A bourbon night that starts with Pappy Van Winkle and ends with purpose doesn’t happen by accident. We pulled back the curtain on how a fourth-year charity tasting in Bentonville raised around $100,000 while keeping the room small, the music live, and the vibe unmistakably warm. From a honey-finished Buffalo Trace that opened up with a few drops of water to VIP bottles at every seat, every detail was designed to turn great pours into generous bids without feeling pushy.

We brought in Scotty Hasting, an up-and-coming Nashville artist and veteran who rebuilt his musicianship after being wounded, and his story anchored the night. That through-line, craft meeting resilience, connected the tasting to the cause in a way slides never could. The auction stayed fresh with experiential lots: a bourbon locker concept, custom art, private tastings, and a dessert twist that stole the show; salted caramel bourbon vanilla ice cream made from donated bottles, offered both as a sweet finish and a “name-your-flavor” auction prize.

Behind the scenes, we refined mechanics that guests actually feel. Pre-poured one-ounce bottles replaced chaotic table pours, turning the lineup into a guided journey. Catering served food hot and flavorful, bartenders handled classics for non-tasters, and our hosts opened a barn that guests never wanted to leave. Demand spiked, tables spoken for months ahead and last-minute calls asking for any spare tickets, which raised the big question: how do we grow impact without growing headcount? Our plan: keep the room intimate, add a small silent auction and a low-barrier door raffle, and test a pre-party with a single rare bottle and simple food to prime the pump.

If you care about bourbon, community, veterans, or the craft of running a high-trust fundraiser, you’ll find a playbook here: lead with a showstopper, tell a real story, obsess over small moments, and keep the numbers transparent. 

Subscribe, share this with a bourbon-loving friend, and leave a quick review with your favorite pour of the night. Your feedback shapes the lineup, and helps us raise even more for those who served.

More About this Episode

The Secret to Building a Standout Fundraising Event: Behind the Scenes of Gentsgiving in Bentonville

There’s a reason people keep saying Gentsgiving is the best event in Northwest Arkansas. And after our fourth year hosting this signature bourbon-fueled fundraiser, it's clear we've built something more than just a night of sipping bourbon and raising money. We’ve created a vibe. A movement. A gathering that blends community, craftsmanship, and cause, and keeps people coming back, excited for more.

As someone who's been part of this event from the beginning (when, yes, things were a little rough), I can say confidently: the 4th annual Gentsgiving marked a turning point. It wasn’t just bigger or better, it was more meaningful, more refined, and more unforgettable than any of the three before.

Let me take you behind the scenes of what made this year's event so special, and the lessons we’ve learned about building a standout fundraising experience that doesn’t just meet expectations, it blows them out of the water.

$100,000 Raised: The Power of Purpose

Let’s start with the big number: over $100,000 in net proceeds raised this year for our charitable causes. That’s no small feat for a grassroots event organized by a group of eight community volunteers. And we’re proud to say that not only was this number up from last year, but every dollar was raised transparently, with intentionality, and with deep respect for those giving their time and money.

A big part of that success? We didn’t just rely on big-ticket auction items or corporate sponsors. We focused on creating value at every level, whether it was someone spending $25 on a raffle or $7,000 on a one-of-a-kind bourbon experience.

We leaned into purpose-driven fundraising. When you build a night that people feel personally invested in, when they can see and feel the impact of their dollars, generosity naturally follows.

A Unique Atmosphere: The Anti-Gala Gala

Let’s be honest: most charity events start to feel the same. Big ballroom. Chicken dinner. Raffle tickets and dry speeches.

Gentsgiving is none of that. It's an experience built around community, storytelling, and an unshakable love for bourbon.

From the rustic charm of Mike and Melodie Hodges’ iconic barn, which feels more like a cozy holiday gathering than a fundraising venue, to the intimate tasting setup with pre-poured one-ounce bourbon samples, we’ve curated every element of the night with intentionality.

Guests didn’t rush out after the main event. They stayed. They hung out in the loft sipping rare bourbons. They laughed with new friends and toasted old ones. Some even stuck around for late-night jam sessions thanks to our incredible live music lineup.

It’s this intimacy, this vibe, that sets us apart. People walk away feeling like they were part of something exclusive, meaningful, and deeply fun. And that’s why the event sells out months in advance.

