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Bourbon and charity go hand-in-hand. There has been millions of dollars raised thanks to donations and the willingness of others to purchase for a good cause. However, doing it legally is not an easy task. I invited Eric Clemens and Kenny Rambo of Give 270 on the show to talk about being legit. They started Give 270 by raffling rare bourbons in Elizabethtown, Kentucky to raise money for local charities. Their mission is to make participation affordable and fun through bourbon raffles. This model has proven successful, but required getting licensed for charitable gaming. The founders discuss how they transitioned from a 501C3 nonprofit to operating legally, as well as how they source rare bourbons, select beneficiary charities, do real paper raffles, and handle taxes. While rewarding, they note challenges in navigating regulations and finding inventory amidst secondary market demand.

Show Notes:

• Above the Char with Fred Minnick (@fredminnick) talks about single barrels not being regulated.
• Why did you all want to start doing alcohol reform in Elizabethtown, KY?
• What was the mission behind Give270?
• Do you feel the success of raffles are because of the secondary market?
• How did you move from a 501C3 to getting a charitable gaming license?
• Does the pool get bigger by having a raffle versus an auction?
• Do you really cut up names on a piece of paper and put them in a tumbler?
• Has there ever been a situation where you are underwater on a raffle?
• How do you discover and choose the charities you work with?
• What are the biggest challenges of trying to do all this the legal way?
• Are people letting you buy from their private collections?
• What sort of taxes are involved?
• Is there anything about the current system you would change?

Give 270 recently presented a check for $35,000 to United Way of Central Kentucky from a recent Whiskey Wednesdays raffle series.

United Way of Central Kentucky solves complex and costly community challenges by forging partnerships and mobilizing resources to find new solutions to old problems that not one organization can address alone. Serving Hardin, Breckinridge, Grayson, LaRue and Meade Counties, United Way of Central Kentucky invites you to change the odds for residents across the region.

“We give our heartfelt thanks to Give 270 for their generous donation. With this funding, we will provide essential support to local organizations with immediate needs through our Community Investment Mini-Grants program,” said a spokesperson from UWCK.

To learn more about UWCK and their work in our community, visit: unitedwayck.org/

Give 270 recently presented a check for $65,468.76 to Honor Flight Bluegrass from funds raised in the latest Bourbon Strong 50-4-50 raffle. The funds raised included a $10,000 contribution from Veterans United Foundation.

Honor Flight Bluegrass’s sole mission is to fly our heroes to Washington, DC to visit their respective memorials and reflect upon their service, sacrifices, and memories. To learn more about Honor Flight Bluegrass, visit: honorflightbluegrass.org.

Give 270 recently donated $8,000 to the Louisville Metro Police Foundation to benefit the family of Louisville Metro Police Department officer Nick Wilt, who was severely injured while responding to the mass shooting that occurred April 10 at Old National Bank in downtown Louisville. 

The donation was made possible through a collaboration between Give 270, North Hardin Wine & Spirits and Mammoth Liquors in which bottles of an exclusive bourbon store pick of Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey called Protect and Serve #1 were sold to benefit Wilt’s family. Store owners Rob Fogle and Eric Hall partnered with Give 270 to promote reservations of the limited release bottles, which featured a Thin Blue Line decal. 

“When we heard about the tragedy back in April and the bravery of the first responders on the scene, we wanted to help in any way we could,” Fogle said. “We are grateful to partner with Give 270 to support the family of officer Wilt, who is a true hero.”

Wilt, who was on his fourth-ever shift with LMPD, was one of the first officers on the scene during the April 10 shooting. He was shot in the head and rushed to University Hospital for brain surgery. After being in critical condition for weeks and battling pneumonia, Wilt was released from the Frazier Rehabilitation Institute to go home in July. Last month, LMPD shared an update from Wilt’s family indicating that he is in outpatient therapy and is “doing well.” 

“Officer Wilt’s journey to recovery is truly inspiring and we are honored to contribute to such a worthy cause,” said Eric Clemens, Board Chair for Give 270. 

