2026 Growth of the Game Grant

Growth of the Game Grant

PGA REACH Carolinas Foundation
The PGA REACH Carolinas Growth of the Game Grant is designed to empower PGA Professionals and Associates in their efforts to grow the game of golf while fostering inclusion across North and South Carolina. This grant program supports initiatives that align with the three pillars of the PGA REACH Foundation: Youth Player Development, Military Initiatives, and Inclusion.

Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for funding, applicants must:
- Be a PGA Professional or Associate in good standing within the Carolinas Section.
- Propose a program, event, or initiative that supports at least one of the three REACH pillars.
- Demonstrate measurable impact within their local community, with a particular focus on promoting access, inclusivity, and engagement.
Funding Categories
Grants will be awarded to programs falling under the following categories:

Youth Player Development
Support for initiatives that:
- Introduce the game to young golfers through clinics, leagues, and camps.
- Provide equipment, instruction, or access to facilities for underserved youth populations.
- Promote ongoing skill development, mentorship, and engagement in the sport.
Military Initiatives
Support for initiatives that:
- Offer golf as a form of recreation, rehabilitation, or therapy for veterans and active military members.
- Include family engagement opportunities for military families.
- Partner with local VA hospitals, military bases, or veteran organizations.
Inclusion
Support for initiatives that:
- Engage underrepresented populations, including women, minorities, and individuals with disabilities.
- Create golf programs designed for schools, community centers, or organizations serving diverse communities.
- Provide scholarships or resources to reduce financial barriers to participation in the sport.
Additional information about Funding Guidlines, Ineligibile Programs, Timeline, Post-Grant Reporting, & more can be found HERE.

PGA REACH Carolinas Grant Scoring System
This scoring system will be used by the PGA REACH Committee to assess the impact of each grant application and determine the level of funding each program should receive. Applications will be scored on a 50-point scale based on the following criteria:

Scoring Breakdown:
Category/Points
Community Impact - 10
Alignment with REACH Pillars - 10
Number of Participants Reached - 5
Sustainability & Growth Potential - 10
Budget Justification & Financial Need - 10
Recognition & Community Support - 5
Total Possible Points: 50

1. Community Impact (10 Points)
10 Points – Serves a large and diverse population, including underrepresented groups, with a clear, measurable impact.
8 Points – Serves a significant number of participants with a strong plan for engagement and inclusivity.
6 Points – Serves a moderate number of participants with some community outreach but limited inclusivity.
4 Points – Serves a smaller group with limited community engagement.
2 Points – Unclear or minimal impact on the community.

2. Alignment with REACH Pillars (10 Points)
10 Points – Strong alignment with one or more pillars and clear strategies to promote growth of the game.
8 Points – Good alignment with at least one pillar and some efforts toward inclusivity.
6 Points – Aligns with a pillar but lacks a clear strategy for impact.
4 Points – Partial alignment but does not fully address REACH goals.
2 Points – Minimal alignment with the REACH mission.

3. Number of Participants Reached (5 Points)
5 Points – 100+ participants annually.
4 Points – 50-99 participants annually.
3 Points – 25-49 participants annually.
2 Points – 10-24 participants annually.
1 Point – Less than 10 participants annually.

4. Sustainability & Growth Potential (10 Points)
10 Points – Clear plan for long-term sustainability and growth beyond the grant funding.
8 Points – Some plans for continuation but may need further support.
6 Points – Good program structure but limited growth potential.
4 Points – Program relies entirely on grant funding with no long-term strategy.
2 Point – No sustainability plan provided.

5. Budget Justification & Financial Need (10 Points)
10 Points – Well-documented budget with a clear, justified use of funds to maximize impact.
8 Points – Budget is reasonable and well-organized, with most expenses aligned with program goals.
6 Points – Budget provided but lacks detail or justification.
4 Points – Budget has inconsistencies or includes unnecessary expenses.
2 Points – Budget is unclear or missing key details.

6. Recognition & Community Support (5 Points)
5 Points – Program has received national or regional recognition and has strong community partnerships.
4 Points – Recognized locally and supported by community partners.
3 Points – Some recognition and community involvement.
2 Points – Limited outside recognition or support.
1 Point – No recognition or community partnerships.

Basic information

Please fill out the below information.
Full Name*

First NameMiddle Initial Last Name
PGA Member ID*
12345678
E-mail*
example@example.com
Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number
Facility/Organization Name*
Facility/Organization Address*

Street Address

Apt/Suite #

CityState

Postal / Zip CodeCountry

Questionare

Please answer the questions to the best of your ability.
Program Title
What is the name of your proposed program or initiative?
YouthMilitaryInclusion
Program Description*
Provide a detailed description of your program.
Community Impact*
How does your program promote growth of the game and benefit your community? What specific underserved or underrepresented populations does your program engage? How does your program help develop skills and values of its participants?
Participant Numbers Annually*
Estimate the total number of participants and describe their demographics (e.g., age range, gender, military status, etc.).
$500$1,000$1,500$2,000
Grant Budget/Usage*
Specifically, how will the grant funds be used? List key expenses & their cost. Grants will be provided from $500-$2,000.
If awarded partial funding, would your program still run? If yes, how would you adjust your plan?*
Has your program been recognized Nationally, Regionally, or Locally? If yes, please provide details*
i.e. Awards, Achievements, Certifications, Publications
Proposed Schedule of Programming for this year

Supporting Documents to be Considered
The following documents may be uploaded to support your application:
- Sample lesson plans
- Promotional materials
- Testimonials
- Photos
- Program budget(s)
- Private donations list
- Additional funding sources
Supporting Documents to be Considered*

Cancelof
Information can also be listed here:

YesNo
I Agree
Thank you for your commitment to growing the game of golf and fostering inclusivity in your community. We appreciate the time you’ve taken to apply for the Carolinas PGA REACH "Growth of the Game" Grant and look forward to reviewing your application.

If you have any questions, please contact the Carolinas PGA REACH Foundation team. Thank you for making a difference in the game of golf!
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Growth of the Game Grant

Basic information

Questionare

Supporting Documents to be Considered