by Jen Wemhoff, Communications Manager at GolfStatus

Not every sponsor can financially support your charity golf tournament. While monetary sponsorships are important, in-kind donations can open the door to a whole different set of supporters. These contributions stretch your event budget while adding real, tangible value to the golfer experience.

Think about it—a local sporting goods store donating golf balls for player gift bags, a hotel offering a weekend stay for your auction, or a print shop covering the cost of the event banners. None of that requires businesses to get out their credit card or checkbook, but it all adds up to real savings for your organization and real excitement for your golfers on tournament day.

If you haven’t built in-kind donations into your sponsorship strategy, here’s what you need to know, plus a closer look at where they can make the biggest impact for golf events.

Frequently Asked Questions About In-Kind Donations

What are in-kind donations?

In-kind donations are any contribution that isn’t cash, like goods, services, or expertise, given in place of a monetary gift. These donations are especially attractive to businesses because they don’t require juggling budgets or considering cash flow to make them happen. A company might have excess inventory it’s looking to move or may have already allocated its charitable budget for the year but still want to support your cause. In-kind donations give them an easy, low-friction way to say yes when a financial contribution isn’t possible.

In-kind donations for your golf tournament can be any gift that isn’t monetary—like goods, services, or expertise.

How Can I Use In-Kind Donations for My Golf Tournament?

In-kind gifts can show up almost anywhere in your tournament, from player gift bags to auction items to the food and drinks served on the course or after the round. It’s important to keep in mind that in-kind donations can still be considered sponsorships, particularly if they have a significant monetary value; they’re simply paid in goods or services instead of dollars. These contributions deserve the same level of recognition as other sponsors. For example, if a restaurant donates boxed lunches, recognize them on your event website and printed materials as the Lunch Sponsor.

How Can In-Kind Donations Help Raise More Money From My Golf Tournament?

In-kind donations often replace tournament items you’d otherwise have to pay for out of your event funds. Instead of spending hundreds or thousands of dollars of tournament revenue on hard tournament costs, they’re covered by the in-kind gift, leaving more dollars for your cause

Some in-kind gifts, like high-end auction items or attractive player gifts, might even help drive more registrations, filling your field and boosting overall revenue. Most commonly, in-kind donations show up as raffle prizes, pin prizes, player gifts, and auction items, but the possibilities go well beyond that.

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Dormie Network Foundation

is committed to supporting nonprofits by offering in-kind donations of national golf membership and Stay and Play Packages. These high-end donations can help raise thousands of dollars for your cause.

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How Do I Ask for In-Kind Donations?

Approach in-kind asks the same way you would any other support request: make a formal, specific ask, and follow up if you don’t get a response. Start with businesses your organization already has a relationship with for the best chance of a response, but don’t be afraid to make cold asks, too. If a business turns down a monetary sponsorship, shift the ask to any in-kind contribution instead.

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Pro Tip:

Consider reaching out to the sponsors who are already committed to see if they have any promotional items they would be willing to donate for player gift bags or raffle items. They get additional exposure, and you get another chance to boost revenue.

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SPONSOR REQUEST & FOLLOW UP Template

If reaching out to prospective golf tournament sponsors feels daunting, don’t stress! These customizable templates are ready-made starting points for your event.

Download the Templates

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Golf Tournament In-Kind Donation Ideas

Once you know in-kind gifts are on the table, the next question is where to put them to work. Here’s a closer look at the areas where they tend to have the biggest impact, along with examples to help you decide which businesses and corporate partners to approach.

Player Gift Bags

Gift bags are one of the easiest places to start, since most businesses have some kind of branded product on hand and available. Even small items add up to a gift bag that feels far more valuable than its actual cost to your organization.

• A golf shop might donate tees, ball markers, golf balls, or divot tools

• A local restaurant or brewery might donate koozies, bottle openers, or free drink vouchers

• An apparel store might donate hats, sunglasses, or T-shirts

Pin and Contest Prizes

Pin prizes and on-course contests are a natural fit for in-kind donations. They double as a marketing opportunity for the donor, whose brand is seen at the hole the entire day. They can also be a draw for golfers!

