The newly re-branded and retooled Sagebrush Community Challenge reportedly fell short of its fundraising goals and is going to need roughly $30,000 just to cover the events operating costs.
Deschutes Brewery CEO Gary Fish told a crowd of sponsors and participants on Tuesday afternoon that the inaugural event failed to raise enough money to cover the costs of putting on the event, which was modeled after a fundraiser in Jackson Hole, Wy. Fish reportedly told the crowd that the Sagebrush Community Challenge would have to largely forego the promised fundrasing match that was used as an incentive for many local non-profits to participate. Those non-profits raised thousands of dollars in anticipation of securing matching funds from the Sagebrush Challenge.
The format was a departure from years past when the Sagebrush Classic served as a fundraiser for the Deschutes Children’s Foundation with a golf tournament and chef’s banquet at Broken Top served as the primary draw and fundraising vehicle.
