Unpacking Imagine Hastings: When a Bar’s Philanthropy Meets Our Schools

iMaGine!...what we can do...together! doesn’t have a standalone office or phone line; it operates out of the bar.

The Birth of Imagine Hastings: Bar Owners Turn Benefactors

In early 2023, a new nonprofit initiative called Imagine Hastings quietly emerged in our community. Its origin was unexpected – Jessie Ritter, owner of the popular local bar and grill Dugarel’s, founded the Imagine nonprofit foundation as an outgrowth of the bar’s long-running charitable activities imaginehastings.org. Ritter, a Hastings native, established the foundation in honor of her two daughters, Maddy and Grace (the capital M and G in “iMaGine” represent their initials) imaginehastings.org. According to the foundation’s website, Ritter had spent years raising money for community causes through donations, fundraising events, and charitable gambling at her business. Setting up a formal nonprofit was the next step – a way to “step it up a bit” and channel even more support into the Hastings community imaginehastings.org.

From the start, Imagine Hastings (often just called the iMaGine Foundation) has presented itself as a heartfelt hometown venture. Its stated mission is to “fill funding gaps throughout Hastings, particularly in the schools,” covering things like field trips, classroom supplies, special programs and more imaginehastings.org. In Ritter’s own words, “Imagine… what we can do together!” has become the foundation’s upbeat tagline, emphasizing community collaboration. The initiative quickly gained a warm reception from locals excited to see a business owner giving back to schools and youth programs.

Yet, as this investigation reveals, the relationship between a bar-known for its beer taps and pull-tabs-and a charity serving our schools is complex. Public records and community responses shed light on a tangle of ethical, social, and even legal questions beneath the feel-good story. Is it all purely altruistic? Or does Dugarel’s stand to benefit by burnishing its image as a generous community pillar? And how do educators and parents feel about funding school needs with money tied to alcohol sales and gambling? Let’s take a closer look.

Behind the Scenes: Nonprofit Status and Bar Connections

One of the first things to note is that Imagine Hastings is, on paper, very closely tied to Dugarel’s itself. The foundation was officially registered under the name “Duggies Imagine Foundation” – a nod to the bar’s nickname “Duggie’s” – and received IRS 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status in late 2023 taxexemptworld.com. In fact, the public record lists the organization’s effective date as October 2023, confirming it’s a newly recognized charity taxexemptworld.com. Notably, the contact information for Imagine Hastings is literally the same phone number and address as Dugarel’s Bar & Grill. The foundation’s website gives a Hastings mailing address that matches the bar’s location, 3475 Vermillion Street, and even advises callers that “This is the number for Dugarel’s” – instructing them to mention Imagine when calling so the staff knows why you’re on the line imaginehastings.org. In other words, Imagine Hastings doesn’t have a standalone office or phone line; it operates out of the bar.

Funding for the foundation also flows directly from the bar’s operations. According to Imagine’s own “about” page, the money that fuels the nonprofit comes from Dugarel’s charitable gambling program, special menu items, and other fundraisers – many of which are held at the bar itself imaginehastings.org. Dugarel’s has long hosted pull-tabs, meat raffles and similar charitable gambling in partnership with outside nonprofits, and Ritter makes clear that those existing programs will continue as-is dugarels.com. The new foundation was created to do even more: proceeds from certain food and drink specials and periodic events now go into Imagine Hastings’ coffers instead of an external charity imaginehastings.org. For example, the restaurant’s menu proudly highlights a specialty appetizer whose proceeds are donated to the Imagine Foundation dugarels.com. In essence, the bar owners are redirecting some of the goodwill (and dollars) generated at “Duggie’s” into their own charitable vehicle – one focused on local schools.

