The Nearest Green Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of Nathan “Nearest” Green, the formerly enslaved Black master distiller who taught Jack Daniel the art of whiskey making. Founded by Fawn Weaver, co-founder of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, the Foundation supports educational opportunities for Green’s descendants and fosters the growth of Black entrepreneurs and professionals within the American spirits industry.
Nearest Green's pivotal contributions to American whiskey, particularly his refinement of the Lincoln County Process, were largely unrecognized for over a century. The Nearest Green Foundation was established to rectify this historical oversight and to ensure that Green's story of innovation and excellence inspires future generations.
The Nearest Green Legacy Scholarship Program
A cornerstone of the Foundation's mission is the Nearest Green Legacy Scholarship Program, which provides full scholarships to direct descendants of Nathan “Nearest” Green. This initiative aims to provide educational opportunities that were historically denied to Green and many other enslaved individuals and their progeny. Nathan Green himself, along with his wife Harriet, could not read or write, making this scholarship a direct effort to uplift his bloodline through education.
To qualify for the Nearest Green Legacy Scholarship, applicants must be direct descendants of Nathan “Nearest” Green, be first-time college attendees, and maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA throughout their college enrollment. The inaugural class of seven scholarship recipients was announced in September 2017, with students enrolling in various universities across the United States, including Texas A&M, the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, Motlow State College, Auburn University, Enterprise State, the College of DuPage, and Missouri State University. The scholarship covers tuition and books, renewed each semester for students who maintain the required GPA.
Funding for the Nearest Green Legacy Scholarship Program has historically come from generous donors and proceeds from the book “Jack Daniel's Legacy.” Additionally, prior to its current financial challenges, sales from Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey also contributed to the Foundation's ability to provide these scholarships.
The Nearest & Jack Advancement Initiative
In 2020, in a significant move to promote diversity and equity within the American whiskey industry, the Nearest Green Foundation formed an alliance with Jack Daniel Distillery (owned by Brown-Forman) to launch the Nearest & Jack Advancement Initiative (NJAI). This joint program was created in response to the Black Lives Matter movement and pledged a combined initial investment of US$5 million, with some reports noting a total of $10 million earmarked for its various programs. The NJAI is designed to foster greater representation of people of color in leadership roles across the American whiskey sector.
The Nearest & Jack Advancement Initiative encompasses several key components:
Leadership Acceleration Program: This program guides participants from underrepresented communities who aspire to become head distillers, heads of maturation, and production managers.
Apprenticeships and Mentorship Programs: Providing hands-on experience and guidance, these programs pair emerging talent with industry veterans.
Nearest Green School of Distilling: Offered as a certificate program through Motlow State College in Tennessee, this school provides students with STEM-based and employable industry skills relevant to distilling.
Business Incubation Program: A core aspect of the NJAI is to provide mentorship and resources to Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) entrepreneurs in the spirits industry, helping them to succeed and grow their brands. For example, Du Nord Social Spirits was an early graduate of this program.
The goal of NJAI is to significantly increase diversity across the spirits industry and empower Black-owned brands with the resources needed for success.
Broader Community Impact and Initiatives
Beyond its core scholarship and industry advancement programs, the Nearest Green Foundation has engaged in other initiatives to support communities and honor Green's legacy:
Operation Brother’s Keeper: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Foundation supplied more than 300,000 N-95 and cloth masks to frontline workers and disadvantaged communities.
HBCU Scholarship Program: In an initiative spanning from Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January 15, 2024) to Juneteenth (June 19, 2024), Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey pledged to donate $1 for every Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey Old Fashioned cocktail or cocktail kit sold nationwide. This effort aimed to raise up to $1.4 million to provide one full in-state tuition scholarship at every accredited Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the country, leveraging the Foundation’s giving structure.
Historical Preservation: The Foundation is also responsible for establishing a museum and memorial park dedicated to Nearest Green's life and contributions, as well as a book detailing his story.
Connection to Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey
The Nearest Green Foundation shares a deep connection with Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey, as both were founded by Fawn Weaver with the explicit purpose of honoring Nathan “Nearest” Green. Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey’s Master Blender, Victoria Eady Butler, is Nearest Green's great-great-granddaughter, embodying the living legacy the Foundation seeks to preserve.
However, it is important to note the current status of Uncle Nearest Premium Whiskey. As of April 2026, the company remains in receivership and has been declared insolvent. [cite: blog/uncle-nearest-navigates-significant-legal-challenges-recent-updates-in-ongoing-l] The brand’s founders were removed from controlling interest in August 2025 due to a $100M+ lender lawsuit. [cite: blog/uncle-nearest-navigates-significant-legal-challenges-recent-updates-in-ongoing-l] An April 10, 2026, receiver report reaffirmed the insolvency and warned that operations could cease within 30 days without continued lender support, leading to approximately 38% (34 employees) of its staff being cut. [cite: blog/uncle-nearest-navigates-significant-legal-challenges-recent-updates-in-ongoing-l]
Legacy
The Nearest Green Foundation stands as a testament to the enduring impact of Nathan “Nearest” Green. Through its comprehensive programs, the Foundation not only provides tangible support for Green’s descendants but also actively works to dismantle barriers and create opportunities for Black professionals and entrepreneurs in the spirits industry. By investing in education and fostering diversity, the Foundation ensures that Nearest Green’s legacy of mastery, perseverance, and groundbreaking contributions to American whiskey continues to be celebrated and expanded upon for generations to come.