Bourbon with a Story: The Tastings That Spark Conversation

We’ve always said the bourbon is the hook, not the whole show. But still, what a hook.

Each year, our curated bourbon tasting lineup becomes more impressive. This year, we kicked things off with a statement: Pappy Van Winkle as our first pour. For the uninitiated, starting with a Pappy is like opening a concert with your biggest hit, and we did it unapologetically.

Every pour that followed was chosen for flavor, rarity, and the story behind it. And this year, thanks to the expertise and independent guidance of our in-house bourbon educator, Russ, the lineup was more thoughtful than ever.

Even better? We transitioned from live pours to pre-filled, labeled bottles for each guest. This one shift dramatically streamlined the tasting experience. It gave people the flexibility to sip at their own pace, revisit pours later, or even take them home. And more importantly, it let us spend more time connecting, not pouring.

More Than Bourbon: Music, Ice Cream, and Meaningful Moments

One of the highlights this year? The live performance from Scotty Hasting, an up-and-coming Nashville recording artist and U.S. veteran. Scotty’s story, recovering from injuries in Afghanistan, teaching himself to play guitar during COVID, and now performing at events like ours, brought depth and purpose to the night.

He didn’t just play a set. He shared his journey, and reminded us all why we give back. That sense of authenticity is what we strive for every year.

Other standout additions this year included:

  • Locally made bourbon-infused ice cream by Honeybean, served during dessert and auctioned as a VIP item (it raised $1,200!).
  • Unique auction experiences, like “Ladies’ Night Out” with Blakeman’s, Ruth’s Chris, and private car service, curated specifically to make women feel welcome and seen at a traditionally male-dominated event.
  • A new dessert bourbon aged in honey oak barrels for 33 days, which became an instant favorite and sparked ideas for next year’s pairings.

Scaling Without Losing the Soul

With this year’s momentum, people are already asking: “How do you top it?”

And truthfully, we don’t want to just go bigger. We want to go deeper.

Sure, we could add 50 more guests. But part of what makes Gentsgiving so special is the intimacy, the feeling that you’re at a friend’s private event, not a corporate gala. So instead of growing wide, we’re planning to grow smart:

  • Adding silent auction items so people who prefer to give quietly can still participate meaningfully.
  • Offering $25 raffle entries for high-end bottles, opening up accessibility for those who can’t drop thousands but still want to contribute.
  • Pre-event bourbon tastings or VIP mixers that build buzz, connection, and an extra layer of community (thanks for volunteering your house, Rob).

Why It Works: A Team Built on Trust and Talent

None of this would be possible without our incredible eight-person planning team. Every person on this crew brings something different, from logistics and sponsorships to social media and auction curation, and we’re intentional about letting people lead in their lane.

A special shoutout to Emily, the beating heart behind the operations. While she downplays her role, make no mistake, she’s the orchestrator behind every moving part. From vendor coordination to design decisions to day-of execution, she treats this like a full-time job (on top of her actual full-time job). And it shows.

We also owe thanks to:

  • Mike and Melodie Hodges for generously donating their barn space every year
  • Catering Concepts for delivering consistently exceptional meals
  • Sue and the Tie 1 On bartending team for keeping drinks flowing
  • Grazed Board Catering Co. for the jaw-dropping charcuterie
  • Lisa Boris, David, Elena, Mega, and everyone else on the committee who gave their time, skills, and energy

Looking Ahead to Gentsgiving 2026

While we’re still locking in dates (we’re “smart penciling” in November 12), one thing’s for sure: Gentsgiving 2026 will build on everything we’ve learned so far.

We’ll keep crafting an experience that blends fun with purpose, bourbon with generosity, and authenticity with community. Whether you’re a first-time guest or a four-year veteran, we promise a night you won’t forget.

And for those of you already asking how to get involved: yes, we’ll have tables, VIP sponsorships, and raffle opportunities. And yes, we’re a 501(c)(3), so your donations are tax-deductible. More info coming soon.

Final Thoughts

What makes Gentsgiving different isn’t just the bourbon, the music, or the auction items, though those are incredible.

It’s the intention.

Every element of this night is built with care, love, and a shared belief that when the community shows up for a cause, magic happens.

So here’s to the crew, the crowd, and the cause. We’re already raising our glass to next year.