• A sporting goods store might donate a golf bag or putter for a closest-to-the-pin contest

• A car dealership might sponsor a hole-in-one contest and the prize of a new car

• A retailer might donate gift cards for a longest drive or putting contest

• The pro shop at the golf facility might donate apparel, gift cards, or free rounds for on-course game winners

Auction and Raffle Items

Auctions and raffles are where in-kind gifts really shine. When items are donated through an in-kind gift, there’s no overhead cost to your organization—meaning more funds go to your cause. Local businesses of all sizes can contribute here, from electronics to experiences, and each item gives golfers another reason to open their wallets for your cause.

• A resort or hotel might donate a weekend getaway

• A restaurant group might donate a bundle of gift cards

• A spa might donate a package of services

• A coffee shop might donate branded coffee mugs and bagged coffee

• A liquor store might donate bottles of nice wine

• A local artist might donate a framed print or photograph

Raffle prizes and auction items are a great use of in-kind donations, driving pure revenue for your mission.

Food and Beverage

Feeding a field of golfers is one of a tournament’s biggest expenses, which makes it a prime target for 1. a monetary sponsorship or 2. in-kind support. In exchange, recognize them prominently—on your event website, at the bar, and in your program—as the corresponding sponsor.

• A caterer might cover the post-round meal

• A brewery or distributor might donate kegs or bottles for the course or reception

• A grocery store might donate snacks at the turn

Professional Services

Not every in-kind donation is a physical item. Expert services can help elevate your golf tournament, save your organization real money, and often come from businesses that perhaps wouldn’t have otherwise considered sponsoring your event.

• A design agency might donate logo work or event branding at no cost

• A local PR firm might help distribute your press release or handle media outreach

• A local marketing agency might help with advertising campaigns

• A print shop might donate the cost of banners or programs

Final Thoughts & Next Steps

A well-rounded approach to in-kind giving can touch nearly every part of your tournament, cutting costs while giving golfers and sponsors more to get excited about.

When you’re ready to ask, be specific about what you need. A vague “any donation helps” can result in items your event (or organization) can’t use, while a specific request like “144 ball markers for player gift bags” is much easier for businesses to evaluate and say yes to. You might also list open in-kind opportunities directly on your event website, so interested businesses can see exactly what’s needed and sign up on their own.

In-kind donations can’t replace your tournament’s cash sponsorships, but they’re one of the easiest ways to stretch your budget, forge relationships with local businesses, and give golfers more to look forward to on tournament day.

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Raise More Money With GolfStatus

GolfStatus’ exclusive sponsorships, built-in fundraising tools, and tournament add-ons can help you raise more money for your cause. Plus, the platform’s time-saving automations and tournament management tools ensure you spend less time dealing with spreadsheets and bouncing between platforms and more time stewarding donors, selling sponsorships, and making your tournament unforgettable. Click below to get started with GolfStatus at no upfront cost and get a free event website in less than a week.

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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

Learn More | Watch a Video

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

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2024: Coalition For Kids (C4K)

Read More | Watch a Video

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

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2023: Avery’s Hope

Read More

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

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2022: Sisters Across America and Make-A-Wish Foundation

Read More

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.

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2021: Cameron Steinberg Foundation

Read More | Watch a Video

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

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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.

GolfStatus: Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, YouTube

Dormie Network: Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, YouTube

Every year, the Play It Forward campaign highlights one thing we believe in deeply at GolfStatus: that golf has extraordinary giving power. Whether it’s a local nonprofit hosting its very first charity golf tournament or a national organization rallying supporters around their mission, golf events continue to fuel meaningful impact in communities everywhere.

In 2025, the Play It Forward campaign celebrated nonprofits harnessing golf to raise mission-critical dollars. Over 1,500 nominations were submitted, with Hope Strengthens Foundation being selected as the winner of a $10,000 donation to its annual charity golf tournament.

Hope Strengthens Foundation provides financial assistance to patients and their families so they can focus on their treatment and recovery.

a mission rooted in support & Strength

Founded in 2010, Hope Strengthens Foundation provides critical financial assistance to individuals and families navigating life-threatening illness, disability, or recovery from a traumatic injury. From covering medical expenses and accessing specialized recovery equipment to supporting students pursuing healthcare careers, Hope Strengthens Foundation steps in when financial barriers stand in the way of healing and progress.

Hope Strengthens Foundation works with hospital partners to identify patients in need of assistance.

As Hope Strengthens Foundation’s Executive Director, Jacob Ferreira, shared, the $10,000 Play It Forward donation will have an immediate and meaningful impact.