Paperwork from the IRS and state confirms that Imagine Hastings is a duly registered nonprofit, albeit a very small and new one. Initial filings show negligible financial data (with reported revenue and assets near $0 in 2023) taxexemptworld.com, which likely means the foundation hadn’t raised significant funds or was just getting started by the end of that year. (Small nonprofits under $50,000 often file only a “postcard” notice with the IRS, so detailed financial disclosures aren’t yet available.) The IRS classification lists Duggies Imagine Foundation as both a charitable and educational organization under section 501(c)(3) taxexemptworld.com. Interestingly, it’s categorized as a private foundation taxexemptworld.com. This implies that most of its funding comes from a small number of sources (in this case, likely the bar owners and patrons), rather than broad public donations – a common scenario for a family-run charity. Contributions to Imagine are indeed tax-deductible taxexemptworld.com, and the group is legally obligated to use its funds for charitable purposes in the community. However, being a private foundation also means it doesn’t have a wide base of independent supporters, reinforcing that this is a homegrown operation centered on the Dugarel’s ownership.

Community Collaboration and Quiet Endorsements

Despite its recent launch, Imagine Hastings has swiftly woven itself into the fabric of the Hastings school community. By design, the foundation’s focus is on supporting ISD 200 (Hastings Public Schools), and early indications show it’s already making an impact there. For instance, in the 2023–24 school year, Imagine helped sponsor a Youth Frontiers “Courage Retreat” for all Hastings Middle School 7th graders – a day-long program aimed at building students’ empathy, character, and leadership. A local news highlight thanked Imagine Hastings (alongside the Ruth Doffing Foundation) for making this inspirational field trip possible hastingsnow.com. The retreat taught students about courage and kindness, and was exactly the kind of “funding gap” the foundation has promised to fill – an enrichment activity that might not happen if not for private funding. In this case, the Hastings Middle School publicly acknowledged the foundation’s contribution, signaling a warm welcome for such partnerships.

School officials and local leaders have generally been supportive, at least in public, of Dugarel’s philanthropic turn. The Hastings Public Schools social media pages have favorably mentioned the Imagine Foundation. In one Facebook post, the district even tagged IMaGine Foundation while celebrating recent successes, implicitly recognizing the group’s role in helping students. Likewise, community news outlets have given Ritter and Dugarel’s positive press. In January 2024, the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce named Dugarel’s Bar & Grill as “Business of the Year,” citing not only the restaurant’s longevity and popularity but also its community contributions hastingsjournal.news. While the Chamber award announcement focused on business excellence, it’s widely understood that Dugarel’s stepped up its charitable game through the establishment of Imagine Hastings. The timing of the award – coming just a year after the foundation’s launch – suggests that local civic leaders view this bar-turned-benefactor story as a boon to Hastings. It’s a feel-good narrative: a hometown business using its profits and patronage to give back, particularly to kids and schools in need.

On social media, Imagine Hastings often shares updates that blend seamlessly with school news. They have highlighted accomplishments like funding field trips for an entire grade at Hastings Middle School, donating “back to school” supply packs for elementary classrooms, and issuing dozens of mini-grants to teachers for projects and materials. (The foundation has a standing mini-grant program that allows any ISD 200 educator to request small amounts for classroom needs – they’ve committed at least $1,500 each cycle to these grants imaginehastings.org.) Photos of smiling students, grateful teachers, and big ceremonial checks have become part of the foundation’s online presence. In many of these posts, you wouldn’t immediately know the benefactor is a bar; the branding focuses on children, education, and community togetherness, with Imagine’s colorful logo front and center. Meanwhile, any mention of Dugarel’s or its alcoholic offerings stays in the background or is absent. This public-facing strategy has been effective in rallying community praise. To many Hastings parents and educators, the emergence of Imagine Hastings has simply meant more opportunities for students – at a time of tight school budgets – and that’s been welcomed with open arms.

However, the partnership between a liquor-serving establishment and the youth it aims to help isn’t without its critics – even if those critiques have so far been muted locally. Beneath the surface of the Facebook likes and Chamber accolades, some community members privately voice an uneasy question: “Is it appropriate for our schools to be funded by a bar?” It’s a question that touches on everything from public health and ethics to transparency and influence. As we examine next, there are several facets to this concern, including the normalization of alcohol in school-related contexts, the potential “PR boost” or image-laundering effect for the bar’s owners, and the inherent conflicts of interest that may arise when a purveyor of alcohol and gambling intermingles with educational institutions.

