*The first Dormie Network club, ArborLinks, in Nebraska City*

*Brian Schenk, Dormie Network Foundation Chief Philanthropy Officer*

Every great idea starts somewhere—in this case, with a golfer, a gap in the market, and a well-timed cup of coffee.

Zach Peed founded Dormie Network in 2017, leveraging his past as a collegiate golfer and trusting his instincts as an enthusiast of the game. He recognized that discerning golfers often seek access to multiple golf clubs, yet no offering like Dormie Network existed in the private golf marketplace. Since then, he's methodically added clubs that meet the Network's exacting standards—while Dormie Network Foundation has helped expand the Network’s reach, introducing prospective members to the membership.

Today, the Foundation has become a driving force for good, raising $7.1 million for nonprofits nationwide in 2025 alone while introducing thousands of new audiences to Dormie Network's signature experience.

Dormie Network Foundation Chief Philanthropy Officer Brian Schenk shares the story behind the Foundation’s history, its evolution, and the vision for what comes next.

What inspired the creation of Dormie Network Foundation?

Answer: Zach Peed’s commitment to the community was instilled at a young age, growing up watching his family support multiple causes. A seed of giving was planted and stayed with him as he built Dormie Network and became something he wanted to see flourish well into the future.

In any golf operation, there’s always community solicitation for donation items to help raise additional funding. When you compound the donation requests by the number of Dormie Network properties, it became evident that this area deserved much more attention. In 2019, Zach Peed reached the conclusion that someone needed to manage these donation requests—and find a way to form a marriage between philanthropy and the growth of Dormie Network. That’s when our paths crossed, and a concept for a foundation began to take shape.

When were you introduced to Zach Peed and Dormie Network?

Answer: I was introduced to Zach Peed in the fall of 2019. He was speaking with a GolfStatus team member about starting a foundation and coincidentally, this team member and I graduated from the same Master’s in Business program. She sent me a LinkedIn message asking if I would be interested in having coffee with Zach to talk about any suggestions for the concept. I had worked with the Peed family on past fundraising asks, so I knew of them, but had never had a chance to meet Zach. I figured it would be fun, and at the very least, I’d gain a new connection—and a free cup of coffee.

At the time, I was working for the American Red Cross, leading a team of fundraisers across Nebraska, Kansas, and Western Iowa. I enjoyed the work and challenge of leading fundraising for major natural disasters and biomedical needs for blood donation.

What I expected to be an hour of casual conversation quickly turned into two hours of brainstorming “what ifs” and exploring how the concept could scale. I offered to introduce Zach to the many people I knew in fundraising, and he surprised me by looking at me and saying, “No, I think I would like for you to come do this.”

I was a little shocked, as my last name is extremely reflective of my golf game, and I had never worked in a startup space before. I went home and told my wife about my “coffee experience,” and she urged me to follow up as quickly as I can. I listened.

Zach and I agreed on a focus for 2020, and I was hired to come on board. On January 6, 2020, I started with Dormie Network, and that day marked the birth of Dormie Network Foundation. Over the next six months, we worked with the IRS on our 501(c)(3) letter of determination, and in December 2020, Dormie Network Foundation became an official nonprofit entity.

Do you remember the first time you visited a Dormie Network property? What were your first impressions, and how did that experience influence your vision for Dormie Network Foundation?

Answer: My first visit to a Dormie property was in February 2020 at Briggs Ranch in San Antonio, Texas, for our annual general manager and executive team meeting.

Coming from a nonprofit background, I was accustomed to team meetings at corporate offices and everyone chipping in and bringing in lunch and snacks. What I found here was a completely different world.

From the moment we arrived, we were greeted by a handful of staff who tagged our luggage and ushered us into the main bar area for lunch. The friendliness blew me away. At first, I assumed it was because I was traveling with the owner, but I later realized this level of care was simply the way of Dormie Network.

*Briggs Ranch Golf Club in San Antonio, Texas*

Within an hour, we ate and were on the course. Anything and everything we could need was delivered before we even knew we needed it. It immediately became clear that Dormie Network was different. The hospitality was unlike anything I had ever experienced and what was going to make Dormie Network successful. If this level of service could be translated into philanthropic work, the impact would be remarkable.

Today, I often remind my team that we provide the Dormie Network level of service, not only to our members and guests, but also to the nonprofits we support. This approach has helped us build incredible relationships with some of the most well-known nonprofit organizations in the world, and we are proud to partner with them.

Dormie Network Foundation offers a truly unique product for nonprofits. How has the model evolved?

