Nominate a Charity Golf Tournament to Win $10,000
Play It Forward Returns for Year Six
GolfStatus is teeing up the sixth annual Play It Forward campaign, once again partnering with Dormie Network and Dormie Network Foundation to spotlight the nonprofits and charity organizations using golf to fuel their missions.
Every year, thousands of golf tournaments raise mission-critical dollars for causes across the country. Play It Forward celebrates the people and organizations behind those events—the organizers, volunteers, sponsors, and golfers who show up to support important community causes through golf.
From August 1 to September 30, anyone can nominate a charity golf tournament they love for Play It Forward. One deserving golf fundraiser will receive a $10,000 donation, and the person who nominated the event will win a Dormie Network Stay and Play package (good for a two-day, one-night golf getaway at one of its eligible private destination clubs).
Victoria National in Newburgh, Indiana, is one of Dormie Network’s private destination golf clubs.
Eligible events include traditional nine- or 18-hole tournaments, TopGolf outings, mini golf fundraisers, and everything in between that raises money for a nonprofit or charitable cause.
“Golf tournaments do more than just raise money,” says Steve Mattern, Chief Operating Officer at GolfStatus. “They build community, rally support around a cause, and strengthen community relationships. Play It Forward is our chance to shine a light on all the good golf events do.”
Six Years of Play it Forward
“Every nomination is a reminder of how much good the game of golf can do,” says Brian Schenk, Chief Philanthropy Officer at Dormie Network Foundation. “Six years in, it’s still an honor to help these organizations go further.”
Since launching in 2021, Play It Forward has given $60,000 to organizations across the U.S. that are using golf to power positive change in their communities:
2025: Hope Strengthens Foundation
Selected from a record-setting pool of nominations, Hope Strengthens Foundation supports patients and families navigating serious illness and long treatment journeys.
“The $10,000 donation from Play It Forward was directly leveraged to provide critical support to three patients and families for transportation costs, a new prosthetic leg, and leukemia treatments.”
Jacob Ferreira, Executive Director at Hope Strengthens Foundation
2024: Coalition For Kids (C4K)
C4K supports over 1,200 vulnerable students in northwest Tennessee wth free after-school and evening programs, providing academic, physical, social, and spiritual growth to kids in one of the area’s most underserved communities.
'“The Play It Forward donation directly supported our ability to serve hundreds of children throughout the school year with critical after-school programming and opportunities that keep them safe, engaged, and learning during the hours they are most vulnerable.”
Randy Hensley, Executive Director at Coalition For Kids
2023: Avery’s Hope
Avery’s Hope assists families of children navigating rare and undiagnosed GI conditions. Its TopGolf fundraiser showed how non-traditional formats can create inclusive events with real impact.
“We hosted a TopGolf event to be more inclusive for patient families, children, and those who don’t golf. By doing so, the event attracted a number of families who wouldn’t be able to afford or otherwise support a traditional golf outing. The Play It Forward donation was put to immediate use supporting families.”
Caryl Harris, Co-Founder and Executive Director at Avery’s Hope
2022: Sisters Across America and Make-A-Wish Foundation
Sisters Across America helps young minority women pursue professional golf, and Make-A-Wish funds life-changing wishes for critically ill children in the Philadelphia, Delaware, and Susquehanna Valley regions.
2021: Cameron Steinberg Foundation
The Foundation honors the memory of Cameron Steinberg, who passed away at two months old from a congenital heart defect. Her parents launched the foundation and golf fundraiser to support research and families affected by CHD.
“Play It Forward helped jumpstart our work with local hospital heart centers to help improve the journey of kids and their families when impacted by a congenital heart defect.”
Sam Steinberg, Founder at Cameron Steinberg Foundation
Nominate Your Favorite Golf Event
If a golf tournament has made a difference for a cause you care about, this is the chance to tell its story. Every nomination helps underscore the impact golf has on the work of nonprofits and charities.
key dates
August 1, 2026: Nomination period opens
September 30, 2026: Nomination deadline
December 1, 2026 (Giving Tuesday): Winner announced
The winners will be announced via press release and across GolfStatus’ and Dormie Network’s social media platforms, so follow along for updates.