In the spring of 2020, the Oregon Guild Giving Golf Tournament Committee faced a tough decision — try to execute the 5th annual golf tournament with limited attendance and no banquet, or cut expenses altogether by cancelling the tournament and appealing to supporters for direct donations towards the three charities originally slated to benefit by the event. They chose the later in the hopes that the regular golf sponsors and attendees would be generous for the cause of community alone.
The risk paid off! By running an email and word of mouth campaign, Guild’s Oregon branches, employees, friends and relatives, with the support of the Guild Giving Foundation, were able to raise $25,000, $8,600 per charity.
“These funds are badly needed and greatly appreciated,” said Tor Ostrom, Director of Business Engagement for Habitat for Humanity Portland/Metro East, who will use the funds for an ongoing construction project at the intersection of N Interstate Ave and N Kilpatrick St in Portland, as well as two new projects which are underway in NE and SE Portland.
Jennifer Solomon, Director of Philanthropy at Relief Nursery, echoed the appreciation. “This really is huge for us and we are deeply grateful,” she said. In addition to the funds raised through the region’s outreach, tournament sponsors such as First American Title, had also contacted them directly to donate after the event was called off.
As they have in former years, Raphael House of Portland used their Guild Giving gift funds to elicit a match at their gala fundraiser in mid-October. “We were/are so excited and grateful and your amazing support was front and center during our special appeal at the gala! Was such an honor to feature that, and we truly cannot begin to thank you enough,” said Amanda Ives, Donor and External Relations Manager of Raphael House of Portland.
While far from the $80,000 raised through the tournament last year, this year’s fundraiser showed that the generosity of the Oregon region can stand on it’s own, though everyone looks forward to celebrating on a beautiful September day on the greens again. Keep an eye on our website for updates on next year’s event!
