Have you ever planned a non profit golf scramble?

jackncokejen: Have you ever planned a non profit golf scramble?
I am looking for tips in planning a non profit golf scramble this summer to benefit special needs children w/ no diagnosis. Often these children’s insurance runs out and they have to stop therapy. I am not sure if I need to designate a charity or if I can raise the money and disperse myself. Any tips on the golf portion or the financial side would truly be appreciated. Thanks!

Answers and Views:

Answer by Mel M
I’ve been planning golf outing fundraisers for 20+ years. If you want to raise money for a specific charity, you need to contact the organization and see how they would like to handle it. Raising money and distributing it to some charities does not qualify as a non-profit event.

We used to raise a lot of money at our golf outing, but during the past couple years the amount we raise has declined. There are fewer golfers and sponsors who are able to participate. There are a couple ways to make money. First is to charge a higher price for the round of golf than it actually costs, with the difference being a donation to the non-profit organization. Second, ask local businesses to sponsor the holes, prize contests, give-aways. etc. We generate most of our money from sponsorships. Third, you can have the golfers raise money as a team to compete for a prize. The golfers can ask friends and family to donate money in support of their team, then the team that raises the most money would receive a prize which could be public recognition instead of a physical award. There are lots of books and how-to guides online that will provide checklists that are helpful.

Hope this helps. Good luck!

Answer by Jayne says READ MORE BOOKS
Creating or Holding a Successful Community Event
or Fund Raising Event
https://www.coyotecommunications.com/stuff/events.html
You have to designate the charity, and all donations need to go DIRECTLY to that charity, not through you, unless by written agreement. If you accept this money and disperse it yourself, it’s income, and you have to report it on your taxes as income, even if you give it all away.

Answer by Cory Lakes
My Name is Nick LeBlanc I am a CPGA Professional in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. And the first answer is so true, be sure to contact an administrator or function organizer for the charity in question. You can run into some legality issues if you do not contact them and ask for approval to promote their organization.

As far as getting prizes and donations for the charitable event, this takes an extreme amount of networking and marketing, if you have a good cause and a quality venue, this should not be too difficult, however, this all cost a lot of money. Ask municipal golf courses on their policies for running these sort of events…