew 25 strengthens and elevates neighborhoods on the west side of Cedar Rapids by investing in quality affordable housing, healthy food, educational opportunities, and community building. The organization includes the Cultivate Home Urban Farm, which grows food for the neighborhood, an area designated as a “food desert” or location with residents who do not live within one mile of healthy, affordable food. Since its founding in 2006, Matthew 25 has invested more than $10 million in Cedar Rapids neighborhoods. The Cultivate Hope Program gave away $90,000 worth of food in 2025 with the goal to give $100,000 worth of food in 2026.
Polk County, Iowa: Annie’s Foundation
Annie's Foundation started as a small group of moms responding to book removals in their kids’ schools and mission to ensure that members of the community have unhindered access to books with characters and subjects that reflect the diversity and complexity of the world around them. Today they have grown to a nine-member board, working across Iowa to protect access to books and ideas. A $3 donation buys one book, and more than 22,000 free books have reached readers in the state so far.
Holding Tiny Hands
Holding Tiny Hands assists NICU families by providing compassionate care, essential resources, and meaningful connections to community support. Through partnerships with local hospitals in Central Iowa, they empower parents to navigate the NICU journey with strength, confidence, and hope. For every $25 donated, Holding Tiny Hands equips a NICU family with a Parent Support Bag and other thoughtfully selected items for both parent and baby.
Omaha, Nebraska: 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, they equip residents with the skills to grow food, steward the land, and build a more resilient Omaha. For every $1,000, they provide around 21 pounds of fresh produce to local food banks, deliver free public workshops, and expand access to their community gardens and urban farm. Each $5,000 supports a season of immersive training for an urban farming intern — the next generation of growers and environmental stewards.
Youth Emergency Services (YES)
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.
Additional details on each recipient, along with links to each organization, can also be found on our website here.
About Big Grove for Good Foundation
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 and Water; Equity and Equality; and Our Backyard. While inspired and founded by the values of Big Grove Brewery, the Big Grove for Good Foundation operates independently, ensuring a dedicated commitment to community impact. Site: biggroveforgood.com.
About Big Grove Brewery
Big Grove Brewery is among Iowa's top beer producers and is a Top 100 craft brewery nationally. In 2013, the brewery started as a 3.5-barrel brewhouse in Solon, Iowa, and focused on freshly-made craft beer and elevated pub cuisine. The brewery opened an 8,000-square-foot production facility four years later, anchoring the Iowa City Riverfront Crossings redevelopment project with additional concepts opening in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids in 2022 and 2023, respectively. Big Grove has received multiple craft-brewing medals, including a Great American Beer Festival (GABF) gold medal for Easy Eddy, its flagship Hazy IPA, as well as medals for Citrus Surfer Fruited Wheat, and a GABF silver medal for Festbier, a Bavarian-style Märzen. Site: biggrove.com.
