Classic Wines Foundation

What Classic Wines Foundation does

Classic Wines Foundation is a Portland, Oregon-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (legal entity: First Growth Children and Family Charities, Inc.) that raises funds for vulnerable children and families by producing premium wine and culinary experiences. Originally launched in 1982 as a small wine auction for Metropolitan Family Service and spun off in 2005 into the independent Classic Wines Auction, Inc., the organization rebranded in March 2021 to Classic Wines Foundation to expand beyond the annual auction and broaden programmatic reach. Core revenue-generating products are event-based: the flagship annual Salon de Vin gala ($1,000-$1,250 per ticket at Amaterra Winery), intimate Winemaker Dinners ($175-$195 per person), educational wine tasting events (~$100 per person), and corporate sponsorship packages, complemented by online ticket and auction sales through ejoinme.org and Greater Giving. Donor revenue is also generated through financial donations and in-kind wine contributions that supply 250+ silent and live auction packages annually. The go-to-market is event-driven, targeting Portland-area wine enthusiasts, business leaders, and corporate sponsors, with marketing executed across owned digital channels (website, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, email newsletter) and earned media coverage in Wine Spectator, Portland Monthly, and Oregon Wine Press. Funds raised flow as unrestricted grants to three vetted nonprofit partners: Metropolitan Family Service, New Avenues for Youth, and Friends of the Children-Portland. Operationally, the foundation runs with a lean staff of 6 employees and a 17-member Board of Directors drawn from the regional business and hospitality community, with leadership restructured in March 2026 into a two-executive model (Executive Director Kruthika 'Kay' von Schlegell and Managing Director Kristy Anderson). Since 1982 the organization has raised over $53 million and reports having served over 1 million children and families in the Portland metropolitan area and southwest Washington.

Name

Classic Wines Foundation

Legal name

First Growth Children and Family Charities, Inc.

Website

https://classicwinesfoundation.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Classic Wines Foundation is a Portland, Oregon 501(c)(3) nonprofit that raises funds for children and families by producing premium wine events, including the annual Salon de Vin gala, winemaker dinners, and wine tastings, distributing proceeds to three vetted nonprofit partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Charity Wine Auctions and Nonprofit Fundraising Events

akta.pro primary industry

Wine Tastings & Vineyard/Winery Tours (THAJAGAD)

Keywords

• Charity wine auctions
• Nonprofit fundraising events
• Wine gala events
• Corporate event sponsorship
• Community philanthropy

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Event Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors pay for brand visibility at events including the annual Salon de Vin and winemaker dinners. Sponsorship opportunities range from individual event sponsorships to annual multi-event packages.
2. Event Ticket Sales: Revenue from selling tickets and tables to Salon de Vin gala events and winemaker dinners. Ticket prices range from $100 for wine tastings to $1,250 for the main Salon de Vin event.
3. Wine Donations for Auction: Accepts donated wine from wineries, collectors, and individuals which are sold through live and silent auctions at events to generate funds for nonprofit partners.
4. Financial Donations: Direct cash donations from individuals and organizations. Tax-deductible contributions as a 501(c)(3) organization with Tax ID 20-1260228.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Classic Wines Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that produces premium wine-focused fundraising events—most prominently the annual Salon de Vin gala and the broader Classic Wines Auction, plus Winemaker Dinners and educational wine tastings—to generate proceeds that benefit three nonprofit partners serving children and families in the Portland, Oregon region. The organization sells event tickets and tables, secures corporate sponsorships, accepts wine and financial donations, and runs silent and live auctions offering over 250 packages annually.

Product overview

Classic Wines Foundation operates as a nonprofit event production organization offering a portfolio of wine-focused fundraising experiences. The core offerings include Salon de Vin (annual flagship gala), Winemaker Dinners (culinary experiences), and Classic Wines Auction events. The organization supplements these with sponsorship programs, donation acceptance (wine and financial), and wine tasting/education events. All proceeds benefit three nonprofit partners serving children and families in the Portland, Oregon community.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Salon de Vin Annual flagship wine gala featuring curated wines, hosted dining tables by premier winery partners, and silent and live auction packages; designed for wine enthusiasts, foodies, business leaders, and philanthropists in the Portland, Oregon community. Tickets priced $1,000-$1,250 per person, with tables of 8 available for group purchase.
• Winemaker Dinners Multi-course culinary experiences pairing premier winemakers (from Oregon and beyond) with top-rated chefs at select Portland venues; priced at $175-$195 per person and designed for wine enthusiasts seeking intimate winemaker interactions.
• Classic Wines Auction One of the largest charity wine auctions in the United States, offering over 250 silent and live auction packages each year featuring donated wine, hospitality experiences, and luxury items from wineries, hotels, restaurants, tour operators, and private collectors.
• Sponsorship Programs Corporate sponsorship packages (single-event and annual multi-event) offering brand visibility and access to diverse, high-profile audiences at Salon de Vin and winemaker dinner events; sold directly by the Managing Director to regional businesses.
• Donation Programs Year-round acceptance of wine, goods, services, and financial contributions from individuals and organizations, with tax-deductible status under 501(c)(3) (Tax ID 20-1260228); financial donations accepted online via cw.ejoinme.org/donate, while in-kind donations support the 250+ annual silent and live auction packages.
• Wine Tasting Events Educational wine tasting events (e.g., the Pinot Noir Exploration comparing Burgundian and West Coast wines) led by industry experts; priced at approximately $100 per person and designed to engage wine enthusiasts in the Portland community.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over $53 million raised for children and families in need since 1982
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered primary.