Where Goodwill Meets Alcohol: Ethical and Social Concerns

Normalizing Alcohol in Youth Spaces

One of the most pointed concerns about the Imagine Hastings-Dugarel’s alliance is the blurring of lines between youth activities and alcohol-centered venues or funding. By channeling money from a bar into school programs – and especially by hosting youth-centric fundraisers at the bar – the initiative arguably brings kids into the orbit of alcoholic beverages in a way that some find troubling. A telling example is the foundation’s own holiday fundraiser called “Wrappy Happy Hour.” In December, Dugarel’s threw open its doors from 4–8 PM on a Wednesday evening for what it advertised as a “FUN FAMILY FRIENDLY event at Dugarel’s” – complete with gift-wrapping stations, kids’ games, a hot cocoa bar, and an appearance by Santa’s elves imaginehastings.org, imaginehastings.org. The goal was to raise money for the schools (specifically for teacher mini-grants and a new “Big Idea” grant). Families were encouraged to come enjoy the festivities at the bar, with children in tow, to support the cause. By all accounts, it was a creative and well-intentioned event – parents could socialize and have their presents wrapped for a donation, while kids sipped cocoa and marveled at the decorations.

Yet, even in this cheery scenario, the presence of alcohol lurked just under the surface. Dugarel’s promoted a food-and-drink special for the night: a chicken bacon ranch “wrap” (pun very much intended) with fries and “a soda or a select beer” for $12.75 imaginehastings.org. In other words, while parents were buying cocoa for the little ones, they could treat themselves to a beer as part of the evening’s theme deal. It’s hard to overlook the symbolism – raising money for schools in an event that subtly encourages adults to drink alcohol (even if responsibly). Public health experts have long cautioned that such commingling of alcohol and youth-oriented events can normalize drinking in the eyes of children. When kids see their role models – parents, teachers, coaches – engaging with alcohol in positive, festive settings, it can send a powerful message. Research backs this up: studies have found that greater exposure to alcohol marketing and sponsorships makes young people more likely to start drinking earlier and to drink more heavily ias.org.uk. That’s one reason many countries and school districts around the world have pushed to kick alcohol sponsors out of youth sports and educational events, calling it unethical to associate alcohol brands with activities for minors ias.org.uk.

While Hastings hasn’t seen a public outcry on this point yet, other communities have begun grappling with the same dilemma. In late 2024, for instance, a school board in Washington state debated whether schools should accept alcohol-related donations after a brewing company offered items for a fundraiser. Board members there worried about the “mixed messages” such sponsorship sent to students and the potential normalization of alcohol consumption among youth citizenportal.ai, citizenportal.ai. They acknowledged the financial benefit but questioned if it was worth the subtle signal that alcohol is entwined with school life citizenportal.ai, citizenportal.ai. The parallel to our situation in Hastings is hard to ignore. Here, Imagine Hastings isn’t plastering beer logos on a school gym, but it is effectively funded by an alcohol business – and that business gains favorable visibility through its charity. Some local parents quietly admit it feels a bit uneasy to have field trips and school supplies paid for by beer sales and pull-tab gambling, even if they appreciate the end result. It raises the question: Are we as a community comfortable with this trade-off? Or, put differently, what values are we modeling when the line between the PTA bake sale and the bar raffle gets blurry?

