Welcome to the Alcohol & chats, where we ask questions to interesting people in the alcohol world.
This week’s spotlight is on Bourbon Charity founder Brandon Hunt. A bourbon enthusiast, Brandon created Bourbon Charity when he donated his collection to raise money when his father and a friend’s daughter were both battling cancer.
1) What is Bourbon Charity?
Bourbon Charity is a nonprofit organization I founded in 2019 when my “Pops” was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Growing up in Kentuckiana, bourbon, basketball and the Kentucky Derby are all close to my heart. I decided to donate my bourbon collection to start the organization and have been blown away by this incredible community of now 12,000 supporters whose passion for combining charity with bourbon to #drinkforachange has helped us to raise $1.2 million for 26 different charities in just over two years. Our core supported charities include: Prostate Cancer Foundation, Children’s Tumor Foundation, Fisher House Foundation, Dare to Care, and charity: water.
2) What role does the Bourbon Hood play?
Bourbon Hood is a passionate community of more than 650 monthly givers that help to ensure that 100% of funds raised will be donated to the supported charities. Thanks to this group, Bourbon Charity is now fully funded! Bourbon Hood members receive ticket entries in each Bourbon Charity fundraiser as well as exclusive merchandise and discounts. For more information, visit bourbonhood.org
3) Are you ever amazed at how quickly Bourbon Charity has grown and been able to help numerous charities?
Yes, every single day I’m continually amazed and inspired by this passionate and likeminded bourbon community that has joined me for the ride in helping to make a difference in others’ lives. And I’m forever thankful to all of our sponsors, including Bardstown Bourbon Company, Barrell Craft Spirits, Beam Suntory and Woodford Reserve. for their support and donations.
4) You’ve done a lot of giveaways and events, what’s been the most fun or memorable?
The online fundraising model has served us well, especially given the current state of the world. I think my favorite events so far have been Virtual Bingo because it’s incredibly rewarding to see so many of our supporters having a great time for a great cause. We also do barrel picks and host several online fundraising events throughout the year, featuring rare and allocated whiskey. This Fall, we’re also doing our first in-person event – the Bourbon Open – a golf tournament on November 20, 2021, to benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley.
5) Currently, the Support Our Troops Giveaway is underway. How did the come about, what’s up for grabs and what charities does this help?
We are proud to team up with Beam Suntory for our Support Our Troops Fundraiser. Folks can enter through September 6, 2021 for the chance to win awesome prizes including: OFC 1995, Van Winkle Rye, Old Rip, Stagg, Elmer T Lee, Jim Beam Distiller’s Masterpiece and more. We’ve already raised more than $25K, which will benefit the following charities: Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Wounded Warrior Project, Prostate Cancer Foundation, Pat Tillman Foundation, and Disabled American Veterans.
For more information about Bourbon Charity and to donate, visit bourboncharity.org. Follow Bourbon Charity on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/bourboncharity and Instagram @bourboncharity.
Hops & Spirits 