Case Study: Hosting a Golf Tournament for
Fundraising and Recruitment
Project Brief
A non-profit organization aimed to host a golf tournament to achieve three primary goals:
- Raise funds for the group and a foundation they support.
- Recruit new members to grow their organization.
- Provide a high-quality experience for members, guests, and invitees.
The Challenge
To meet their goals, the non-profit faced several challenges:
- Venue Selection: The tournament needed to be held at a premier private golf course to attract participants. The course had to accommodate 36–56 players to ensure smooth play.
- Event Logistics: The event required:
- Lunch, drinks throughout the day, cocktails, appetizers, and a small dinner.
- Prizes, SWAG, signage, entertainment, insurance, and administrative costs.
- Sponsorship: To fund the event, sponsorships were necessary. This required:
- Generating a list of potential sponsors.
- Reaching out to these sponsors to secure commitments and determine sponsorship amounts.
- Budget Management: A comprehensive budget needed to account for all event-related expenses.
The Solution
Phase 1: Securing the Venue
- Multiple courses were contacted with detailed information about the non-profit, the event goals, and the guest list.
- A country club was secured that met all requirements, including exclusivity, capacity, and amenities.
Phase 2: Sponsorship Acquisition
- A targeted list of potential sponsors was created.
- Outreach efforts successfully secured several sponsors, covering the costs of the course, food, and other budgeted expenses.
Phase 3: Event Planning and Execution
- Invitations were sent via email and calendar invites to ensure maximum participation.
- 52 participants registered for the event, meeting the desired player count.
- The event included a full day of golf, food, drinks, and a post-tournament cocktail hour with a small dinner.
Phase 4: Fundraising Success
- After covering all costs, the remaining revenue was donated to the foundation, achieving the primary fundraising goal.
Results
- Successful Fundraising: Sponsorships and participant fees covered all event expenses, with additional revenue donated to the foundation.
- High-Quality Event: The exclusive venue and well-organized schedule provided an enjoyable experience for all attendees.
- Membership Growth: The event served as a successful recruitment opportunity, attracting new interest in the non-profit organization.
Conclusion
This golf tournament demonstrated the power of strategic planning and execution in achieving multiple objectives. By securing the right venue, engaging sponsors, and delivering a memorable event, the non-profit was able to raise funds, grow its membership, and strengthen its community impact.