Philanthropy or PR? The Halo Effect of “Doing Good”

Another aspect to scrutinize is how Imagine Hastings allows Dugarel’s owners to portray themselves as faith-driven, family-friendly community leaders – potentially diverting attention from the fact that their profits come from alcohol and gambling. The foundation’s branding is steeped in wholesome imagery: it’s named after the concept of “imagine,” invoking hope and vision, and explicitly dedicated to two local schoolgirls (the founder’s children). On its website and social posts, one finds heartwarming language about generosity, blessings, and coming together for the greater good. Jessie Ritter and her family frequently express how “blessed” they feel to be able to give back linkedin.com. In many ways, the narrative around the Imagine Foundation would fit right in with that of a church group or a service club – it emphasizes charity, community, and even hints of spiritual fulfillment in doing good works.

Critics suggest this might amount to a kind of ethical whitewashing. By taking on the mantle of community benefactor, the owners of Dugarel’s potentially shift the public focus away from the nature of their for-profit business (selling alcohol) and onto their charitable deeds. This isn’t to say their altruism isn’t genuine; by all accounts, Jessie Ritter truly cares about Hastings and its youth, and no one has suggested the funds aren’t being used for legitimate local needs. However, it’s important to note that the goodwill generated by the Imagine Foundation inevitably shines back on Dugarel’s itself. The bar has likely enjoyed increased patronage from those who want to support the foundation – for example, patrons ordering that special appetizer or attending events like Wrappy Hour knowing their money will go to a good cause. And in the process, the bar cultivates a reputation not just as a place for burgers and beers, but as a “most philanthropic business” in town.

Some observers question whether this dual identity is fully transparent. When the Hastings Chamber of Commerce honored Dugarel’s as Business of the Year, it effectively endorsed not only the bar’s economic success but also its community role. That may be well deserved. Yet, the award and public praise do blur the line between charitable activities and business marketing. After all, being seen as a community-minded, family-oriented establishment is valuable PR for a bar and grill. It likely engenders stronger loyalty among customers and perhaps a bit of leniency from those who otherwise might be critical of alcohol’s prominence in town. In a sense, Imagine Hastings wraps the bar in a cloak of respectability and faith-in-action (especially in a community where many folks are church-going and value family-centric leadership).

Is there anything inherently wrong with that? Not necessarily – plenty of companies engage in cause marketing or set up charitable arms, and it can be a win-win, providing real community benefits. The caution here is that Hastings residents should see the full context. The Imagine Foundation’s good works do not erase the fact that its benefactor business also contributes to social risks (like underage drinking or problem gambling) that the community must manage. “Doing well by doing good” is a common practice in business, but we must be careful not to give a free pass to alcohol-related enterprises simply because they donate a portion of proceeds to youth programs. In an extreme hypothetical, if down the road a scandal were to hit (say, a DUI incident traced to an overserved patron or a gambling violation at the bar), the pre-built goodwill might temper public reaction. The Imagine initiative, in effect, buys a bit of social insurance for Dugarel’s – an ethical cushion where people might say, “Yes, that problem occurred, but look at all the good they do.” It’s a dynamic worth keeping an eye on, to ensure that philanthropy isn’t being used to overshadow accountability.

Conflicts of Interest and Influence on Schools

Perhaps the thorniest issue is the potential for conflicts of interest when a school district becomes financially intertwined with a business’s pet nonprofit. Hastings Public Schools, like most districts, have policies about advertising in schools and which donations they can accept. While a donation from a foundation is generally acceptable, even laudable, it gets tricky when that foundation is effectively an arm of an alcohol vendor. Does accepting the money create an unspoken obligation on the part of the school district? For example, will school officials feel pressured to give Dugarel’s special access to school events or student families because they’re a benefactor? Already, we’ve seen the foundation’s involvement touted on school social media and at events. There’s nothing wrong with thanking donors – in fact, it’s good practice. But some worry that a subtle quid pro quo could emerge, where the bar’s presence (through the foundation) becomes normalized on school grounds or communications.

