The Bourbon Bigfoot Foundation: Building More Than Just Furniture. At Bourbon Bigfoot, we’ve always believed that the best things are built to last: and that includes our community. That’s why we started the Bourbon Bigfoot Foundation. Our mission is simple: we want to give back to the people and charities that make our world a better place. Whether it’s supporting local woodshops for kids, donating custom pieces to charity auctions, or helping out families in need, we’re committed to using our hands and our hearts to make a real difference. Because for us, it’s not just about the wood: it’s about the roots we plant and the community we grow together.
Why We Started the Foundation
Every piece of furniture we craft tells a story. It starts with raw timber: maybe a beautiful piece of Red Oak or White Oak from right here in Ohio: and through dedication, skill, and a whole lot of sawdust, it becomes something that families gather around for generations. We realized that the same principle applies to community building: you start with strong materials, invest time and care, and create something that endures.
Living and working in Galena, Ohio, we’re surrounded by neighbors who’ve supported our business from day one. We’ve had the privilege of creating custom pieces for homes throughout Central Ohio, from downtown Columbus to the rolling hills around Delaware County. These aren’t just transactions: they’re relationships. When you build someone’s dining table or craft the cabinets for their dream kitchen, you become part of their story. The Bourbon Bigfoot Foundation is our way of honoring that connection and ensuring we’re giving back as much as we’ve received.
Supporting the Next Generation of Craftspeople
One of our core initiatives focuses on youth woodworking education. There’s something magical about watching a kid’s eyes light up when they successfully complete their first project: whether it’s a simple birdhouse or a small cutting board. We partner with local schools and community centers throughout Central Ohio to provide tools, materials, and expertise to woodworking programs that might otherwise struggle to stay afloat.
Woodworking teaches patience, problem-solving, and the satisfaction of creating something tangible with your own hands. In an increasingly digital world, these tactile skills matter more than ever. We’re donating lumber: everything from common maple to more unique species like Buckeye: to these programs, along with safety equipment and basic hand tools. We also host occasional workshops at our Galena facility where young woodworkers can see professional-grade equipment in action and learn directly from experienced craftspeople.
Custom Pieces for Charitable Causes
Throughout the year, we donate custom pieces to charity auctions and fundraising events across Central Ohio. These aren’t cookie-cutter pieces: they’re thoughtfully designed, meticulously crafted items that reflect the same quality standards we apply to every commission we take on. From live-edge conference tables for nonprofit offices to handcrafted benches for community gardens, each donation serves a dual purpose: raising funds for worthy causes and showcasing the beauty of locally-sourced hardwoods.
Recently, we created a stunning entryway console from Osage Orange for a Columbus-area fundraiser. Osage Orange, with its incredible durability and striking golden color, made for a piece that was both functional and conversation-worthy. The auction raised significant funds, and we got to contribute something that will serve that family for decades to come. That’s the kind of win-win we love to see.
Helping Families in Our Community
Not all of our foundation work happens at organized events. Sometimes, giving back means responding to a neighbor’s need in real-time. We’ve help built bunk beds for families transitioning out of homelessness, created adaptive furniture for individuals with mobility challenges, and constructed storage solutions for community food pantries. These projects often fly under the radar, but they matter just as much: if not more: than our higher-profile initiatives.
The Philosophy Behind the Foundation
At Bourbon Bigfoot, our work has always been guided by a respect for materials, a commitment to craftsmanship, and an understanding that what we build should outlast us. The same philosophy drives our foundation work. We’re not interested in quick fixes or surface-level charity. We want to create lasting impact, to plant roots that will grow and strengthen our community for years to come.
When you work with wood, you learn to think in terms of generations. A properly built piece of furniture from Red Oak: which ranks favorably on the Janka hardness scale: will serve a family through decades of daily use. The table you eat dinner at tonight might be the same table your grandchildren gather around someday. That long-term perspective informs everything we do, including our charitable work. We’re building toward a future where Central Ohio remains a place where craftsmanship is valued, where young people learn hands-on skills, and where neighbors help neighbors.
What’s Next for the Foundation
We’re always looking for new ways to expand our impact. This year, we’re launching a scholarship program for high school students who want to pursue careers in the skilled trades. Too often, talented young people are pushed toward four-year degrees when they might thrive in woodworking, cabinetmaking, or furniture design. We want to support those who have the passion and aptitude to become the next generation of master craftspeople.
We’re also exploring partnerships with environmental organizations focused on responsible forest management and sustainable hardwood practices. Our commitment to sustainability goes beyond our own lumber sourcing: we want to ensure that the forests of Ohio remain healthy and productive for generations to come. The connection between environmental stewardship and community building is direct: the same woods that provide materials for our craft also provide recreation spaces, wildlife habitat, and natural beauty that enriches all our lives.
Getting Involved
The Bourbon Bigfoot Foundation works because it’s rooted in community. We can’t do this alone, nor would we want to. If you’re a Central Ohio nonprofit looking for in-kind donations or auction items, reach out. If you know a young person interested in woodworking, tell them about our educational programs. If you’re a homeowner or business owner who values quality craftsmanship and wants to support local makers who give back, consider us for your next custom project: a portion of every commission supports our foundation work.
Building community takes the same skills as building fine furniture: attention to detail, respect for your materials, willingness to invest time and effort, and understanding that the goal isn’t just completion: it’s creating something that will serve well and last long. Here in Galena, surrounded by the farms and forests of Central Ohio, we’re committed to both kinds of building. The furniture we craft today will fill homes and offices for decades. The relationships we nurture, the skills we pass on, and the help we provide will strengthen our community for generations.
That’s the Bourbon Bigfoot Foundation promise: to use our hands, our hearts, and our craft to build more than furniture. We’re building a community with deep roots and a bright future, one custom piece and one act of service at a time.
If you’d like to learn more about the Bourbon Bigfoot Foundation, explore custom furniture options, or discuss how we can support your charitable organization, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out today and let’s start a conversation about building something meaningful together.