Long-time Central Oregon fundraising event will take a year off to
plan for an enhanced program in 2013
The Sagebrush Classic and Classic Feast, founded by Deschutes Brewery, have been serving the Central Oregon community for the past 23 years. In that time, more than $3,000,000 has been raised for Central Oregon nonprofit organizations that serve the community’s most urgent needs. For a variety of reasons, the Sagebrush Operating Board has decided to postpone holding another event until 2013.
“We have chosen to take the time to elevate the Sagebrush Classic to the caliber of event we know we can produce, one that is worthy of this great community and the causes it serves,” said Gary Fish, founder and president of Deschutes Brewery and the Sagebrush Classic. “This was a tough decision as we are all very attached to the Sagebrush Classic and what it has meant to our community. We look forward to making the event bigger and better in 2013.”
Last summer, the format of the 2011 Sagebrush was restructured by adding new events, encompassing a higher number of regional nonprofit organizations, and creating a formula for matching funds raised by participating organizations. The ambitious new format did not perform as successfully as hoped and the events actually lost money. Deschutes Brewery itself made up a substantial operating shortfall.
Deschutes Brewery will continue its charitable giving in 2012, donating $1 for every barrel to the community. In 2012, it is estimated that total funds, distributed through participation in nonprofit fundraising events and direct donations, will equal more than $220,000. Sagebrush will announce plans for its 2013 event in fall of next year.
For more information on Sagebrush, visit www.sagebrush.org.