Answer: In my first week with Dormie Network, I remember sitting in front of a blank screen with a moment of sheer panic. I had the opportunity to build an entire philanthropy program from the ground up. As with all things, I just needed to take the first step to map out what success might look like. Then I picked up the phone and started calling nonprofit partners I knew. The offering was simple, or at least that is what I thought.

*Dormie Network Foundation team at Dormie Network’s ArborLinks Golf Club in Nebraska, City, NE*

Dormie Network would donate either a one-year membership for organizations to auction to their donors or a Stay and Play Package for four people, including two rounds of golf and an overnight cottage stay. Things went well, and nonprofits were receptive, curious, albeit skeptical. I built a good book of events scheduled throughout the year.

Then March 2020 arrived, and the world shut down.

COVID changed everything. Nonprofit events were not being postponed—they were being canceled outright. Nonprofits were in panic mode, along with everyone in the world, about how they would make budgets, fundraise any money, and were in a state of despair. However, in classic nonprofit fashion, they became nimble and moved to a virtual world of fundraising and online auctions. What I feared would be the biggest flop in history turned into one of our strongest opportunities. Dormie Network Foundation was able to bring on over 150 donated memberships. While I often receive emails of thanks for our donations—some organizations said our gift may have helped save their fiscal year.

I’ll never forget that.

That’s when it clicked: there was a real appetite for elevated golf experiences, and a huge market of nonprofit donors who love to travel and play. The blueprint was there—but the real test was whether those donated members would want to continue as dues-paying members after their one-year was up.

The response was incredible and confirmed that the model not only worked—but could scale. That momentum allowed me to begin building the incredible team we have today and grow from raising about $1 million annually for nonprofits to over $7 million annually.

What makes Dormie Network Foundation’s model so successful?

Brian Schenk (middle) at Dormie Club presenting a check to Dormie Network Foundation partner, Team Red, White, and Blue — *Brian Schenk (middle) at Dormie Club presenting a check to Team Red, White, and Blue*

Answer: I believe Dormie Network Foundation launched at exactly the right moment, and that timing has driven much of the success we see today. If anything positive came out of 2020, it was the resurgence of golf. People who had never thought they had time for a round suddenly found it to be one of the few safe and enjoyable options available. Tee sheets at both municipal and private courses quickly filled up, often reaching capacity.

Dormie Network Foundation was uniquely positioned to offer nonprofits something incredible during that time. Access to world-class golf and hospitality made it easy for donors to support the charities they love while enjoying unforgettable moments on the course. It seemed to skyrocket from there.

The golf resurgence has not seemed to slow down either. Younger generations of golfers have fallen in love with being out on the course, while influencers are showing vast audiences what the best golf courses in the world are like. This perfect storm continues to drive the success we see as a company.

What I enjoy most about this success is the amount of revenue we have been able to generate for our partners, along with the relationships we have built with these groups. These established relationships will allow us to drive meaningful change on both a national and global scale.

Why is golf such a natural platform for philanthropic efforts?

Answer: When I think about our most precious commodities, time immediately comes to mind—and for me, it ranks among the top three. In an age dominated by technology and information overload, there are very few environments to escape from the noise and to truly be present with those around you. Golf is one of those rare places.

Where else can you block out four hours and be present with your playing partners for that entirety? Golf gives us the opportunity to have meaningful conversations, where we can talk about our lives, our work, and what is important to us as we maneuver through life.

*Brian Schenk (left) at Dormie Network’s property, Dormie Club, in West End, North Carolina for a work trip*

Why do golf, business, and charitable giving work so well together?

Brian Schenk walking with caddie at Dormie Club — *Brian Schenk with caddie at Dormie Club*

Answer: Golf has long been a backdrop for strong business relationships—and for good reason. The pace of the game naturally fosters trust, rapport, and candid conversation. When you layer philanthropy into that environment, something even more powerful happens.

Dormie Network offers donated members the opportunity to experience golf in a way they never have before. It allows organizations to spend high-quality time with the people who matter most to their mission and, in turn, encourages those donors to increase their gifting to continue to experience all that Dormie Network has to offer. I have always called this a marriage between Dormie Network and the nonprofit community. We provide nonprofits, at no cost, with high-value items that inspire donors to bid generously. Those donors visit Dormie Network properties, fall in love with the experience, and then continue to drive our economic business for continued growth.

It is social entrepreneurship at its core. Since 2020, this model has introduced thousands of people to Dormie Network through donated memberships and Stay and Play Packages. So far in 2025, $7.1 million has been raised for our nonprofit partners while helping grow Dormie Network to a highly successful level.

What does the future of Dormie Network Foundation look like?