Donation marks $1 million designated to community organizations since nonprofit’s inception

Elizabethtown, Kentucky-based nonprofit Give 270 has announced that it has donated 48 LifeVac School Kits, which are anti-choking medical devices, to schools within the Hardin, Meade and LaRue county communities. LifeVac is a non-powered single-patient portable suction device developed for clearing an upper airway, intended to be used in an emergency when standard current choking protocol has been followed without success.

“We at Give 270 are proud of the public-private partnerships we are able to establish for the benefit of area individuals,” said Eric Clemens, Board Chair for Give 270. “Because of the support we receive from those who participate in our charitable fundraising initiatives, we are able to have fantastic outcomes such as this one.” 

According to information from LifeVac’s website, over 1,725 schools have LifeVacs on-hand to prepare for the event of a choking emergency. In June, the company celebrated 1,000 lives saved by LifeVac devices. LifeVac technology is designed to be easily used by anyone without specific skills or training and can even be used on oneself.

“Because of this donation, the parents of students throughout our school system can have the peace of mind of knowing their child would be safe in the unfortunate event of a choking emergency,” said John Wright, Community Relations Director for Hardin County Schools. “We are again, deeply appreciative of Give 270 and their generous support.”

With the donation, Give 270 has now officially designated over $1 million to community organizations and initiatives since its formation in 2016. The nonprofit raises funds through charitable gaming initiatives such as the weekly Whiskey Wednesdays raffles and specialty Bourbon Strong raffles, along with special events such as the annual comedy variety show, The Eric & Joe Show. 

Give 270 is currently hosting its biggest-ever raffle: Lightning N’ a Bottle. The raffle will feature an assortment of valuable bourbon prizes and, subject to the number of tickets sold, an opportunity to win the ultimate grand prize: a 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Lariat Long Range and a bottle of Weller Full Proof (to be enjoyed separately). 

The raffle will also offer a total of 49 additional bourbon prizes, including a Buffalo Trace Antique Collection five-bottle set, a Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve 23 year and many more. 

Made possible in part through the support of sponsor Lightsource bp, proceeds from the raffle will benefit Baptist Health Foundation Hardin and the Elizabethtown Community and Technical College Foundation. With future electric vehicles from Ford and Lincoln relying on batteries manufactured in Hardin County at the upcoming BlueOval SK Battery Park, the Lightning N’ a Bottle raffle not only celebrates a vital component of the region’s economic future but also provides support to crucial community organizations.

“This is a significant milestone for our nonprofit and we are deeply appreciative of everyone who has helped us get here over the past seven years,” said Give 270 co-founder Kenny Rambo. “Over the years, our engagement has significantly increased, especially among those who participate in our charitable gaming events. Because of this, we believe and are excited to say that our next $1 million in support of crucial community organizations and initiatives will come much sooner than the first.” 

Give 270 recently donated $26,500 to Saint James Catholic School to support their education efforts. The donation was made possible through proceeds from a Bourbon Strong raffle hosted by Give 270 in the spring.  

“We are so grateful to Give 270 and John and Leigh Ann Lewis for including SJS in another bourbon raffle this past spring. The raffle helps us to continue to provide the best Catholic education in the region,” said a spokesperson for the school.

To learn more about Saint James Catholic School, visit sjschoolonline.org. To stay up-to-date on raffles and events hosted by Give 270, visit give270.org. 

Give 270 recently donated $74,000 to the Coaches for the Kids Foundation (CFTKF) in support of the Kentucky Children’s Hospital in Lexington. The donation was made possible through proceeds from a Bourbon Strong + Kentucky Strong raffle hosted by Give 270 in August. 

CFTKF is a charitable, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to creating partnerships to support the Kentucky Children’s Hospital. Through community partnerships and through an annual fundraising event, CFTKF has raised over $2 million for the hospital.

Give 270 previously partnered with CFTKF in support of the Kentucky Children’s Hospital through a Bourbon Strong + Kentucky Strong raffle in September of 2022.  

