It’s not often thought of or discussed as a competition, but the struggle for charitable organizations to attract funding from the business community in Cochrane is tough, even for those with a track record and beneficiaries that are widely recognized as important providers of services to the community.
One such example of a group that seems to be having a bit more trouble than normal attracting corporate sponsorship this summer is the 17th annual Monumental Tournament of Aces, scheduled for Oct. 5 at The Links of GlenEagles.
Hosted by the Rotary Club of Cochrane and supported by the Lindsay Leigh Kimmett Memorial Foundation, (aka pond hockey aficionados) this annual event has raised $1.25 Million for local initiatives while also providing a one-of-a-kind ‘closest to the pin’ style of golfing that requires no previous golf experience and is for anyone seeking friends, fun and has a desire to give back to the community.
The Lindsay Leigh Kimmett Memorial Foundation honours the life of Kimmett, who tragically died in 2008 as a passenger in a motor vehicle collision.
The Lindsay Leigh Kimmett Memorial Foundation, in memory of Lindsay Kimmett, works to make the world a better place. The Foundation has donated $3,750,000 to projects and organizations locally and around the world. Major fundraisers include MTA and the Kimmett Cup.
Organizers are putting out the call to Cochrane and area businesses to jump on board this year.
Allan Carr is the Sponsorship Chair for the MTA Tournament. He said he appreciates there may be increased pressure for some businesses to maintain their previous levels of charitable contributions year after year.
“From my perspective some of the resistance is the increase in asks that each business is receiving. I know most businesses are getting 10 to15 asks per week,” he said. “Currently it may be double that.”
“Some of it I believe is the increase in all expenses both personal and corporate and it seems each jurisdiction is having to tighten up their budgets.”
He added there are many good causes and fund-raising efforts from other groups are likely feeling the same pinch.
“There are a ton of great organizations and charities that we are up against in raising funds to give back to our community,” he said.
This year’s two primary beneficiaries and Cochrane Area and Health Foundation (CAHF) and Bethany Care.
Bethany Cochrane provides services for people with complex health needs who are unable to remain at home or in a supportive living centre. Residents have access to all common areas including a memory room, dining room with homemade meals and a Great Room which can be reserved for private parties.
The CAHF is a not-for-profit charitable foundation created to improve the quality, provision, and access to healthcare for the people of Cochrane and the surrounding area.
Brian Winter, Chair of the Foundation, said he will personally be visiting area businesses this week to help the Rotarians drum up support for the golf tournament.
“We rely on the businesses to help support the health needs of Cochrane,” he said.
“Whatever funding we get from the Rotary Club is going to go right back into the community, to help support the activities of Cochrane Urgent Care Centre,” he said.
One of the projects they’re working on involves improving the security of staff at the Urgent Care Centre. Another will provide much needed medical equipment.
Winter recognizes the pressures businesses are under.
“I know businesses have a lot of people knocking on their doors every week to support stuff. I look at this as a high priority,” Winter said.
This will be the 17th year MTA has run. About $1,400,000 has been raised to date for local Cochrane and Area organizations.
Available corporate sponsorships include: Tournament Title Sponsor $10,000; Banquet Sponsor $7,500; Lunch Sponsor $5,000; Platinum Sponsor $2500; Monumental Sponsor $1500.
Other sponsorships include Hole Sponsor $750 and Auction Donor $100 Value.
For more information on corporate sponsorship opportunities contact Allan Carr at [email protected].
For more information on the tournament go to rotarycochrane.ca.
