For almost a decade, the Portsmouth Brewery has provided funds, food and our facilities to numerous community organizations. It is one of the ways we can say thanks and give something back to the community that has given so much to us. This year, we have begun to change our approach to the donations we make in hopes of improving the process and getting our staff more involved.

If you belong to a community organization or are simply interested in the Brewery's philosophy towards giving, please read the faq's below. We welcome your questions and feedback. Click here to send us a note.

What is the Brewery Charity Committee? The Portsmouth Brewery's Charity Committee is a group of eight staff members and managers who are elected by our staff at large or selected by the brewery's owner. The Committee meets twice a year to review all requests for charitable contributions and to select recepients from among those requests.

Why a Charity Committee? Like many small businesses, the Brewery receives many requests for donations throughout the year. Although all these requests have merit, there are far more requests than there is money budgeted for charitable donations. As a result, some requests are honored and others not. In the past, this process has been somewhat arbitrary: oftentimes it has boiled down to a first-come first-served approach; at other times, it has been a matter of whose hands the requests are placed.

The Charity Committee was formed for two purposes. First, to approach these requests for contributions in a more organized, systematic way, and second, to empower members of the Portsmouth Brewery staff, making them responsible for a very important area of decisionmaking.

How is the Committee funded? In addition to monies that are normally budgeted for charitable contributions, the Committee's funds come from other specific fundraising promotions such as Community Pint Night.

How does Community Pint Night Work? It's simple. Every Tuesday night after five pm, for each pint of beer we sell, we place 25¢ into our Charity Committee's fund.

What is the Committee's annual budget? With the funds from Community Pint Nights, we estimate the annual budget to be approximately $5,000.

What criteria does the Committee use in its selection process? The Committee uses several criteria in its selection process: the merit of the request, impact on the community, overall need, and personal preferences of Committee members, among others.

When does the Committee meet? The Committee convenes twice a year, generally in March and September.

I'd like to solicit a charitable contribution from the Portsmouth Brewery for my organization. How do I do it? Please submit your request to the Brewery in writing (addressed to the attention of the BREWERY CHARITY COMMITTEE). Requests will be considered at the next scheduled Committee meeting.

Who was selected to receive funds from the Committee during its most recent meeting? During the July, 2004, meeting the Committee selected the following recipients ~

- Portsmouth Poet Laureate Program - brings poets, visuals artists, and musicians together in our community.
- CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates for Children) - helps abused and neglected children.
- Families First - a non-profit organization for the healthy development of all families through pre-natal services, health care, and family support center.
- New Heights - a Portsmouth based out-of-school program for disadvantaged youths 12-18 yrs old.
- Blue Ocean Society for Marine Conservation, for volunteer appreciation programs.
- Cocheco Valley Humane Society.
- Community Development Services - serves children and adults with development disabilities and brain injuries.
- St Charles Children's Home.

The Portsmouth Brewery - 56 Market Street - Portsmouth NH 03801 - (603) 431-1115