Fundraising Through Golf Experiences: How ACE Scholarships Raised $88K
“If your donors love golf even just a little bit, this is a no-brainer.”
That’s how Erik Billinger, Chief Development Officer at ACE Scholarships, sums up what it’s like to partner with Dormie Network Foundation (DNF) for fundraising.
In just three years, ACE Scholarships has raised more than $88,500 through eight donated one-year Dormie Network memberships—a powerful example of how experiential fundraising can transform donor engagement and drive meaningful impact for nonprofits.
If your organization is looking for innovative fundraising ideas that combine donor cultivation with unforgettable experiences, this case study reveals exactly how one nonprofit leveraged golf opportunities to fuel its mission and deepen relationships with supporters.
ACE Scholarships: Closing the Opportunity Gap, One Student at a Time
ACE Scholarships’ Mission: To advance K-12 educational freedom, with a focus on securing financial support for families so they may access the quality education of their choice.
Founded in 2000, ACE was created with one clear vision: that every child in America has equal access to a quality education.
This vision didn't emerge from a boardroom brainstorming session—it came from years of real frustration with the public school system's lack of reform, unsuccessful legislative efforts to provide publicly funded vouchers, and a growing awareness that lower-income students were being left further and further behind while American students overall continued to lag their international peers.
ACE’s solution? Empower families with the financial support they need to access the K–12 schools that are the best fit for their children. To qualify for ACE, a family must meet the income requirements. ACE serves families who fall under 350% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (with an average income of $56,686)
ACE’s impact is remarkable:
100% high school graduation rate (reporting class of 2025)
More than 121,000 scholarships awarded in over 26 years, totaling more than $395 million
16,317 ACE Scholars in the 2025–26 school year
11 consecutive years of 4-star Charity Navigator ratings
Founded in Colorado, now serving 13 states
Partnering with Dormie Network Foundation (DNF)
Director of Philanthropy Howie Hutchinson recounts, “I have known ACE Scholarships for many years because of my work in Denver’s nonprofit space. I’ve always admired their mission to advocate for school choice, regardless of a family’s zip code, and their approach to fundraising, which focuses on building relationships and sharing impact.”
So, when ACE and DNF officially partnered in June 2023, it felt like a natural fit.
“Howie is well known in the Denver community,” Billinger says. “We were fortunate to connect with him and learn more about Dormie Network Foundation.”
From there, the model was elegantly simple yet remarkably effective. ACE has primarily partnered with DNF through one-year donated Dormie Network memberships—essentially, access to some of the most prestigious golf experiences in the country that nonprofits can offer to their donors.
They've also utilized a Dormie Network Stay and Play Package to fundraise, creating additional touchpoints for donor engagement. In short, donors contributed at a designated giving level to unlock these exclusive golf experiences.
One might wonder how donors respond when presented with such a high-value golf experience. Is it a tough sell? Does it require handholding or a long pitch? According to Billinger, not at all.
Introducing donors to the concept of a Dormie Network membership has been simple and exciting. "Our donors love golf and have heard about Dormie Network. Once they heard about how to become members through the donated membership, they were excited."
He adds that the experience consistently exceeds expectations. “Everyone has been so impressed with the quality of the golf courses, the exceptional service, the comfortable rooms, and the amazing food!!”
What $88,500 Means for ACE
In just three years, this partnership has raised more than $88,500—funds that translate directly into life-changing opportunities for students.
Every $3,500 donation provides a partial scholarship to a quality private K–12 school. Parents and schools partner to share the remaining costs. When a donor gives at least $10,500, they help three kids gain educational opportunities that can transform their lives.
Hutchinson reflects on the impact of the collaboration: “It has been a privilege over the past few years to engage with their leadership through Dormie Network Foundation and provide resources for them to further engage with their donors and ultimately serve more families across the country.”
Why Golf Experiences Work as a Fundraising Strategy
The partnership model works because today’s donors, particularly major gift prospects, increasingly seek meaningful experiences that combine philanthropy with personal passions. Golf fundraising has emerged as one of the most effective experiential fundraising strategies for nonprofits wanting to engage supporters in authentic, relationship-driven settings.
Here’s why:
Golf slows people down. You get hours outdoors with supporters—no rush, no distractions.
Shared experiences build trust faster than meetings.
Premium settings elevate your mission.
People are more generous when they feel connected and celebrated.
Experiential Fundraising in Action at Dormie Club
This November, Howie Hutchinson and Mike Hewitt from DNF assisted ACE in hosting an experiential fundraising trip at Dormie Club, a private Dormie Network property near Pinehurst, North Carolina. The trip brought together three ACE staff members and 17 major donors for a multi-day experience built around golf, hospitality, and the kind of unhurried relationship building that simply cannot happen at a two-hour gala.
The goal wasn't just to play golf—though let's be honest, playing top-ranked courses doesn't hurt. The objective was to provide a setting where ACE could authentically engage with supporters, strengthen connections, and celebrate the impact their contributions make. Attendees were gifted with Dormie Club and ACE logoed golf polos, a small but meaningful touch that extended the experience beyond the trip itself.
The Takeaway for Nonprofits
ACE Scholarships’ partnership with Dormie Network Foundation demonstrates how using golf as a fundraising tool can be both fun and transformational. The key is finding the intersection between your donors' interests and your mission, then creating experiences that honor both.
Billinger says, “Donors love to give, but they love to give and have a little fun at the same time and connect with quality people! Doing donor outings at any Dormie Network property is such a great use of time!”
If your nonprofit has donors who appreciate golf, exploring partnerships with organizations like Dormie Network Foundation could unlock new fundraising potential. Dormie Network Foundation partners with nonprofits across America to provide access to world-class golf experiences that drive fundraising success and deepen donor relationships. To learn more about how your organization could benefit from similar opportunities, connect with Dormie Network Foundation.
To learn more about ACE Scholarships, visit acescholarships.org.
