Last Updated on February 19, 2026
At Howard Hanna Beverly-Hanks, we uplift our community by giving generously of our time and support. But we don’t want to limit our giving to the local causes closest to our hearts. Periodically, we gather for Karma Keg—a feel-good event where a night out with friends turns into real support for local nonprofits across Western North Carolina.
Which nonprofits? That’s up to the Karma Keg attendees.
Keep reading to see which WNC nonprofits have benefited from Karma Keg so far, and learn more below about how to #LiveWNC and attend an upcoming Karma Keg fundraising event.
Skip ahead! Find nonprofits in WNC near you:
- 6 nonprofits near Asheville
- 4 nonprofits near Hendersonville
- 1 nonprofit near Waynesville
- 2 nonprofits covering WNC and beyond
- Attend the next Karma Keg
- Live where you love!
6 nonprofits near Asheville
Asheville Community Theatre
Karma Keg Summer 2018 – Catawba Brewing Co. | Received $2,500
Asheville Community Theatre has been delighting audiences with high-quality performances for more than 70 years. That makes them the oldest continuously operating theater in Asheville and one of the oldest community theaters in the nation. You may recognize many of the names and faces that have worked at the theater over the years. For one, Charlton Heston (“The Ten Commandments”, “Planet of the Apes”) directed a season of the theater in 1947, just after it opened. Today, ACT continues to provide entertainment, enrichment, and education through the practices and celebration of theater.
35 E Walnut Street, Asheville | (828) 254-1320 | ashevilletheatre.org
Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC
Karma Keg Fall 2019 – Oskar Blues Brewing | Received $1,783
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Western North Carolina is our local branch of BBBS America. Their mission is to “ensure every child in WNC has an enjoyable, long-term relationship with a caring adult who believes in them and sees their potential.” The organization provides ongoing activities, training, and support services for both families and volunteers. And when children are matched with a “Big,” they gain a long-term role model. Bigs help their Littles achieve academic improvement, grow their self-confidence, and develop a variety of life skills.
50 S French Broad Avenue, Suite #213, Asheville | (828) 519-7353 | bbbswnc.org
Brother Wolf Animal Rescue
Karma Keg Fall 2017 – Hi-Wire Brewing Company | Received $1,800
Brother Wolf Animal Rescue was founded in 2007 to provide resources and life-saving programs to build a no-kill community, where no dogs or cats are killed for population control. They offer a low-cost mobile spay and neuter clinic, lifesaving shelter transfer partnerships, and extensive volunteer and foster networks. In addition to their adoption center, Brother Wolf operates a thrift store and retail store whose proceeds help fund lifesaving pet programs.
Asheville, NC | (828) 505-3440 | bwar.org
Homeward Bound of WNC
Karma Keg Spring 2019 – Ginger’s Revenge | Received $1,100
Homeward Bound is a housing support nonprofit dedicated to ending homelessness in Buncombe and Henderson Counties. Since 1988, they have moved more than 2,600 men, women, and children into safe, stable housing through the “Housing First” national best practice for ending homelessness. This model has been proven to be the most effective, cost-efficient, sustainable, and humane intervention to homelessness. Homeward Bound’s case management services provide support and resources to help maintain housing stability.
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 1166, Asheville | (828) 579-3479 | homewardboundwnc.org
La Esperanza
Karma Keg Fall 2025 – Homeplace Beer Co. | Received $1,925
La Esperanza (“hope”), hosted by the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit in Mars Hill, is an outreach program that serves 400+ individuals and Latino families in Madison, Buncombe, and Yancey counties. The majority are first and second generation immigrants from Chile, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. This ministry includes several components, including a health and wellness program, interpretation and translation services, economic assistance, and the “Unplugged” youth group and summer camp.
433 Bone Camp Road, Marshall | (828) 689‑2517 | laesperanza-wnc.org
Sunrise Community for Recovery and Wellness
Karma Keg Spring 2025 – Asheville Brewing Co. | Received $1,109
At Sunrise Community, Certified Peer Support Specialists provide health and wellness support to individuals struggling with trauma that often leads to homelessness, substance use, mental health issues, and/or justice involvement. The nonprofit Recovery Community Organization (RCO) is led and governed by those in the recovery community and their allies. They offer authentic peer support, resource navigation, harm reduction, education, and a pathway to employment at no cost. The organization’s staff connect with participants in an authentic, evidence-based way that removes stigma, reduces isolation, and lowers instances of incarceration, hospitalization, and recidivism.
46 Westgate Parkway #46, Asheville | (828) 552-3858 | sunriseinasheville.org
Live near the causes you love to support! Search homes for sale in Asheville.
4 nonprofits near Hendersonville
Blue Ridge Humane Society
Karma Keg Spring 2024 – Mills River Brewing | Received $1,700
Blue Ridge Humane Society serves the Hendersonville area through adoption, collaboration, and community education. Their mission is to reduce pet overpopulation and improve their quality of life through several ongoing programs and services. In addition to the adoption center, BRHS manages a spay/neuter incentive program (SNIP), pet helpline, training classes, and owner education. They also offer low-cost vaccines, community pet food assistance, and emergency vet assistance. Read more about BRHS.