“This incredible donation will allow Hope Strengthens Foundation to immediately provide critical support to patients and families facing health challenges and long treatment journeys.”

In addition to the cash donation, Hope Strengthens Foundation will receive a Dormie Network Stay and Play package, which will be leveraged as an auction item at their annual golf fundraiser—driving even more support for families and patients in need.

The Hope Strengthens Foundation's annual charity golf outing raises critical funds to power its mission, engage supporters, and thank donors.

powered by partnership: golfstatus & dormie network foundation

Play It Forward is presented in partnership with Dormie Network, a national collection of private destination golf clubs, and Dormie Network Foundation, which amplifies impact through charitable giving. Together with GolfStatus, this partnership advances a shared commitment to uplift the nonprofits, volunteers, and organizers who use golf as a force for good.

Each year, the Play It Forward nominations underline how charity golf events are transforming communities in positive ways, funding after-school programs, medical research, wish-granting campaigns, and more.

2025 runner-up: family promise of Roanoke

This year’s runner-up, the Mark Donihe Memorial Golf Tournament, hosted by Family Promise of Roanoke, also received a tournament boost: a complimentary hole-in-one contest insurance package. Adding a hole-in-one contest to their event will help unlock additional sponsorship value and give golfers a memorable on-course experience, all while raising money for their mission to empower homeless families with children to achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response.

Family Promise of Roanoke’s Mark Donihe Memorial Golf Tournament raises money to empower homeless families to achieve independence.

celebrating past impact

Since launching in 2021, Play It Forward has recognized nonprofits making an impact through golf and donated $50,000 to help power nonprofit missions:

• 2024 – Coalition For Kids (C4K): Supporting more than 1,200 students in northwest Tennessee through after-school and evening programs. Watch Video

• 2023 – Avery’s Hope: Providing financial assistance to rare and ultra-rare pediatric GI patient families, using inclusive fundraising formats like Topgolf events.

• 2022 – Sisters Across America & Make-A-Wish Foundation: Supporting minority women pursuing professional golf and granting wishes for children with critical illnesses.

• 2021 – Cameron Steinberg Foundation: Funding congenital heart defect research through an annual golf event created in memory of Cameron Steinberg. Watch Video

The Play It Forward winners demonstrate the remarkable range of causes that can be supported by charity golf tournaments.

Why Play It Forward Matters

At its core, Play It Forward is a celebration of the nonprofit leaders, volunteers, board members, donors, and golfers who help make golf fundraisers successful. The campaign recognizes not just a single winning organization, but the collective movement of people using golf to change lives and make an impact.

Hope Strengthens Foundation’s commitment to supporting families during their most challenging moments is just one example of the mission-driven work GolfStatus is proud to be part of. By elevating tournaments with additional visibility, dollars, and resources, GolfStatus is working to help amplify their impact and honor the thousands of others who continue to use golf for good.

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Golf for Good With GolfStatus

GolfStatus is committed to making charity golf tournaments more impactful, efficient, and accessible for organizations of all sizes. Through best-in-class technology, industry-leading support, give-back opportunities like Play It Forward, and tools to raise more money, GolfStatus is helping nonprofits leverage golf’s giving power. You can get started with GolfStatus at no upfront cost. Book a meeting with our golf fundraising experts to learn more!

GolfStatus is proud to team up once again with Dormie Network and Dormie Network Foundation for Play It Forward 2025, a one-of-a-kind campaign celebrating the incredible impact of golf fundraisers and the organizations and passionate people behind them.

Now in its fifth year, Play It Forward puts a well-deserved spotlight on the nonprofits and charitable organizations that use golf to fuel their missions, and you’re invited to be part of it.

From August 1 to September 30, you can nominate a charity golf tournament you love, whether you’re an organizer, participant, sponsor, volunteer, or supporter. One deserving golf fundraiser will receive a $10,000 donation, and the person who nominated it will score a Dormie Network Stay and Play package, good for a two-day, one-night golf getaway at one of its exclusive private destination clubs.

It’s a win-win for golf and for the thousands of golf tournaments hosted each year to raise mission-critical funds for nonprofits and charitable causes doing good. Eligible events can be hosted by a nonprofit or a third party that benefits a charity and include traditional 18-hole tournaments, TopGolf events, mini golf fundraisers, or anything in between.