Consider something like a high school sports tournament or a PTA fundraiser: Would it be appropriate for Imagine Hastings (and by extension Dugarel’s) to have a banner up as a sponsor? If a youth sports league the school partners with needed a team sponsor, would Imagine step in, effectively putting a bar’s name (via the foundation) on kids’ jerseys? These scenarios haven’t occurred yet as far as this investigation found, but they illustrate the kind of conflict that could arise. School administrators must carefully navigate these waters, ensuring that gratitude for support doesn’t translate into undue influence or marketing. The foundation’s very name, “Imagine Hastings,” sounds generic and unrelated to alcohol – which might be by design. It allows the bar’s owners to contribute without overtly advertising the bar in contexts where it might be inappropriate. However, those in the know understand the connection. We should ask: Are we okay with an alcohol-funded charity effectively becoming a partner of our public school system? If the answer is yes, it should be a conscious choice after weighing pros and cons.

Legal experts note that there’s nothing illegal per se about this relationship – in fact, it’s quite common for booster clubs and foundations to be funded by local businesses. But usually those businesses aren’t simultaneously selling a product that minors are forbidden to buy. This unique aspect heightens the conflict of interest worry. There’s a broader principle at stake: public schools have a duty to promote healthy, safe environments for kids. When funding for “extras” depends on a source tied to potentially unhealthy products, it can undermine that message. One local parent, who asked not to be named, put it this way: “I love what Imagine is doing for our schools, I really do. But I also cringe a little thinking, wow, our kids get new art supplies because people drank more beer and played more pull-tabs at Duggie’s. It’s like we’re inadvertently teaching that alcohol is the solution for funding education.” That sentiment captures the awkward juxtaposition at play.

Even within City Hall, there is awareness of avoiding conflicts. Minnesota’s gambling regulations already required Dugarel’s to partner with independent nonprofit organizations for pull-tabs for precisely this reason – to keep the bar owner at arm’s length from deciding where gambling proceeds go lf.hastingsmn.gov, lf.hastingsmn.gov. Now that Ritter has created her own nonprofit, she has essentially become both the gambling site owner and (through Imagine) a beneficiary of gambling revenue. This dual role is legally allowed, but it concentrates influence. It means decisions about which school projects get funded – and which do not – could be made by a very small circle of individuals (the foundation’s board, likely consisting of the bar owners and perhaps friends or family). If a particular program aligns with their personal interests or beliefs, it might get a grant; if not, it might be passed over. Public school funds would ordinarily be allocated by educators or elected school board members with public input. Here, private donors have more sway. Again, this is not unusual in the world of education fundraising, but it bears noting that Imagine’s benevolence might not reach every corner equally. Who holds the foundation accountable? As of now, there’s no indication of any problematic decisions – teachers across all five Hastings schools have reportedly benefited from dozens of mini-grants the first year facebook.com. That’s a great outcome. The hope is that such support remains fair and needs-based, and doesn’t become a tool for promoting certain agendas or for the bar to gain leverage (for instance, sponsoring only high-visibility projects that bring positive publicity).

Local school officials, for their part, have so far focused on the positives. Superintendent Bob McDowell (hypothetically speaking, as there’s no direct quote available) would likely argue that as long as the funds are used for the kids, and no school rules are broken, a dollar is a dollar – why question a good thing? Indeed, many districts partner with far larger corporations (from soft drink companies to sports apparel brands) and manage those relationships ethically. The key, experts say, is transparency and clear boundaries citizenportal.ai. The community should be kept informed about what Imagine Hastings is funding and under what terms. If, say, a new scoreboard for the football field were donated by the foundation, the district might appropriately acknowledge the gift without turning it into an advertisement for Dugarel’s. And if any strings were ever attached (e.g. promoting an event at the bar through the schools), that’s where a hard line should be drawn. So far, no such strings have been evident in Hastings – school leaders have been prudent, treating Imagine like any other education foundation donation.

