LINCOLN, Nebraska — GolfStatus, the leading golf event management and fundraising platform, is thrilled to announce that it has selected Hope Strengthens Foundation from 1,500 nominations as the winner of the fifth annual Play It Forward campaign, an annual campaign to identify and support charitable organizations that are using golf for good.
Hope Strengthens Foundation began in 2010 and provides critical financial support to individuals and families facing life-threatening illness, disability or recovery from traumatic injuries.
HSF’s assistance programs include financial support to cover medical expenses, purchase specialized equipment to assist in recovery and cover other expenses directly related to medical care.
In addition to patient support, HSF has established scholarship programs to support students pursuing a healthcare career who lack the financial resources to complete their education.
Executive Director Jacob Ferreira says the donation will be used directly to support patients. “Hope Strengthens Foundation is deeply honored to be selected as the 2025 Play It Forward winner. This incredible donation will allow Hope Strengthens Foundation to immediately provide critical support to patients and families facing health challenges and long treatment journeys.”
The contest, presented in partnership with Dormie Network, a collection of luxury, private destination golf clubs, and its charitable arm, Dormie Network Foundation, celebrates those who host charitable golf outings to progress important causes.
Entrants were asked to nominate a golf tournament fundraiser to receive a $10,000 donation for the deserving cause, and those who submitted the nomination were entered to win a Stay and Play package from Dormie Network.
“The commitment of GolfStatus, Dormie Network and the Dormie Network Foundation to uplift communities through golf is truly inspiring,” Ferreira said. “I’m grateful for the partnership to make this vital impact possible.” Hope Strengthens Foundation will also receive a Dormie Network Stay and Play package to leverage as an auction item at its golf tournament.
The Play It Forward runner-up, Family Promise of Roanoke’s Mark Donihe Memorial Golf Tournament, received a complimentary hole-in-one contest insurance package from GolfStatus to be used as an additional fundraising opportunity.
“The committee received a record 1,500 nominations for the fifth year of Play It Forward,” says Brian Schenk, Chief Philanthropy Officer for Dormie Network Foundation. “With our largest response, we are grateful to be reminded of the important work being done in the world by the deserving organizations that were nominated.”
Since its inaugural campaign in 2021, Play It Forward has been a hallmark of GolfStatus and Dormie Network’s commitment to giving back to those who use golf for good. Past winners include:
- 2024: Coalition For Kids. C4K supports over 1,200 vulnerable students in northwest Tennessee, offering after-school and evening programs in one of the area’s most underserved communities. Funds from its annual C4K Golf Classic help students achieve academic, physical, social, and spiritual growth.
- 2023: Avery’s Hope. An all-volunteer, grassroots organization that provides financial assistance to rare, ultra-rare, and undiagnosed pediatric GI patient families. A Topgolf fundraiser was chosen to be more inclusive for the patients and families the nonprofit serves.
- 2022: Sisters Across America and Make-A-Wish Foundation. Sisters Across America provides support and mentoring for young minority women pursuing professional golfing careers and teaching juniors to grow the game. Make-A-Wish of Philadelphia, Delaware, and Susquehanna Valley’s Pro-Am for Wishes raises money to grant life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.
- 2021: Cameron Steinberg Foundation. Created by the parents of Cameron Steinberg, who passed away at just two months old from hypoplastic left heart syndrome, the Foundation raises money for research into congenital heart defects. Using golf as its primary fundraising vehicle, the Foundation has raised over $200,000 in four years.