11/24/25: PORTLAND, ME – Maine’s acclaimed craft brewery, Bissell Brothers, is proud to launch its eighth annual Four Weeks of Giving initiative, a month-long program dedicated to supporting Maine-based nonprofits during the holiday season. Since the program began in 2017, Bissell Brothers has donated $111,000 to community organizations across the state, raised entirely through 100% of their draft beer sales on select Sundays each December.
What started as a simple idea – blending community initiative with the camaraderie of the holidays – has grown into a meaningful annual tradition for the brewery. Each year, Bissell Brothers selects four mission-driven organizations serving communities across Maine. The nonprofits chosen vary from year to year and aim to represent a broad range of causes statewide. On their designated Sunday, each organization is invited to table in the Bissell Brothers’ taproom, giving guests the opportunity to learn more about their work, raise extra funds, and build awareness. Additionally, monetary donations will be accepted throughout the duration of this year’s Four Weeks of Giving. Every draft beer purchased on each Sunday helps their goal towards a bigger donation.
This year’s Four Weeks of Giving lineup features four organizations serving wildlife, community empowerment, youth outdoor access, and food security:
Week 1 / Sunday Nov. 30: Skybird Wildlife Center
Week 2 / Sunday Dec. 7: Presente! Maine
Week 3 / Sunday Dec. 14: Teens to Trails
Week 4 / Sun. Dec 21: Wayside Food Programs
To further support Wayside, and in response to recent funding cuts affecting food aid programs, Bissell Brothers held an internal food drive and fundraising effort from November 6-19, collecting a pallet’s worth of donations.
The Four Weeks of Giving program reflects a long-standing belief at Bissell Brothers that local businesses should play an active role in giving back to the communities that support them. The initiative has become a cornerstone of the brewery’s December calendar, rallying taproom guests, staff, and partner organizations around a shared goal of year-end support.
“Four Weeks of Giving started as a way for us to show appreciation for the community that allows us to do what we do,” said Hester Bissell, Stewardship Coordinator and Co-Owner of Bissell Brothers. “Eight years later, it’s grown into one of the most meaningful parts of our year. We’re honored to uplift these organizations and help support the essential work they do across Maine, especially during the holiday season.”
Join Bissell Brothers in giving back this holiday season:
Gather For Good Every draft pour enjoyed at Bissell Brothers on Sundays between Nov. 24 and Dec. 21 directly contributes to the four featured nonprofits.
Support Local Non-Profits Learn more from each organization as they table in the taproom on their highlighted Sunday.
Keep the Momentum Going Monetary donations for the effort will remain active throughout the month every day of the week, extending opportunities to give.
Guests are invited to participate throughout the month at the brewery’s taproom on Thompson’s Point in Portland, Maine.
QUICK FACTS:
- Four Weeks of Giving launched in 2017
- $111,000 donated to Maine nonprofits since the program’s inception
- 100% of Sunday draft sales (plus any additional monetary donations) are tallied each week to be split evenly amongst each organization
- Additional internal food drive for Wayside gathered a pallet’s worth of donations
- 2025 Beneficiaries: Skybird Wildlife Center, Presente! Maine, Teens to Trails, and Wayside Food Programs
