Event generated more than $12 million for health care programs since 2015
MEDFORD, Ore. (Oct. 25, 2023) — After nearly a decade of events and fundraising to support children’s health care programs, Asante Foundation will no longer host Oregon Wine Experience® (OWE). After close evaluation of the overall investment and return, OWE is no longer financially viable as a fundraising event in a post-pandemic economy.
“This is one of the most difficult decisions we’ve ever had to make. Asante is incredibly honored and proud of the experience and event we created for our community,” said Andrea Reeder, senior vice president and chief philanthropy officer of Asante.
Since 2015, OWE has attracted tens of thousands of people from across the country to experience all-things Oregon wine and to fundraise for children’s health care at Asante, a local, community-owned and governed not-for-profit organization with nearly 6,000 employees who provide medical care to nearly 600,000 people in a nine-county area of Southern Oregon and Northern California.
Like health systems nationwide, Asante is navigating financial challenges and is taking steps to conserve resources while remaining true to its mission to serve its community. Simultaneously, Asante Foundation has closely evaluated its own operations and the financial feasibility of OWE.
“We have a mission to support patients and health care programs, and we must be good stewards of resources. In a post-pandemic world, due to the high cost of labor, hard goods and services, combined with inflation, OWE is no longer a financially viable fundraising event for us to host,” Reeder said.
Although there have been many successful efforts to conserve resources in several areas, these challenges continue to drive up costs the organization cannot sustain while successfully fundraising.
“We extend our immense gratitude to every sponsor, vendor, winery and guest who helped make OWE a reality. The outcomes and opportunities that were made possible through this event will continue to have an impact,” Reeder said. “You helped raise more than $12 million, and as we watch the new Olsrud Family Women’s and Children’s Hospital at Asante Rogue Regional Medical Center get close to completion, we are so proud of your impact—it has truly made a difference.”
Asante owns and operates all OWE trademarks including Oregon Wine Experience®, Oregon Wine Competition® and Oregon Wine University®. Over the next several months, the organization will evaluate its assets, inventory and individual event components to determine next steps.
Asante Foundation will fulfill on all remaining OWE auction purchases through the 2023 event, and will host the final Oregon Wine University® class in December 2023.
For more information or for questions, please contact (541) 789-5025 or foundationinfo@asante.org.
About Oregon Wine Experience®
Since its inception in 2015, Oregon Wine Experience® (OWE) has raised more than $12 million, benefiting Children’s Miracle Network and other health care programs funded by Asante Foundation. Asante is a local, community-owned and governed not-for-profit organization with nearly 6,000 employees who provide medical care to nearly 600,000 people in a nine-county area of Southern Oregon and Northern California. The multi-day wine and culinary event celebrates the very best of Oregon. For more information visit: theoregonwineexperience.com.
About Asante Foundation
For more than 60 years, philanthropy has helped Asante provide and enhance health care for communities throughout Southern Oregon and Northern California. Asante Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Asante, a local, community-owned and governed not-for-profit health system, is an integral partner in Asante’s vision to be your trusted health partner for life – every person, every time. Asante Foundation launched AsanteForward, the most significant campaign effort in our history, to transform the quality and scope of health care available in Asante’s nine-county region. This campaign is the largest philanthropic endeavor ever attempted in this area. At the core of AsanteForward are six specific initiatives including behavioral health, cancer care, expanded emergency services, Age-Friendly care and a new patient pavilion to house several areas of care including the new Olsrud Family Women’s and Children’s Hospital, cardiac care, critical care and advanced surgical services. To learn more, please visit asantefoundation.org.