Lawson’s Finest Liquids Celebrates GivingTuesday with $76,000 in Charitable Contributions

In a spirit of generosity and community, Lawson’s Finest Liquids commemorates GivingTuesday by donating a substantial $76,000 to 52 nonprofit organizations through its impactful Sip of Support program. This year's contributions, with amounts reaching up to $5,000, span a diverse array of causes across Vermont, including sustainable recreation, mental health support, BIPOC community development, individuals with disabilities, senior services and more.

“Every year on GivingTuesday, we are proud to support so many impactful Vermont nonprofits to help them achieve their missions,” says Lawson’s Finest Liquids’ Social Impact Program Manager Carra Cheslin. “Sip of Support allows us to give back to communities across Vermont and help fuel critical services and programs supporting all Vermonters.”

Among the notable recipients of this year’s GivingTuesday donations are organizations such as Hannah’s House, Mad River Path, Capstone Community Action’s Fuel Your Neighbor Campaign, Downstreet Housing, Vermont Professionals of Color Network, All Brains Belong VT and Vermont Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

To mark GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to generosity and community, Lawson’s Finest Liquids proudly announces the beneficiaries of its 2024 Sunshine Fund. The Sunshine Fund, along with the Sip of Support, represents two of Lawson’s Finest Liquids' five Social Impact Program (SIP) initiatives. The brewery’s SIP initiatives are designed to forge meaningful connections, strengthen communities, and create memorable experiences. With a cumulative donation surpassing $2 million since 2018, Lawson’s Finest continues its commitment to social impact.

The staff at Lawson’s Finest Liquids’ Waitsfield destination taproom enjoys a comprehensive compensation package. In lieu of traditional tipping, guests are invited to contribute to the Sunshine Fund, supporting local nonprofits and charitable organizations. Each Sunshine Fund awardee becomes a temporary “on-tap” partner for two weeks, receiving 100 percent of donations during that period. Notable organizations among the 2024 Sunshine Fund recipients include Girls on the Run VT, Green Mountain Farm-to-School, Friends of the Winooski River, Vermont Adult Learning, Children’s Literacy Foundation, VT Center for Independent Living, Vermont Energy Education Program, Committee on Temporary Shelter, Lamoille Housing Partnership, Northeast Kingdom Community Action, and Unlikely Riders.

Sunshine Fund awardees and recipients of this year’s GivingTuesday donations are selected based on their focus on healthy communities, food and economic security, natural resource protection, and sustainable recreation in the Green Mountains. While the total GivingTuesday donation amount in 2023 is slightly smaller than the previous year, it reflects Lawson’s Finest’s significant contributions to Vermont Strong efforts earlier in the year. The brewery directed approximately $40,000 towards relief efforts for those affected by the Brave Little State’s summer floods, including all proceeds from the specially brewed Vermont Strong Pale Ale.

“Vermont is home to an incredible community of people,” said Lawson’s Finest co-founder Karen Lawson. “We feel very supported here and it’s ingrained in our DNA to not only brew delicious beer but to do it in a way that allows us to give back to the community we love.”

The Lawson’s Finest team urges individuals to be the sunshine in their own communities by participating in GivingTuesday—whether through volunteering, making monetary donations to local causes, raising awareness or supporting local businesses.