88 Centipede Lane, Hendersonville | (828) 692-2639 | blueridgehumane.org
Charlie’s Angels Animal Rescue
Karma Keg Summer 2025 – Appalachian Mountain Brewing | Received $935
Charlie’s Angels is an animal-care nonprofit founded in 2009 to rescue animals from what was then Transylvania County’s high-kill animal shelter. In 2012, the nonprofit expanded its scope of services and opened Safe Haven, a no-kill shelter in Fletcher. They also expanded their service area in order to help rescue homeless, abandoned, and often neglected animals from shelters in surrounding counties. Today, they are one of the leading animal rescue groups in WNC, and operate without any government funding.
5526 Hendersonville Road, Fletcher | (828) 885-DOGS (3647) | charliesangelsanimalrescue.com
Smart Start Partnership for Children
Karma Keg Winter 2019 – Blue Ghost Brewing | Received $2,500
Smart Start Partnership for Children supports, educates, and advocates for strong foundations for young children in Hendersonville. They recognize that the first 2,000 days of a child’s life (before they begin kindergarten) are an important period of brain development. The foundation set during this time helps kids prepare for school, have higher graduation rates, and grow into productive citizens and valuable employees. Their many programs are designed to provide the opportunities children need to be successful in school and life. Read more about Smart Start.
525 N Justice Street, Hendersonville | (828) 693-1580 | smartstartpfc.org
WNC Toys for Tots
Karma Keg Summer 2024 – Trailside Brewing | Received $1,666
Western North Carolina Toys for Tots is a locally operated campaign of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Foundation, which serves the children of Western NC by providing Christmas assistance via toys to underprivileged families. All toys and monies collected by their campaign stay in the region to help children across WNC. In operation for more than 20 years, the local campaign covers Buncombe, Henderson, Madison, Polk, Transylvania, and Yancey counties.
3227 Hickory Hill Road, Hendersonville | (828) 388-0376 | wnctft-nc.toysfortots.org
Live near the causes you love to support! Search homes for sale in Hendersonville.
1 nonprofit near Waynesville
Broyhill Home
Karma Keg Fall 2018 – BearWaters Brewing | Received $2,000
Since 1971, the child-focused nonprofit Broyhill Home has served WNC as a residential facility for children from infancy to age 21. The 91-acre facility allows childcare workers to live with children in the cottage and provide daily support, encouragement, and direction. Additional services include emergency care, transitional living, after care, family foster care, and clarification/value change. Broyhill Home is one of several locations managed by Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina. Each location uses the Children And Residential Experiences (CARE) Model developed by Cornell University. Read more about Broyhill Home.
Western Area Family Services, 111 Sneed Drive, Clyde | (828) 627-9254 | broyhillhome.org
Live near the causes you love to support! Search homes for sale in Waynesville.
2 nonprofits covering WNC and beyond
F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Horse Rescue & Sanctuary
Karma Keg Spring 2018 – Sanctuary Brewing Company | Received $2,300
F.R.I.E.N.D.S. saves the lives of horses that are asymptomatic carriers of equine infectious anemia (EIA) from unnecessary euthanization and slaughter. They also manage a variety of outreach programs designed to prevent future equine neglect, abuse, and starvation.
Fort Lauderdale, FL | (954) 492-0168 | eiahorses.org
WNC Down Syndrome Alliance
Karma Keg Summer 2019 – Dry Falls Brewing | Received $2,000
WNC Down Syndrome Alliance is a regional nonprofit working to create a community that is educated, supportive, and inclusive of individuals with Down syndrome. The group hosts a number of annual events throughout the 17 counties of Western North Carolina. Events include the Buddy WalkⓇ, a camp enrichment program, family picnics, family support meetings, and the Flip Flop Hop. Each event is designed to promote the rights, abilities, and potential of people with Down syndrome, as well as to support the efforts of area affiliates who work with people with Down syndrome and their families.
Attend the next Karma Keg
Join us for Karma Keg in 2026! Come out, socialize, and help us raise money for great causes! With your support, we have the potential to raise significant funds for three worthy local nonprofits this year. Bring friends and other supporters of your favorite nonprofit to increase its chances of winning.
- April 2026 – Frog Level Brewing in Waynesville
- July 2026 – Appalachian Mountain Brewery in Mills River
- October 2026 – Location TBD
The idea for the events is simple: Make a suggested $10 donation, vote for a WNC-area nonprofit, receive a drink ticket, and choose a select craft beer in exchange for your support! Each person gets ONE voting card entry.
Come by anytime after 6:00 PM to enjoy great beverages and conversation. At 7:30 PM or when the beer keg kicks, we pull a nonprofit voting card out of the Karma Keg, and whichever local nonprofit is on the card wins the entire evening’s proceeds. To date, we’ve raised more than $23,500 for local nonprofits!
Learn more about Karma Keg and upcoming events at karmakeg828.com.
Live where you love in Western North Carolina!
At Howard Hanna Beverly-Hanks, we know it’s our local nonprofits and small businesses that help us live an active and modern mountain lifestyle. We encourage you to join us as we #LiveWNC.
This year, we have committed to sharing some of our favorite WNC locations, causes, and characters through a series of blog posts, including today’s post on nonprofit winners of Karma Keg funds. Return here throughout the year to learn more about local nonprofits, businesses, and business leaders that enhance our home and make it easy to live where you love, including:
- Performance Venues
- Top Chefs
- Golf
- Art Galleries
- Regional Trails
- Shopping Main Street
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