For-profit brand + fiscally-sponsored charitable event series
LiveSwell (LLC, Benefit Corp / SPC as a later mission-lock) is the earned-revenue brand. Kegs for a Cause launches under fiscal sponsorship so giving is tax-deductible on day one. This mirrors the Finnegans template. Not legal or tax advice — confirm with counsel before forming anything.
The two entities
What each one is, and why
Near-term
Kegs for a Cause
A branded, recurring charitable event series: a different local brewery hosts a ticketed night; proceeds go to a rotating nonprofit. $3–10K to launch, months to first event, San Diego pilot → Monterey.
Structural advantage: the brewery holds the liquor license. K4C never possesses, serves, or sells alcohol → no separate ABC license required.
Entity — fiscal sponsorship to launch. Tax-deductible day one; ~5–10% sponsor fee. Alternatives on record: standalone 501(c)(3) (~$2.5–4K, 3–6 mo IRS); program under an existing nonprofit; for-profit LLC (simplest, but tickets aren't deductible).
The brand
LiveSwell
For-profit LLC. Benefit Corp / SPC is an optional later mission-lock, not a launch requirement. Low-ABV (1–4%) session beers — a lane no California brewery owns as a primary identity. Sustainability-forward.
Launch model: private-label / brand-house. LiveSwell owns brand, recipes, and sales; a contract brewer produces. $15–40K, first sale in 3–6 months. Retain full recipe ownership — non-negotiable.
Proven model: Mikkeller, Evil Twin, Stillwater. Community taproom is the eventual, not initial, form.
Funding reality
Neither track is an investor courtship
K4C essentially self-funds — ticket revenue covers production costs; the net is donated. LiveSwell's entry is a small-business raise (savings + friends and family + Kiva / Kickstarter), not an investor courtship. See Master Tracker capital rows in the study.
Why this shape
Three constraints picked the structure
The brand can't be a nonprofit
The charitable arm carries the mission
Contract-first proves demand
Build in from day one
Two things that make or break this model
Tracking + accountability
The collab-beer precedents (Resilience IPA, Black is Beautiful) show that follow-through is where cause-beer models fail. Track and publicly report what's given, from event one.
Licensing (verify each)
LiveSwell (private-label): holds its own TTB Brewer's Notice + per-label COLA + CA ABC Type 17/23. No facility permits at this stage; ~3–6 months decision-to-first-sale.
K4C events: no separate ABC license (host's covers them) — but confirm each brewery's license and insurance actually cover a ticketed charitable event.
Full brewery (later): adds CUP + building + health permits; 12–24 months decision-to-first-pour.
Disclaimer
A structure sketch, not a filing plan
Finnegans is a Minnesota benefit corp — the shape transfers to California; the specifics differ. Entity choice, CCV registration, liquor licensing, and any fiscal-sponsor agreement should be confirmed with a California attorney experienced in both alcohol and nonprofit law before anything is formed or filed.