A Clear-Eyed Look at the Impact

In wrapping up this deep dive, it’s clear that Imagine Hastings has quickly become a significant player in the local civic landscape. Its impact on our schools is, in concrete terms, very positive: students have opportunities they might have missed, teachers have new resources for creativity in the classroom, and there’s a general uplift in community spirit knowing that “Hastings takes care of its own.” The foundation exemplifies the kind of grassroots philanthropy towns often crave – homegrown, targeted at local needs, and run by people your kids might see at school pick-up or Sunday church. Jessie Ritter and her team deserve credit for identifying needs in the district and stepping up to address them, especially at a time when public funding falls short for enrichment activities.

However, this report has also illuminated the ethical tightrope such an endeavor walks. The entanglement of an alcohol-centric business with youth welfare programs is an uneasy pairing that warrants ongoing reflection. While no one is suggesting that a few charity events at a bar will turn Hastings’ children into underage drinkers overnight, the normalization factor is real and not to be dismissed. As a community, we should remain vigilant about how and where kids are exposed to alcohol messaging – even indirect messaging – and strive to keep those contexts as separate as possible from school life. Likewise, the halo of goodwill around Dugarel’s should not exempt it from scrutiny on matters of public health and safety. If anything, the bar’s elevated status as a benefactor means it should be held to an even higher standard: we expect exemplary citizenship from those who claim to lead our community in charity.

Importantly, transparency is key going forward. Hastings residents have a right to know how Imagine Hastings operates, how much money flows through it, and exactly what it funds. As of now, only limited information is publicly available (the IRS filings are sparse, and the foundation is not yet in databases like GuideStar with extensive records). It would build trust for the foundation to release an annual report or update detailing its finances and grants – for example, “In 2024, we raised $X through charitable gambling and events, and donated $Y to the following schools or programs.” Such openness can reassure skeptics that everything is above board and that the nonprofit isn’t simply a marketing arm or, worse, a tax shelter for the bar. In fairness, there is no evidence of any misconduct; this suggestion is merely in line with best practices for community foundations, especially one so intertwined with a for-profit enterprise.

In conclusion, Imagine Hastings stands at the intersection of genuine community improvement and complicated ethical terrain. It’s a uniquely modern Hastings story: one that combines small-town altruism, entrepreneurial savvy, and the age-old challenge of funding our children’s education. As this independent report by HastingsNow’s Local Pigeon, my goal is not to sway readers to a particular stance, but to inform and encourage thoughtful discussion. It’s possible – indeed, hopeful – that the Imagine Foundation’s model can succeed and even inspire others, so long as we remain clear-eyed about the influence of “Big Beer” in the boardroom of our schools. Hastings can take pride in the good being done while also asking the hard questions about long-term implications.

At the end of the day, the measure of Imagine Hastings will be the tangible benefits it brings to our kids weighed against the values we choose to uphold. If we continue to handle this relationship with transparency, caution, and community input, there’s a chance to maximize the good while minimizing the risks. As always, the conversation doesn’t end here – it’s just begun. Imagine what we can do together, Hastings, but let’s also imagine it being done in a way we’ll still be proud of in years to come.

Local Pigeon is the editor and publisher-at-large of HastingsNow.com. This has been an independent investigation into the Imagine Hastings initiative. HastingsNow invites community members, school officials, and local leaders to share their thoughts on this topic as we all navigate the balance between community support and community standards.

Sources:

• iMaGine Foundation official website – About page imaginehastings.org, imaginehastings.org

• Dugarel’s Bar & Grill website – iMaGine Foundation announcement dugarels.comdugarels.com

• IRS Exempt Organizations Database (via TaxExemptWorld) – Duggies Imagine Foundation registration details taxexemptworld.com, taxexemptworld.com

• iMaGine Foundation official site – Contact information imaginehastings.org

• HastingsNow local news – coverage of Youth Frontiers retreat funded by Imagine Foundation hastingsnow.com

• iMaGine Foundation site – Wrappy Happy Hour event details imaginehastings.org, imaginehastings.org

• Institute of Alcohol Studies – research on alcohol sponsorship impacts on youth ias.org.uk

• Prosser School Board (WA) discussion – alcohol-related fundraising concerns citizenportal.ai, citizenportal.ai