Nominations open now to apply for Sugarlands Shine “2015 Year of Giving”
Gatlinburg, Tenn. – Sugarlands Distilling Company is making 2015 its “Year of Giving” by launching MoonShare, a community works program which donates a portion of its proceeds to organizations that positively impact the community.
“We love giving back as much as we love making moonshine,” said Courtney DeLaura, national director of MoonShare for Sugarlands Distilling Company. “We want people across the U.S. to understand the mission of the MoonShare program, which is to shine a light on non-profit organizations seeking to better their communities. MoonShare seeks to share our support of non-profit organizations who believe in the same pursuit of camaraderie – supporting those in need and community building.”
The nomination window for non-profits to apply is open now through Nov. 15 via the distillery’s website – www.sugarlandsdistilling.com/stories-in-every-jar/moonshare/.
“Our mission during the 2015 Year of Giving is to provide monetary donations to 12 elected non-profits, one each month,” said DeLaura. ”We’re thrilled to finally launch this incredible program and share it with communities everywhere. Online nomination forms are now available for any qualifying 501(c)3 non-profit organization to complete.”
After all nominations have been received, the MoonShare team will narrow down applicants to the Top 50 finalists which will be announced Dec. 1. Those top 50 non-profits will be given four weeks to get their campaign in order to move on to Round Two – an online voting portion of the “MoonShare Year of Giving” campaign via Facebook which is open to the public and runs Dec. 31, 2014 through Jan. 31, 2015.
On Feb. 1, 2015 Sugarlands Distilling Company will notify the top 12 non-profits who receive the most votes. Each of the Top 12 organizations will receive a $5,000 MoonShare grant and will be highlighted for a specific “Month to Shine” in 2015. Those 12 organizations also will have the opportunity to partner with other MoonShare programs and will be featured on the Sugarlands Distilling Company website and social media platforms.
“For us, the complete moonshine experience includes being good stewards of our profits in order to spread a philanthropic message to everyone who opens a jar of our shine,” said DeLaura. “Corporate social responsibility is of the utmost importance to everyone who works at Sugarlands Distilling Company. Our company was built upon the example of early settlers to the Sugarlands area of the Great Smoky Mountains. These small communities of people supported each other and gave a hand when needed. We look forward to doing the same for friends near and far.”
Although Sugarlands Distilling Company opened its doors in March 2014, the company has already immersed itself in local communities across the Southeast. Currently, Sugarlands Shine can be found in Tennessee, South Carolina, Kentucky, Indiana, West Virginia, North Carolina and Florida with plans to be in every state by mid-2015.
For more information about MoonShare or how to apply for funds, visit www.sugarlandsdistilling.com or call (865) 325-1355.
Share the great news about MoonShare with the following Tweet: @SugarlandsShine opens nominations for #MoonShare program to U.S. non-profits at www.sugarlandsdistilling.com #sipsup #nonprofit #grant
About Sugarlands Distilling Company
Sugarlands Distilling Company is a producer of craft quality moonshine and whiskey and is also a popular attraction in downtown Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Inside the distillery, guests can taste free samples of authentic Sugarlands Shine, take a behind-the-scenes tour of the production, and purchase a variety of moonshine flavors, mountain merchandise, and apparel. To enhance their experience, guests can enjoy live music, Appalachian storytelling, and book outdoor adventure tours in the Sugarlands, an area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park historically referred to as “moonshiners’ paradise.” The company is East Tennessee-owned, with a focus on bettering the local community through a variety of events and charitable giving. Sugarlands Distilling Company’s phased strategic distribution strategy will be supported through a partnership with TAG USA, one of the most respected beverage marketing/sales organizations in the country. Twitter: @SugarlandsShine.