“Play It Forward is about recognizing the everyday heroes who harness the game of golf to create real, lasting impact in their communities,” says Brian Schenk, Chief Philanthropy Officer at Dormie Network Foundation. “We’re honored to support the organizations doing this important work and to celebrate the tournaments that help make it possible.”

Briggs Ranch in San Antonio, Texas is one of Dormie Network’s exclusive destination golf clubs.

THE IMPACT SO FAR

Since launching in 2021, Play It Forward has contributed $50,000 to organizations using golf to power positive impact and change:

2024: Coalition 4 Kids

C4K supports over 1,200 vulnerable students in northwest Tennessee, offering after-school and evening programs in one of the area’s most underserved communities. Funds from its annual C4K Golf Classic help students achieve academic, physical, social, and spiritual growth.

2023: Avery's Hope

Avery’s Hope assists families of children living with rare and undiagnosed GI conditions. Its TopGolf fundraiser creates a more inclusive event for the families they serve, highlighting how alternative golf fundraisers can also make a huge impact.

2022: Sisters Across America and Make-A-Wish Foundation

Sisters Across America supports young minority women pursuing professional golf, while Make-A-Wish’s Pro-Am for Wishes helps grant life-changing experiences to critically ill children across the Philadelphia, Delaware, and Susquehanna Valley regions.

2021: Cameron Steinberg Foundation

Founded in memory of Cameron Steinberg, who passed away from a congenital heart defect at two months old, the foundation launched by her parents has raised over $200,000 for CHD research and family support through golf fundraisers.

Let’s Play It Forward Together!

Golf tournaments don’t just raise funds—they build communities, raise awareness, and inspire change. Play It Forward 2025 is your opportunity to help one of those tournaments make an even greater impact.

key dates

• August 1, 2025: Nomination period opens

• September 30, 2025: Nomination deadline

• December 2, 2025 (Giving Tuesday): Winner announced

The winners will be announced in a press release and on GolfStatus’ and Dormie Network’s social media platforms, so be sure to follow along for updates.

GolfStatus: Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, YouTube

Dormie Network: Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, YouTube

Coalition 4 Kids, a Tennessee-based nonprofit that serves vulnerable youth in low-income, high crime areas, has been chosen as the winner of a $10,000 donation as part of GolfStatus’ 2024 Play it Forward giveaway.

For the fourth year, the giveaway was presented in partnership with Dormie Network, a collection of luxury, private destination golf clubs, and its charitable arm, Dormie Network Foundation. The goal of Play It Forward is to celebrate those who use golf for good. Golfers, nonprofits, and the general public were asked to nominate a golf tournament fundraiser for a $10,000 donation, and the nominator was entered to win a Stay and Play package from Dormie Network.

Empowering Kids

Coalition 4 Kids began in 1998, offering after school and evening activities for vulnerable children in one of the lowest-income and highest crime areas in Johnson City, Tennessee. Since then, the organization has expanded into all Washington County and Bristol, Tennessee schools, providing a nurturing environment for over 1,200 students every day to achieve academic, physical, spiritual, and social growth. Its annual golf fundraiser, The C4K Golf Classic, helps raise operational costs for their programming.

The annual C4K Golf Classic helps raise funds for the organization's after school and summer programming.

Executive Director Randy Hensley says the $10,000 donation will immediately be put towards supporting and serving under-resourced children after-school. “We are the safety net for these kids—their family, their education system, their mentor,” he says about their program that provides help with homework, math, reading, character building, spiritual guidance, healthy extra-curricular activities, afternoon snack, and a hot supper—all at no cost to families. “You can change somebody’s whole life if you simply love them where they are and walk with them,” he says.

Golfing for good

Over 700 organizations and golf events were nominated for Play It Forward in 2024. The runner-up, Idaho Golf Fellowship’s Hope House Shamble, received a complimentary hole-in-one contest insurance package from GolfStatus to be used as an additional fundraising opportunity.

Since its inaugural campaign in 2021, Play It Forward has been a hallmark of GolfStatus and Dormie Network’s commitment to give back to those who use golf for good. Past winners include:

• 2023: Avery’s Hope

• 2022: Sisters Across America and Make-A-Wish Foundation

• 2021: Cameron Steinberg Foundation

Nonprofits like Coalition 4 Kids can qualify to use GolfStatus’ golf event management platform at no upfront cost through the Golf for Good program. It’s built just for golf events, with baked-in tools and automations to save busy tournament organizers an average of 40 hours per event and help raise an extra $10,000 or more. There’s no risk and a ton of reward. Click below to learn more and get qualified.

