Encompass Championship Creates New Birdies for Charity Program

The Encompass Championship presented by Career Builder today announced that it has inaugurated the Chicago area's first Birdies for Charity Program, and invited local charities to participate.

Birdies for Charity is a unique way for nonprofits to raise funds through the Encompass Championship golf tournament, which takes place June 16-22, 2014 at North Shore Country Club in Glenview, Ill. The funds will benefit local charities not only financially but also by helping raise awareness of these programs.

"We are extremely excited to introduce the Birdies for Charity Program for the first time in the Chicago area and the North Shore community," said Encompass Championship Tournament Director Mike Galeski. "This program has a proven record of being a fun and interesting way of bringing much-needed funds and positive attention to area charities. We are certain all involved will benefit greatly."

Here's how it works: Participating charities solicit donor pledges of at least one cent for each birdie recorded during the three tournament rounds at the Encompass Championship. Based on last year's total of 800 birdies, a donor who pledged a penny per birdie would make a charitable donation of eight dollars; however, a pledge of five cents per birdie would raise $40 and a pledge of 10 cents per birdie would net an $80 donation.

One hundred percent of each donation goes directly to a donor's designated charity or charities, because the tournament is underwriting the administrative costs of the program, Galeski said.

How Charities Can Participate:

* A charity organization should visit http://www.encompasschampionship.com/birdies-for-charity to learn about the program and download an application. The charity must be a recognized 501(c)3 and agree that all funds raised will go to approved programs.

* Once approved by the Encompass Championship, the charity may begin promoting the program and obtaining pledges, either flat lump-sum contributions or pledges of one cent or more for each birdie made.

* The program will kick off in March 2014 and be open for registration until June 19, 2014.

How a Donor Can Participate:

* Participating donors may register at www.encompasschampionship.com. Click on the Birdies for Charity logo at the top of the page, click the link to donate to one of the participating charities, click Register Now, complete the personal information requested, select a charity and indicate their pledge or donation amount.

* On Monday, June 23, 2014, when the total number of birdies made is known, an email will be sent out to all participants with instructions on how to make payment for their pledges.

* Within 60 days of the conclusion of the tournament, all charities will receive funds earned by check from the Encompass Championship.