3. Send a Handwritten Thank-You to Engage Golfers  

• Include it with the tax receipt and thank-you letter you send to all players. Download a FREE sample thank-you letter.

• Acknowledge the donor's gift and share how their participation makes a difference for real people

• Send it within 2–3 days after your tournament

• Include a photo or two from the event

• Invite them back for next year with a "Save the Date" note at the end

Thanking donors personally is a simple yet powerful donor retention strategy, especially when it happens fast and feels heartfelt.

5. Send a Third Outreach to Golfers via Email 

• Include a soft ask to support future efforts (e.g., joining your giving society or becoming a monthly donor) 

• Emphasize their importance to your mission. Make them feel seen and needed

At this stage, you're planting seeds for loyal giving by aligning your asks with the donor’s values.

6. Track Each Golfer's Level of Engagement  

• Who opened your email?

• Who donated? 

• Who attended your event last year and hasn't had personalized follow-up?

These insights are critical to identifying where each golfer falls along your golf fundraiser donor engagement pipeline.

Frequently Asked Questions 

How should I segment golfers, sponsors, and attendees immediately after our golf tournament fundraiser? 

After the event, pull your full list of players, sponsors, and attendees and label them clearly before adding them to your CRM or donor file. 

Group people by:

• • Role (player, team captain, sponsor, etc.)

  • Gift level during the event

  • Whether they’ve participated in your tournament before

  • Whether they've participated in other events

  • Whether they've ever donated to your foundation/gift level

  • Use other categories and tags based on what you know about each

How should I prioritize donor engagement and stewardship after a golf tournament fundraiser?

• • Multi-year participants are your hottest prospects for a mid-level donor upgrade. 

  • Don’t forget sponsors. They may be open to restricted gifts or naming opportunities. 

  • Treat high-income players as major gift prospects. 

This kind of donor segmentation moves you beyond one-and-done giving, builds lasting relationships, and fuels automated follow-up journeys that keep your foundation front and center.

Why are golf tournament attendees such a strong donor engagement opportunity for nonprofits?

They’re exactly who you want in your donor pipeline. The average golfer has a net worth of $768,000 and household income over $100,000. Most are already investing in stocks or mutual funds, meaning they’re financially literate, networked, and capable of giving more than a one-time gift. 

But it’s not just about wealth. Golfers bring friends, colleagues, and business contacts who spend the entire day immersed in your event. That level of attention is rare, and it gives you a real shot at turning casual players into loyal supporters.

What is the best way to thank golfers after a golf tournament fundraiser? 

Send a mix of direct mail (your first out reach), email, phone calls (for major prospects) and hand-written notes.

• Three days after your golfing event: Mail a thank-you letter to golfers that includes an additional handwritten note of appreciation. Share total funds raised and how it will impact care in your community. (Tip: Ask staff or volunteers to help you write the handwritten notes ahead of time.) Follow up a few days later with a brief thank-you phone call to golfers with greater giving capacity. 

• A week or two later after your event: Send a follow-up email that includes a one clear impact story linked to their support. Start with genuine thanks (“Thank you for joining our tournament”), drop in one quick impact update (“Your participation will strengthen our cancer services..."), and close with a next-step invitation (“View photos from the event," "Watch this thank you video from Dr. Sherman, director of our Comprehensive Cancer Center," "Download our quarterly donor impact report.")

Be sure to ference their tournament role in every follow-up and clearly articulate their impact. 

When and how should I follow up with a third donor engagement email after a golf fundraiser?

Two to three weeks after your follow-up email: Send an email message that reminds them how they’re part of something bigger. Reinforce their role by connecting their support to a real outcome to show what they will make possible. Share a short, emotional impact story that reflects their values. Then offer a soft ask that feels like a natural next step, rather than a transaction: 

• • Save the date for an upcoming event

  • Join a giving society that supports year-round care 

  • Help fund the next phase of a project they’ve already touched