GolfStatus is once again teaming up with its giving partners at Dormie Network and Dormie Network Foundation for the Play It Forward campaign to give back to organizations that are using golf for good.

Now in its fourth year, the campaign is a unique opportunity to “play” it forward. Folks nominate a charity or nonprofit raising money through golf to receive a $10,000 donation to its golf tournament. The nominator of the winning golf event will receive a Dormie Network Stay and Play Package, good for a two-day, one-night stay at one of its private destination golf clubs.

“Play It Forward celebrates golf’s incredible capacity to do good through thousands of charity golf tournaments that raise mission-critical funds for organizations of all types and sizes,” says Brian Schenk, Chief Philanthropy Officer at Dormie Network Foundation. “This campaign demonstrates our companies’ collective, ongoing commitment to moving nonprofit causes forward.”

Ballyhack, one of Dormie Network’s exclusive destination golf clubs, is set against the Blue Ridge Mountains near Roanoke, Virginia.

Past Winners

Play It Forward has contributed $40,000 to four nonprofits since its inception in 2021:

• 2023: Avery's Hope

  Avery’s Hope is an all-volunteer, grassroots organization that provides financial assistance to rare, ultra-rare, and undiagnosed pediatric GI patient families. A Top Golf fundraiser was chosen to be more inclusive for the patients and families the nonprofit serves.

• 2022: Sisters Across America and Make-A-Wish Foundation

  Sisters Across America provides support and mentoring for young minority women pursuing professional golfing careers and teaching juniors to grow the game, raising money through two annual golf fundraisers. Make-A-Wish of Philadelphia, Delaware, and Susquehanna Valley’s Pro-Am for Wishes raises money to grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

• 2021: Cameron Steinberg Foundation

  Created by the parents of Cameron Steinberg, who passed away at just two months old from hypoplastic left heart syndrome, the Foundation raises money for research into congenital heart defects and resources for patients and families. Using golf as its primary fundraising vehicle, the Foundation has raised over $200,000 in four years.

The contest launches May 27 and nominations will be accepted through July 4. Winners will be announced via press release and on GolfStatus’ and Dormie Network’s social media channels by August 31.

Organization Snapshot

Melwood’s six decades of serving those with disabilities began with a small group of parents and community supporters who had a bold idea—to create jobs and training for these individuals. They started by teaching plant care to young adults who were thought to be unemployable, and expanded into workforce development services that teach marketable, useful skills to adults with disabilities and provide a valuable workforce to partner businesses.

Based in the Washington D.C. area, the nonprofit advocates for and empowers individuals with disabilities to trans­form their own lives through unique opportunities to live, work, and thrive in their community. Sarah Boynton, Director of Corporate at Foundation Giving at Melwood, says their approach is individualized for each individual’s goals and to overcome the barriers to employment that they might face. “They have a ton of value in the community and are driven to find their purpose,” she says. “We look for ways to transform their lives through unique opportunities so everyone is included.”

The Challenge

The Melwood Champions Golf Tournament was originally an informal gathering of supporters who loved to golf and donated to support Melwood’s work. When Melwood decided to brand the golf tournament as an official fundraiser, they wanted to increase professionalism and elevate the entire event experience. Melwood’s newly-created fund development team heading up the golf tournament needed a way to easily collect registrations and payments, provide exposure to sponsors, and promote the tournament to its supporters.

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The Solution

GolfStatus offered an all-in-one solution for Melwood’s golf fundraiser, from registration and payment processing to tie-breakers and reporting. The nonprofit qualified for GolfStatus’ Golf for Good program, which gave Sarah and the entire planning team full access to the tournament management platform at no cost. After the first year of using GolfStatus, Sarah said it was a no-brainer to continue with GolfStatus. Beyond the software’s ease-of-use, GolfStatus’ in-house client success team was there to walk Sarah and her team through the software and troubleshoot issues every step of the way.

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“I talked to the support team more times than I care to admit, and they were always reassuring, like ‘We got you, don’t worry.’”

