John Deere Classic

Silvis, Illinois

The John Deere Classic raises funds for approximately 500 area charities through its work with Birdies for Charity. Having raised $6.79 million in 2012, the tournament is seeking to build upon that success and continue to grow its charitable impact on the community. Because John Deere pays for the program’s administrative costs, 100 percent of each donation goes to the donor’s designated charity. This year, all charities were promised a 5% bonus on pledges that Birdies for Charity collects for them, but will actually receive an 8% bonus on their pledges. The Birdies for Charity Fund is the source of these bonus dollars. This fund is supported with dollars from tournament revenues, and with the support of corporations and individual donors through a Charity Partner program. These dollars will be distributed annually, and are designed not to compete with, but to enhance the benefits for the 500 charities that participate in the program.