O'Connor Brewing is a long-time supporter and partner of the LGBT Life Center in Norfolk. We have been close neighbors in the Railroad district since 2011 and, like all good neighbors, we try to support them however we can. The LGBT Life Center was our charity of the month in June 2022, and we raised $1500 for their organization. They are a trusted organization that empowers the LGBTQ community and all people affected by HIV by improving health, strengthening the community, and providing transformative education.

Through its many fundraising efforts and events, O’Connor Brewing Company is an on-going supporter of Families of Autistic Children in Tidewater (FACT), a local charity in Virginia Beach, VA, providing children with autism and their loved ones with the support they need. FACT proudly provides recreational programs designed to enhance the socialization and communication skills of individuals with autism. The organization offers activities that are adaptable for any ability level or age. We urge the community to join us as we foster a compassionate environment for our children.

Kevin O'Connor was born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia. He has always been a passionate supporter of his hometown and is therefore honored to be able to make a difference in this incredible coastal city by sitting on the board of Visit Norfolk. Visit Norfolk helps our city to continue to thrive as a robust, multi-cultural city known for its beautiful and lively downtown area, historic neighborhoods, arts district, naval history, outdoor recreation, and more. 

Worldwide, 300,000 children are diagnosed with cancer each year. And in the U.S., more children die of childhood cancer than any other disease—more than AIDS, asthma, cystic fibrosis, congenital anomalies and diabetes combined. To do our part in helping children everywhere, at our annual St. Patrick's Day party in 2019, O'Connor held its first ever head-shaving fundraiser with the St. Baldricks Foundation, a not-for-profit working closely with leading pediatric oncologists to determine the most promising research to fund and to “conquer kids cancer.” Since then, we have partnered with St. Baldrick Foundation for each of our St. Paddy's Day events.

Kevin andPennyO'Connor are committed supporters of the Decker Children's Charity. Their legacy of giving started with the family's beloved patriarch, Peter G. Decker, who was a long time friend of our brewery’s owner and who passed away in 2012. Peter Decker, known as “Uncle Pete” to most, was a passionate steward of St. Jude's Children's Hospital, and he left his indelible mark of kindness and generosity on his family who continue to honor his legacy. Today, Decker Children's Charity supports many different children's charities and O'Connor is honored to be a recurring host and donor of one of their biggest annual fundraising events.

In 2016, O'Connor Brewing Co. designed an outdoor beer garden that could offer some greenspace to our visitors.  Norfolk Botanical Gardens was instrumental in the landscaping and helped us design an ocean friendly garden using native plants that absorb water to tap during dry months, filter pollution, and hold on to carbon from carbon dioxide.  Since then, we've partnered with them on other projects such as the  Norfolk Botanical Garden's “O’Connor Grain and Hop Garden,” a space designed to showcase the education aspect of beer.  In addition, horticulturist Alex Cantwell was inspired by O’Connor’s brewers and now teaches classes at the garden such as“The Horticulture and History of Beer” and “Gardening for the Home Brewer.”  

O'Connor Brewing has supported our local Red Cross for the last of couple of years, raising funds, hosting blood drives at the brewery, and helping them raise awareness of the importances of donating blood and other resources for their cause. The American Red Cross aspires to turn compassion into action so that all people affected by disaster across the country and around the world receive care, shelter and hope, that our communities are ready and prepared for disasters, that everyone in our country has access to safe, lifesaving blood and blood products, that all members of our armed services and their families find support and comfort whenever needed; and in an emergency, there are always trained individuals nearby, ready to use their Red Cross skills to save lives.  

What started as a sponsorship opportunity with the Virginia Zoo, our state’s premier zoological park, in 2015 to help raise funds has grown into a mutual friendship. The Virginia Zoo sits on 53 acres and is home to more than 700 animals, representing over 150 species. The zoo supports conservation activities locally and worldwide—from improving wetlands and shoreline oyster beds right here in Norfolk to funding the scientific study and protection of tigers, hornbills, and more across the world. They are committed to ensuring that all wildlife survives for future generations. Our founder and CEO, Kevin O'Connor, also serves as a zoo board member and is active in promoting their continued success. One of our most recent partnership projects includes producing a custom canned pilsner, Slow Pour Pils, which is available only at the zoo.