euphoria has provided a feast of funding for local nonprofits
Greenville’s local food, music, and wine festival, euphoria, is not just a celebration of these sensory pleasures but also an embodiment of a mission that matters. This fall, as it has for the past 19 years, euphoria offered an outpouring of support for local nonprofits through its nonprofit organization, Local Boys Do Good (LBDG).
From then to now: the growth of euphoria
According to Morgan Allen, Executice Director of euphoria, the festival began with a humble vision. Local restauranteur Carl Sobocinski and musician Edward McCain wanted to create an event that would not only promote Greenville but also give back to the community. From the initial funding of about $20,000 for local charities in its inaugural year in 2006, euphoria has grown significantly over the years, marking an economic impact of $4.8 million in 2022.
The festival’s considerable growth over the years has allowed it to provide funding in record amounts. In 2024, eight local nonprofits were awarded grants totaling $103,000, all in alignment with LBDG’s mission to support those in need, promote education through music or performing arts, aid children, and lend a supportive hand to the food and beverage industry through mental health support and emergency financial assistance.
The legacy goes beyond financial assistance
But euphoria’s support for the local community goes beyond just providing financial aid. It also offers a platform for grantees to raise awareness about their cause through the Feast by the Field, one of euphoria’s signature events. In addition, events are held throughout the year aimed at uplifting the local community.
One such initiative involves a partnership with Greenville County Schools in the Healthy Lunchtime Throwdown, a competition that allows young chefs to team up with Michelin-starred chefs. The victor gets their dish added to the school district’s lunch menu, a potentially formative moment in these future chefs’ culinary careers.
2024 euphoria Grant Recipients
The 2024 round of grants was awarded to a diverse range of causes:
- A Child’s Haven: Providing breakfast, lunch, and snacks for preschool children with developmental delays.
- Feed & Seed: Facilitating access to fresh produce for Upstate families through Fresh Food Box programs.
- Giving Kitchen: Offering emergency assistance to food service workers facing unanticipated crises.
- Greenville Symphony Orchestra: Creating live orchestral experiences for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and other neurodevelopmental differences through “Movers, Shakers, and Noisemakers”.
- Mill Village Farms: Providing healthy, nutritious foods and nutritional education to low-income families and children through their FoodShare program.
- Southern Smoke Foundation: Providing emergency relief funding and access to mental health services to food and beverage workers.
- Upstate Warrior Solution: A Therapeutic Art program that teaches healthy coping and mindfulness skills to children of veterans or first responders.
- Walt’s Waltz: Organizing recipe book workshops that celebrate cultural diversity and promote intergenerational connections through shared meals.
To learn more about euphoria and how you can support their mission, visit euphoriagreenville.com.
