Wise Giving Wednesday: Key Tips for Organizing a Charity Golf Event

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calendar icon Aug 06, 2025

With summer in full “swing,” many charities take advantage of golf fundraisers to lure in big bucks from wealthy donors. Charities from large cancer groups to local arts groups can benefit from these events with proper planning and reasonable expectations.  In this week’s Wise Giving Wednesday, we take a look at a few of the things to keep in mind before you tee off.

Plan Ahead and Secure the Course Early

Charities considering hosting a charity golf event need to plan ahead. Look to secure a golf course a minimum of 6 months in advance, if not more. Organizations will also need time to work with the golf course operators concerning coordination and logistics. Is the golf club going to be responsible for food and drink or does the charity need to contact outside vendors? Are there any club rules that charity staff, volunteers and participants need to know about?

Build a Realistic Budget and Consider Sponsorships

Once a charity has secured a course, begin considering all of the elements that go into hosting a successful event. There are meals, greens fees, carts and caddies. Think about swag, gifts for participants, and action items that might be added to those costs. A potential revenue source for charities is looking for outside funding from corporate sponsors. If you’ve ever tuned into the Masters or other major golf tournaments, you’ll see different corporate logos on the shirts and hats of the players. Corporations are similarly willing to sponsor charity events in exchange for publicity such as well-placed advertisements. And what golfer doesn’t want a new hat or golf polo for their next 18?

Be Transparent About Donations and Fees

Charities should make it clear to golf participants and others how their event entry fee will be distributed to the charity. This goes for any merchandise, food sales, auction items, or other goods or services sold to benefit the charity.  Disclosures should be clear about the estimated or anticipated portion of these fees and/or purchases that will benefit the charity. Watch out for vague statements such as “net proceeds” will go to the charity.

Leverage Volunteers and Special Guests

Golf events often rely on help from volunteers. Handing out merchandise, serving food and drinks, coordinating tee times and making sure charitable golfers have everything they need to have a good day on the course are just a few of the ways volunteers can help an event run smoothly. These participants are paying hundreds of dollars, if not much more, to play in these events and expect first-class service. Volunteers can help ensure these events run as smoothly as possible so they’ll want to come back next summer too. Again, reach out to donors early and often. Incentives such as golf balls, clothing, or a photo op with any celebrity participants can never hurt.

Where possible, reach out to celebrities or professional golfers that might have an interest in your charity and would like to make a voluntary appearance. Everyone has issues that hit close to home, and special guests can draw interest to these events.

Start Small and Learn from Experience

Putting on a charity golf event can be a complicated task. Starting with a smaller golf event may help charities unfamiliar with the terrain and seeking to work out the kinks. Also, search for resources and guidance such as a charity with previous experience hosting charitable golfing tournaments.

Whether best ball or a scramble, adequate preparation is key to success in hosting a golf event to raise funds for charities.

Recent Reports

We are always working with charities to publish or update reports for donors. Visit Give.org or local BBBs to check out any charity before giving. Our recently evaluated charities include:

Finally, remember to let us know by going to give.org/charity-inquiry if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.