Bell’s Brewery investing $480,000 into grant donations for responsible water stewardship

KALAMAZOO, MI — Carrie Yunker wants the community to know that, despite being part of a bigger company now, Bell’s Brewery intends to continue to show up in a big way for causes it believes in.

As part of that, on Monday, Aug. 15, the brewery, which Yunker serves as executive vice president of, announced the launch of its Inspired Giving campaign — the company’s first official grassroots grant program dedicated to giving back to the communities where Bell’s beer is distributed.

By donating $1 of every barrel of beer sold to supporting organizations that are “working to solve society’s most pressing social and environmental challenges,” the Inspired Giving campaign was designed to bridge divides, inspire optimism and strengthen communities, a news release from Bell’s stated. The program will contribute to different social and environmental causes each year moving forward.

Related: Bell’s Brewery looks toward future under local leadership and New Belgium partnership

“We’ve always had our tagline ‘inspired brewing’ and that’s sort of the ethos that Bell’s has been built on and I feel like this is a continued component of that, the sort of beyond how do we make great beer is how do we make a really important impact,” Yunker told the Kalamazoo Gazette/MLive. “We don’t just want to have an opinion, we want to make a real difference and I think that’s an important part of us and who we are.”

While the campaign ensures the amount Bell’s gives annually will grow along with the continued growth of the business, for starters it guarantees that $480,000 will be donated to nonprofits, programs and organizations dedicated to supporting clean water and water habitat protection by year’s end.

The amount is based off the number of barrels, 480,000, sold in 2021. Those interested in applying for grant funds have through Oct. 15 to apply. Awards are anticipated to range between $500 and $5,000, up to $100,000. Interested parties can visit bellsbeer.com/inspired-giving to apply.

Recipients do not have to be in the Southwest Michigan region, but their work does need to be focused on water conservation efforts or equitable water access in areas across the continental U.S. where Bell’s does business, Walker Modic, director of environmental programs at Bell’s, told the Kalamazoo Gazette/MLive.

Bell’s currently distributes beer in 43 states, in addition to Puerto Rico and Washington D.C.

“As a Michigan-based company bordered by the largest fresh water resource on the planet, the Great Lakes, we recognize the responsibility we have to protect our lakes and rivers and their critical importance to our business, and our community,” Modic said. “It’s crucial that we take steps now to ensure equitable access to clean, safe, high quality water resources for all, for centuries to come.”

Modic, who began with the company in 2013 as a sustainability specialist, has remained focused from day one on the mitigation of the consequences of Bell’s operations environmentally though best practice in design engineering, byproducts utilization and other activities to ensure their resource use is efficient.

Programs such as the implementation of foam traps at Bell’s brewing facility have helped the brewery to save 15 million gallons or water per year, he said, adding that the company’s employees are consistently looking to do what they can to conserve water and ensure they are being environmentally conscious in their work.

“We use a lot of water and it seems preposterously unfair that we should be able to draw a significant amount of water while there are people in the state who can’t have any water at all because their faucets have been shut off,” Modic said. “When I think about what it means to be a responsible steward of water, that equity of access is essential.

“The issues that affect our water and the availability of clean, safe water for everybody is a much larger effort than we can do on our own and growing a network of partners and leveraging their subject matter expertise (is key). We are outstanding at making beer. Being able to partner with people who are outstanding at protecting our water resources really is a pivot point that’s thrilling.”

Selecting the grant award winners will be a team of Bell’s employees who have volunteered to be part of the brewery’s Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) team, something that excites both Yunker and Modic.

“We’ll go through a matrix of looking at how those organizations are structured, what work are they doing, how big are the grants that they are asking for, how do they intend to spend the dollars,” Yunker said. “That’s an important part of how you evaluate who you give your dollars to, making sure you understand how your dollars are actually going to work at that community level.”

Historically, under the leadership of founder Larry Bell, the brewery’s charitable contributions were focused primarily in Michigan. And while spending dollars locally remains a priority following Bell’s sale of the brewery, the brewery is looking to expand its footprint of its social and environmental work to reach different areas of the country where they can make a difference, Yunker said.

Related: Bell’s Brewery being bought by Australian company that purchased New Belgium Brewing in 2019

Bell sold the brewery in late 2021 to Australian-based Lion, a subsidiary of Japanese company Kirin, leading to a craft partnership between Bell’s New Belgium Brewing in Fort Collins, Colorado. New Belgium has a similar $1 per barrel program in place that has made over $30 million in charitable contributions to date.

“This was such an important component to solidify our work to make sure it goes on in perpetuity,” Yunker said. “It’s important for us to make those connections with nonprofits to really develop some of those relationships.

“We love arts and music, and Larry loves arts and music, and that will continue to be a component of it, but I think there are environmental and social pieces that are more pressing, if I’m being honest, in the world right now. And that’s really where I think you will see us driving a lot of our dollars moving forward.”

For more information or to apply, visit bellsbeer.com/inspired-giving.

Also on MLive:

Kalamazoo Public Safety chief accused of harassment, on leave, city says

Church, developer and city partner to bring 70 affordable senior apartments to Kalamazoo

Kalamazoo Growlers make history with playoff sweep over reigning Northwoods League champs

Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission.