I have been worked in the Non-profit arena for the past 20 years as the Executive Director, President, Chairman of the Board, Tournament Director, Janitor, receptionist and salesman of my own charity golf tournament. I know first hand what charity groups go through to raise funds for their favorite charity. My non-profit tax exempt organization is Screen Door Open Charity Golf. The purpose and mission of the SDO is to raise funds for Junior Golf Programs that reach kids of all ages on a consistent basis in teaching them everything about the game of golf. Each year it gets tougher to find the energy to face off all of the cynics of golf to raise funds for thee programs.
But, I am not writing today about the SDO, just the challenges the SDO has in common with charity groups that use golf events as a fundraiser. The challenge all charity golf events face has to do with the last word in my non-profit’s name..GOLF. Let’s get real..Golf today has been really beat up by the media and business world as an activity only the crooks of the world play. It truly is a shame nothing can change many people’s minds to realize this information just is not true.
Again, I am not writing this to address the issues golf faces, but to address what has taken place this week to help charity golf events overcome their fundraising challenge and something that really helps GOLF.
What took place this week was the launch of Give Through Golf. GTG is offering charity golf events, or event non-golf events, an alternative fundraiser which interests not just golfers but anyone who is a supporter of the charities cause. GTG has taken the very popular Helicopter Ball Drop concept and converted the real drop into a Virtual version. Everything is the same in the process of using the original REAL Helicopter Ball Drop, just with less cost and headaches.
The Fact of the matter is, what makes the GTG Virtual Ball Drop better is there is no upfront costs or complicated logistics to raising the funds, rounding up the prizes and producing the actual Ball Drop. Weather does not cancel the Virtual Ball Drop, so the GTG Virtual Ball Drop is actually a better way to go.
Here is how it works:
It is a very simple process:
- You sign your charity event up with Give Through Golf Virtual Ball Drop.
- GTG builds a web presence for the non-profit organization on their site where the charity organization can send your supporters to participate in the Virtual Ball Drop.
- Supporters participate in the Virtual Ball Drop by purchasing a ball for $20.
- GTG holds the funds collected in escrow in the charity’s account
- 24 Hours before the designated date of the Virtual Ball Drop the collections are cut off.
- The Virtual Ball Drop is conducted via link to the GTG site so all participants can view it individually or as a group at the event.
- The person who bought the ball that landed closest to the Pin is the winner.
- The NET proceeds of the funds raised are transferred to the Charity Group and the celebration of a stress free highly successful fund raising effort begins.
What does the winner of the Ball Drop win?
Well can you spell Lexus? Yes, first prize, or the ball that is closest to the hole wins a New Lexus*. Yes, a New car. Then there is a package of other exciting prizes for the runner ups.
Kinda Cool, isn’t it. Believe me, this is the shot in the arm golf and charity golf needs.
Where to get more info
But don’t take my word for it. Contact Vito Berlingeri with PGA of America Southwest Section office and ask Vito how they are going to use this method of fundraising as their a main fundraiser for their community’s charities.
Then contact Dave Bisbee of Give Through Golf to answer him any question you may have and to sign your charity event up for this amazing fundraiser.
Check out GTG, give Dave a call..or if you want to chat with me on what I see in this opportunity through the eyes of a non-profit Executive Director I would be more than happy to fill you in on all the other possibilities this fundraiser I see it can offer.
Let me know how I can help.
* The GTG Virtual Ball Drop Win a Lexus Package is based on GTG’s 20,000 min ball sold program. Lesser minimum ball sold programs are available, but do not include the Lexus prize.
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