Despite event disruptions and scheduling changes due to the pandemic, the festival creatively continued fundraising for local non-profits in fiscal year 2021-2022. This incredible philanthropic achievement was revealed at a check presentation this evening.
Cincinnati International Wine Festival Fundraising
CINCINNATI – September 13, 2022 –The Cincinnati International Wine Festival announced tonight that it has now raised more than $6.75 million in total for local non-profits since its inception 31 years ago. The festival also presented $261,000 in donations to 31 Greater Cincinnati organizations benefiting from the festival’s fundraising efforts over the 2021-2022 fiscal year, totaling $520,000.
The announcements were made at a private, invitation-only event at the Kenwood Country Club earlier this evening. Leaders from the benefiting organizations were present, and each received a portion of the festival’s donation in the form of individual checks presented to each charity.
“It is such a joy for us to be able to say we have now raised more than $6.75 million for our local charitable beneficiaries focused on our community’s arts, education, health and human services,” said Connie Wiles, Cincinnati International Wine Festival Board President. “Like all non-profits, we struggled through the challenges of the pandemic, but remained dedicated to doing whatever we could to ensure our mission to celebrate the wine industry and give back to our community continued on no matter what. We are grateful for the support of wine lovers near and far, and sincerely thank every single person who attended our amazing festival events this year. Thank you for giving back one glass at a time!”
Cincinnati International Wine Festival Details
The Cincinnati International Wine Festival is a non-profit organization founded in 1991 to celebrate the wine industry and raise funds for charities focused on the arts, education, health and human services. The annual celebration is recognized as one of the Midwest’s largest and most prestigious festivals.
Like many charitable causes, the pandemic has had a significant impact on the festival’s ability to regularly host its events the past three years, making this fundraising achievement even more impressive.
The Cincinnati International Wine Festival is comprised of five prominent annual events: an international wine competition, a winery dinner series, grand tastings at the Duke Energy Convention Center, and a charity auction and luncheon, all of which were held in May rather than March for the first time ever this past year due to Covid concerns. The Russ Wiles Memorial Golf Tournament will be held this October.
Proceeds from these annual activities translate into significant funds raised which are then granted to the wine festival’s local charitable beneficiaries on an annual basis.
In 2023, the wine festival expects to return to its usual schedule, with the bulk of its events being held in March. Save the date for the 32nd annual festival, which is set for March 9-11, 2023. Learn more at winefestival.com.
About the Cincinnati International Wine Festival
The Cincinnati International Wine Festival is a Cincinnati-based 501(c)(3) organization established to raise funds for local charities through the celebration of the wine industry. It typically features 700 wines from 100 wineries across the globe, all for a great cause. The festival benefits 30+ Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky arts, education, and health and human services charities, and has been giving back to the community since 1991. The patronage and support of the Greater Cincinnati community enables the festival to continue giving back locally, one glass at a time. Learn more at winefestival.com.
