Some of the world’s best senior golfers will return to Richmond for the Dominion Energy Charity Classic Oct. 20-23.
Long after a winner claims a share of the $2.2 million purse in the first of three PGA TOUR Champions playoff events to crown the Charles Schwab Cup champion, the Richmond community will feel the effects of the annual golf tournament.
Birdies for Charity is a fundraising platform that gives participating charities an opportunity to solicit contributions before and during the tournament – with a bonus 10% supplied by the PGA TOUR. Presented by TowneBank, the program will benefit more than 150 local nonprofits this year.
Since the tournament started in Richmond in 2016, it has generated more than $7.3 million for nonprofits in the Richmond region.
“With their missions to make a positive impact on the community, the Birdies program and the Dominion Energy Charity Classic are aligned with our own intentional efforts to promote social, cultural, and economic growth in the communities we serve,” said Pat Collins, president of TowneBank Richmond, in a release.
According to Kaitlin Luccarelli, community outreach coordinator for the Dominion Energy Charity Classic, the goal is to generate $1.35 million through the Birdies for Charity program this year. Luccarelli serves as the liaison between the local nonprofits and the Birdies program.
“Some nonprofits are doing great on their own, and they’ve really figured out how to best solicit their donors,” Luccarelli said. “Others may need some assistance setting up their program, or need guidance on reaching out to donors. There’s a lot of communication with new organizations to help them with the structure of the program. I really do try to reach out to every single nonprofit and make myself available.”
SwimRVA, Virginians for Veterans, Bon Secours Richmond Health Care Foundation, Richmond Ballet and the Louisa Arts Center were the top five donation-generating charities that participated in Birdies during the 2021 tournament.
For more information about the tournament and Birdies for Charity program, visit www.deccgolf.com.