• Metropolitan Family ServiceprimaryOthersMetropolitan Family Service (MFS) is a nonprofit partner that helps people move beyond the limitations of poverty, inequity and social isolation. MFS delivers culturally responsive programs that help more than 36,000 children, families, and older adults succeed each year. Classic Wines Foundation provides unrestricted funds to support MFS programs.
• New Avenues for YouthprimaryOthersNew Avenues for Youth works in partnership with the community to prevent youth homelessness and provide young people experiencing or at-risk of homelessness the resources and skills needed to lead healthy, productive lives. Since 1997, their programs have impacted more than 20,000 young people. Classic Wines Foundation supports their mission through fundraising proceeds.
• Friends of the Children - PortlandprimaryOthersFriends of the Children - Portland impacts generational change by empowering youth through relationships with professional mentors for 12+ years, from kindergarten through graduation, at no cost to families. For over 26 years they have helped youth navigate life's greatest challenges and break down barriers of poverty. Classic Wines Foundation provides funding to support their mentorship programs.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Naples Winter Wine Festival: One of the top US charity wine auctions, raising tens of millions annually for children's education and healthcare causes in Southwest Florida through a multi-day wine festival and live auction format. Highly comparable model to Classic Wines Foundation: premium wine events, live/silent auctions, high-net-worth donors, and nonprofit beneficiary partners.
• Sonoma County Vintners Foundation: Operates the Sonoma County Wine Auction, a charity wine auction benefiting local Sonoma County nonprofits, including children's health and literacy programs. Comparable wine-region-based charity auction model with deep winery partnerships and nonprofit beneficiary structure.
• Hospice du Rhône: Charity wine event organization focused on Rhône varietal wines, hosting tastings, seminars, and auctions to raise funds for hospice-related causes. Comparable wine-centric charity event model with multi-day tasting experiences and live auctions, though at a more niche varietal focus.
• Auction Napa Valley: The flagship charity wine auction operated by Napa Valley Vintners, raising tens of millions cumulatively for community health and children's education nonprofits in Napa County. Directly comparable to CWF as a top-tier US charity wine auction with winery partnerships, live auctions, and local nonprofit beneficiary partners.

Broad incumbents

• Food & Wine Classic in Aspen: Iconic three-day culinary event hosted by Food & Wine magazine in Aspen, featuring wine tastings, winemaker dinners, and cooking demonstrations. Comparable premium wine and food experience targeting affluent enthusiasts and corporate sponsors, though without CWF's charity auction structure.
• Pebble Beach Food & Wine: Premium food and wine festival held annually at Pebble Beach, California, featuring tastings, winemaker dinners, and chef demonstrations for high-end culinary and wine audiences. Comparable as a luxury multi-day wine and food experience targeting affluent attendees, though not structured as a charity auction.

Others

• UNICEF USA: Major US nonprofit organization conducting large-scale fundraising through events, donor programs, and partnerships benefiting children's welfare globally. Comparable as a 501(c)(3) operating multi-channel fundraising including galas, sponsorships, and donations, though at vastly different scale and mission.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National youth services nonprofit running event-based fundraising (gala dinners, charity auctions, corporate sponsorships) to fund programs serving children and youth. Comparable nonprofit fundraising model with event-driven revenue and child-serving mission that overlaps CWF's beneficiary focus.

Regional players

• Willamette Valley Wineries Association: Industry association representing Oregon's Willamette Valley wineries, hosting wine events, tastings, and promotional activities in the same Pacific Northwest region as Classic Wines Foundation. Comparable Oregon wine ecosystem player with overlapping winery and hospitality partner network.
• Oregon Wine Experience: Multi-day wine and culinary event held in Oregon wine country, featuring tastings, winemaker dinners, and an auction benefiting local healthcare and education nonprofits. Comparable as a regional charity-adjacent wine event in the same Oregon market, though broader in geographic draw.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ClassicWinesFDN
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@classicwinesfoundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/ClassicWinesFoundation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/classicwinesfoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/classicwinesfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Classic Wines Foundation