“Through the power of community and the spirit of giving, we at Give 270 are honored to stand alongside Coaches for the Kids in once again supporting the Kentucky Children’s Hospital,” said Eric Clemens, Board Chair for Give 270 and board member for CFTKF. “Our donation is a testament to the impact we can achieve when we come together for a common cause, and we look forward to continuing our partnership to make a difference in the lives of children and families in need.

To learn more about CFTKF and the Kentucky Children’s Hospital, visit coachesforthekids.org. To stay up-to-date on raffles and events hosted by Give 270, visit give270.org. 

Local nonprofit Give 270 has announced details for the latest round of the weekly Whiskey Wednesdays charity bourbon raffle series. Whiskey Wednesdays Round 8 – Aged 22 Years will kick off Wednesday, July 12 and all proceeds from the raffles will benefit United Way of Central Kentucky (UWCK). This year, UWCK celebrates 22 years of providing support for community organizations and programs that address education, financial stability, and health and basic needs in the local region. 

“We are proud to partner with Give 270 to raise essential funds for nonprofits in our region,” said Joe Fowler, president of UWCK. “Through proceeds from this raffle, we will provide essential funding to local organizations with immediate needs through our Community Investment Mini-Grants program, which provides grants up to $5,000 for nonprofit organizations in our five-county service region.”

UWCK’s Mini-Grants Program supports ongoing community projects and initiatives that may occur outside the organization’s traditional funding structure. The mini grant process allows local nonprofits and school districts to request support for small projects on an as-needed basis. 

Most recently, the program has provided resources for three ADA-compliant raised garden beds in Leitchfield for the Breckinridge Grayson Programs, Inc. Head Start and Early Head Start programs, as well as restocking of hygiene blessing boxes for families utilizing the Cloverport Independent School Family Resource and Youth Services Center (FRYSC). 

Through the raffles, participants will have a chance to win five bourbon prizes, including a grand prize featuring two or three bottles with age statements totaling 22 years hidden behind 11  locker doors, and the final week’s door will feature a bottle of Pappy Van Winkle 23-year. At checkout, ticket purchasers will select one door and if their ticket is drawn, they will win whichever set is behind the chosen door. Some of the prizes hidden by the locker doors include Van Winkle Special Reserve 12-year, Old Rip Van Winkle 10-year, Old Forester Birthday Bourbon, Old Fitzgerald Bottled in Bond 16-year and more. 

In addition, four bonus prizes will be given away each week, including 2XO Innkeeper’s Blend, Elijah Craig Barrel Proof, Wild Turkey 101 8-year and Pursuit United Toasted. 

Raffles will take place on Give 270’s Facebook page and YouTube channel each Wednesday at 8 p.m. from July 12 through Sept. 27.

“This round of Whiskey Wednesdays is not only a chance to win exceptional bourbon, but also an opportunity to support United Way of Central Kentucky’s remarkable 22-year commitment to our community,” said Eric Clemens, Board Chair for Give 270. 

Tickets for Whiskey Wednesdays Round 8 – Aged 22 Years are now on sale. Priced at $5 each, there is no limit to the amount of tickets purchased per individual each week. 

To purchase tickets and stay up-to-date on raffles and events hosted by Give 270, visit give270.org.

Today, Give 270 made a $3,500 donation to Opal’s Dream Foundation made possible through the June 21st Whiskey Wednesdays Bourbon Raffles.

Opal’s Dream Foundation restores dignity, respect and joy to seniors in long-term care. We celebrate and enrich their lives through a variety of programs which provide mobility assistance, provision of basic needs, quality of life improvements, recreation, and socialization opportunities, engagement with the arts, companionship and denomination spiritual support.

Now serving thousands of seniors in 100+ nursing homes across 51 cities in Kentucky and Indiana!

After a brief week off to celebrate the 4th of July, Give 270 will be back with Whiskey Wednesdays Round 8 | Aged 22 years benefiting United Way of Central Kentucky and another Bourbon Strong 50-4-50 benefiting Coaches for the Kids Foundation in support of Kentucky Children’s Hospital.

Weekly $5 tickets for Whiskey Wednesdays go on sale July 5th and $100 tickets for this Bourbon Strong go on sale July 19th. To receive email reminders complete the form below.