— Sarah Boynton, Director of Corporate and Foundation Giving at Melwood

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The Results

Making Everything Easier

When Sarah came on board with Melwood a few months prior to the 2022 golf tournament, GolfStatus was already in place, thanks to her boss, Heather Sherman, Melwood’s Vice President of Fund Development. An event website was actively collecting registrations and sponsorships as Sarah was tossed into the deep end of planning a golf tournament for the first time.

Thankfully, the GolfStatus client success team quickly got Sarah up to speed on the software, walking her through the back end to make sure she felt comfortable using each feature. “They showed us how to download reports and assign holes and what to send to the pro at the golf course,” Sarah says. She says check-in the morning of the event was super easy thanks to the pre-formatted printouts with all golfer information and team codes.

Online registration spared Sarah and the planning team from having to manually process payments and forms, saving a ton of time. “Having golfers and donors cover the fees really helped get us over our goal,” Sarah says. “As a fundraiser that’s huge.” Registrants could also round up their purchases to raise additional dollars. 

Unlike standard event management platforms, GolfStatus is built specifically for golf events, with tools to manage things like handicaps, flighting, and tie breakers. “I had a panic attack about halfway through the event about breaking ties!” Sarah says. She reached out to the client success team, who reassured her that the system is able to break ties automatically. “That was a relief!”

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“GolfStatus makes it easy for nonprofits to be successful. At the end of the day, that’s why we’re coming back.”

— Sarah Boynton, Director of Corporate and Foundation Giving at Melwood

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Carrying On A Tradition of Generosity

The Melwood Champions Golf Tournament had humble beginnings, starting out as some friends getting together to play golf and raise money for Melwood’s mission. The “Melwood Champions” are a group of longtime supporters and friends of the founding families of Melwood, who have supported the organization’s work for close to 60 years. The Champions led the golf event until the fund development team branded it as an official fundraiser in 2020. Since then, the tournament has grown and flourished, and with the help of GolfStatus, leveled up the event experience and raised even more money. In 2022, the tournament brought in $107,000 and is looking to raise even more for the 2023 event.

Proceeds from the tournament benefit different programs each year. For example, the 2022 golf fundraiser benefited the Camp Accomplish Scholarship Program, which provides financial support to attend the inclusive day and overnight summer camp for all ability levels. The 2023 tournament will raise money for Melwood’s Workforce Development and Career Exploration Programs, which supports over 2,800 individuals with disabilities achieve career goals in the greater Washington D.C. area.

Elevating the Event

GolfStatus clients have access to exclusive add-ons and sponsorships that take their tournaments to the next level. For example, Sarah said they knew they wanted to incorporate a hole-in-one contest to the tournament and were pleased when they discovered GolfStatus’ exclusive contest packages. The planning team originally wrapped the Technology Sponsorship into the tournament’s Title Sponsorship, but saw the premium value in the space and decided to purchase it themselves to provide to a longtime sponsor as a thank you, along with an accompanying stay and play package from the Dormie Network Foundation. “Dormie Network has opportunities to play golf at some pretty awesome places, and that just added to the high-end tournament we’re going for,” Sarah says.

The sale of the Technology Sponsorship combined with the hole-in-one contest also unlocked a cash donation from the Foundation. “The extra products and opportunities for our tournament that GolfStatus offered just made it so easy!” Sarah says. 

Sarah looked for other ways to make the event memorable, adding golfer swag bags with player gifts and items from sponsors (giving them even more brand exposure). They also used GolfStatus’ live scoring to give the tournament a professional touch. Sarah’s not a golfer, but says she lost count how many golfers told her how much they loved the live scoring. Teams would submit their scores via the free GolfStatus mobile app, which synced with live leaderboards that were updated in real-time. Golfers could check standings throughout the round in the app and on the screen in the clubhouse. “We sent golfer information ahead of time about where and how to download the app,” says Sarah, as a way to set them up for success. “Everyone loved how easy it was to keep track throughout the day.”

celebrating Success

Melwood is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2023 and 25 years of Camp Accomplish. “We’re celebrating all things Melwood!” Sarah says, and that the golf tournament is a big part of that celebration and a way to connect with donors and partners. “GolfStatus is a big part of making the golf tournament super successful.”

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Golf for Good

Looking to make your next golf event the best one yet? GolfStatus’ tournament management system streamlines and simplifies prep and planning, and exclusive sponsorships and add-ons help raise thousands more dollars for your cause. Best of all, nonprofits (and organizations hosting golf events that benefit one) can qualify to use GolfStatus at no cost through the Golf for Good program. Click below to learn more and get qualified.

