Combine Forces & Increase Funds with a Joint Golf Tournament

Posted on November 17th, 2014 | Author: | Category: Tournament Tips

Kimberly Senella, Brookside Golf Club, Pasadena, CA

As a non-profit, it’s probable that a golf tournament has been suggested as an idea to raise funds for your cause before. And your response was that, “a golf tournament is too much work” or “we don’t know enough golfers," right?
If that’s the case, then maybe a joint tournament would be a perfect option for you and your charity.

A joint golf tournament allows you to combine forces with one or more other non-profits looking to raise funds and host a tournament together! This option allows all groups involved to host a tournament at a fraction of the risk and effort.

Here are a few of the many benefits of hosting a joint tournament:
- Less Commitment/Risk – Example: Your charity is only responsible for a few foursomes, a few raffle item donations, and a few sponsors instead of all the players, all the sponsors, and all the donations.
- Reward is Based on the Amount You Bring In – You will raise funds based off the amount your charity participates. Sign up more foursomes than originally given as a goal, and raise more for your charity. *See the below example breakdown.
- Potential for Huge Community Involvement – This is great way for organizations and businesses to show support for each other, show the community their commitment to charities, and create a great networking opportunity for all involved.
- Make Sponsors Happy – Desired sponsors in the community now only have to participate in one tournament to support multiple causes, instead of supporting multiple events. This allows their involvement and donation potential to increase.
- Huge Learning Opportunity – This allows you and your non-profit to learn and nail down the process of a golf tournament, and hopefully be able to host your own tournament with ease one day.

So how do you begin planning a joint tournament?
+ Research and reach out to other non-profits that may be interested in combining forces. Tip: It is great if you have the option to combine with like non-profits (e.g., schools with schools, all the non-profits part of one chamber, sports teams with other sports teams)
+ Combine a committee. Assign at least one individual from each non-profit to a committee position. This allows each non-profit to be an important part of the planning process.
+ Pick a date and a course at which to host the tournament.
+ Assign goals for each non-profit (i.e., Non-Profits A, B & C are responsible for “Tier #3” and Non-Profits D & E are responsible for “Tier #1." **See the below example breakdown.
+ Create a budget.
+ Decide how payments & sponsorships will be collected, and how they will be distributed to each non-profit involved post-event.
+ Plan the tournament details: tee time, registration, lunch, dinner, awards, auction, raffle, contests, etc.
+ Create marketing materials, an event website, social media outlets, and begin taking sign-ups, donations & sponsorships.
+ Host a FUN tournament!
+ Split up and share raised funds accordingly.
+ Do it again next year!

Below is a breakdown of how you can assign goals to each non-profit. But remember, the breakdown of funds and responsibilities are completely up to the parties involved.

  • TIER 1
    Minimum of $250 deposit
    Commitment to minimum of (24) golfers
    Commitment to one $500 sponsorship
    Commitment to (5) auction/raffle items
  • TIER 2
    Minimum of $150 deposit
    Commitment to minimum of (16) golfers
    Commitment to one $300 sponsorship
    Commitment to (5) auction/raffle items
  • TIER 3
    Minimum of $100 deposit
    Commitment to minimum of (12) golfers
    Commitment to one $200 sponsorship
    Commitment to (2) auction/raffle items

 

And don’t forget to ask your golf course Tournament Director for help and ideas while giving this a try! This may be a new concept for you and the other non-profits involved, but it is not new to your Tournament Director! They should be happy to share some insight to help make it successful for all parties involved.

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