Avery’s Hope, an all-volunteer, grassroots organization that provides financial assistance to rare, ultra rare, and undiagnosed pediatric GI patient families, has been selected as the winner of the 2023 Play It Forward giveaway.

The Play It Forward campaign was held in collaboration with GolfStatus’ giving partners at Dormie Network and Dormie Network Foundation and celebrates organizations using golf to do good. Entrants were asked to nominate a golf tournament fundraiser to receive a $10,000 donation and were entered to win a one-year Dormie Network membership plus $10,000 to spend at the Network’s exclusive golf clubs.

Avery’s Hope’s inaugural TopGolf fundraiser was held June 25, and highlights the inclusive approach of the organization’s support of families with pediatric GI illnesses. Co-founder and executive director, Caryl Harris, says, “This year we hosted at TopGolf to be more inclusive for patient families, children, and those who don’t golf. By doing so, this event attracted a number of families who wouldn’t be able to afford or otherwise support a traditional golf outing.”

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Avery’s Hope is named in honor and celebration of the founders’ grandson, Avery Harris, who was born with microvillus inclusion disease. The rare, genetically-inherited disease is characterized by an inability of the intestines to absorb nutrients. Avery’s grandparents realized how many other kids and their families were suffering, not only with their child’s illness but with the financial burdens, and wanted to make a difference.

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Avery’s Hope has formed partnerships with major national institutions specializing in rare pediatric GI care, including five major children’s hospitals, the National Organization for Rare Disorders, and Patients Rising Now Helpline. The group focuses on alleviating the financial burdens of out-of-pocket and insurance-denied expenses faced by families, which often delay treatment and diminish quality of life.

The $10,000 donation will immediately be put towards supporting families. “Patient assistance organizations don’t always receive the same amount of financial support as those who raise money for research. Avery’s Hope has chosen to help with the immediate needs of families,” says Caryl.

Almost 600 organizations and golf fundraisers were nominated for this year’s giveaway, and two other finalists also received a donated Dormie Network membership to be used for fundraising opportunities: Coventry Reserve and Hope Strengthens Foundation.

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Ready to golf for good?

GolfStatus helps streamline and simplify golf tournaments to help organizations save time and raise more money. Through the Golf for Good program, 501(c) organizations and those holding golf events to benefit a charity can qualify for no-cost access to GolfStatus—including an event website, online registration, live scoring, and much more. Click the button below to find out more and get qualified!

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For the third year, GolfStatus is teaming up with our giving partners at Dormie Network and Dormie Network Foundation for the Play It Forward campaign to celebrate nonprofits and causes who are using golf to do good.

Play It Forward gives individuals the chance to nominate a charity or nonprofit raising money through golf to receive a $10,000 donation to its golf fundraiser, and get the chance to win a one-year honorary membership to Dormie Network (a national network of private golf clubs) plus a $10,000 credit toward onsite golf and lodging.

Designed by famed golf course architect Tom Fazio, Dormie Network’s Victoria National Golf Club boasts gorgeous views amid challenging holes.

nominate your favorite golf fundraiser!

Here’s how to nominate a golf fundraiser for the $10,000 donation (and for you to be eligible for the Dormie Network membership prize):

1. Fill out this form and tell us who you are, who’s organizing the golf fundraiser, and why you think they should receive a $10,000 donation.

2. Follow GolfStatus on social media. Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn

3. Follow Dormie Network on social media. Facebook Instagram Twitter LinkedIn

The campaign launched May 29 and the nomination period closes July 4.

Winners will be announced on GolfStatus and Dormie Network’s social media, so follow both handles for news, updates, and announcements.

past winners

Play It Forward began in 2021, awarding $10,000 to the Cameron Steinberg Foundation and its inaugural golf fundraiser. The annual golf event has raised $100,000 for research into congenital heart disease and to help families affected by these defects.

In 2022, two nonprofits were selected for $10,000 donations: Make-A-Wish Foundation of Philadelphia, Delaware, and Susquehanna Valley and Sisters Across America. Make-A-Wish’s Pro-Am for Wishes raises money to grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses. Sisters Across America provides support and mentoring for young minority women pursuing professional golfing careers and teaching juniors to grow the game, raising money through two annual golf fundraisers.