Answer: As we move into year seven of Dormie Network Foundation, we will gradually taper back in-kind giving and place a stronger focus on funding our 501 (c)(3) to provide direct cash grants to organizations. From our start, we've focused on four giving pillars which include youth golf, environmental initiatives, military and first responders, and healthcare and humanitarian needs for disaster relief. Our paradigm shift will not happen overnight, but over the next five years, we aim to become a fully funded and sustainable foundation, capable of directing millions of dollars in cash grants each year. In-kind giving will always have a place in our work, but I believe our greatest impact will come from making substantial investments in our core areas—ensuring the long-term sustainability of both Dormie Network and the communities we serve.

Dormie Network Foundation is on a path to be a fully funded, cash-granting nonprofit by 2030, with revenue opportunities coming from multiple channels to drive our giving initiatives. Our strategic direction is to make several significant contributions on an annual basis that align with the goals of each of our four giving pillars. This will be achieved through direct gifts from Dormie Network members, large events taking place at each Dormie Network property, requests, and corporate support from Dormie Network vendors and partners at large. It seems like a long runway, but it will give us time to prove that investing in the Dormie Network community will be beneficial for everyone involved.

Is there anything else you would like people to know about Dormie Network Foundation?

Answer: Moving into 2026, we will release a limited number of Dormie Network donated one-year membership opportunities. We remain committed to our partnership with GolfStatus and their ability to utilize Stay and Play Packages for their partners with golf tournaments. I suggest applying early to see if your event meets the criteria we have in place for donation of the membership.

We look forward to continuing our growth as a charitable giving entity and appreciate all our partners being a part of our growth and history.

What questions do you get asked the most about Dormie Network Foundation?

Answer: The question that our team hears to this day, and was the first question I was ever asked after I started giving away one-year memberships to charities to auction, was “This sounds too good to be true, what is the catch?”

I still smile every time someone asks that question. It is extremely valid if you look through the nonprofit’s perspective. They are hit up with sales calls and schemes daily that “guarantee them” to raise more money. What makes Dormie Network’s offering different is the fact that we do not charge the charity anything to receive the gift. Coming from the nonprofit space, I was determined that if I ever had the opportunity to offer something, it would not be a consignment item. When a nonprofit partner auctions off the one-year membership for $20,000, they keep all $20,000. It is that simple.

This is always followed up with the question, “Well, what is in it for you?” I am confident in how I respond to this question, because with Dormie Network, what you see is what you get. The value for us lies in the fact that our nonprofit partners have access and relationships with high-net-worth individuals who love to travel, and love golf. Without our product being in the nonprofits’ auction, there is a strong chance that those donors would never have heard about Dormie Network, so it is exposure to Dormie Network’s target audience, while offering a chance to raise more money for these charities.

It grows Dormie Network while growing fundraising. It is a unicorn “win-win-win" situation for the donor, the nonprofit, and Dormie Network.

You served on the Board of Directors for Breakthrough T1D. Are you still involved, and what lessons has that experience taught you about leadership and philanthropy?

Answer: I have had the privilege of working for and supporting many fantastic nonprofit organizations, and one that holds a special place in my heart is Breakthrough T1D. My oldest brother was diagnosed with type one diabetes at an early age, and his struggles made an impression on my mind. I want to do what I can to help eradicate type 1 diabetes so that children, teens, and adults will not have to undergo what my brother did.

I serve locally on the Breakthrough T1D Board of Directors for Nebraska and Iowa and continue to try to raise critical funds and awareness for this great organization.

I was also given the privilege to serve as the President of the Board of Directors for Nebraska for two years. During that time, there was a leadership change for the paid staff, not once, but twice. Fortunately, the original executive director decided to come back to the organization, and we were able to continue raising critical research funding for type 1 diabetes. It proved to be a great leadership lesson, helping me walk the team and board through change while keeping our goals front and center. When I left the office in July 2025, we were in a stronger position than ever to raise record support in Nebraska. In my final two years on the board, I aim to bring the Breakthrough T1D mission back to my home community of Lincoln, as well as the western side of our state at large.

Are there other nonprofits you would like to highlight that you have supported through Dormie Network Foundation or personally?

Answer: We have an extensive list of more than 3,500 nonprofits that have partnered with the Dormie Network Foundation since 2020. They all have such unique and critical missions that it is always hard to just point out one or two, but I will always hold a special place in my heart for Arbor Day Foundation, Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital, and the American Red Cross. All three of these groups do such unique work throughout the state of Nebraska, across the United States, and internationally.

Even more meaningful to me is that these organizations took a chance on me and taught me everything I know about relationship development and fundraising effectiveness to better their missions. These lessons molded me into the leader that I continue striving to be. I owe all the blessings in my life to the wonderful individuals who continue to build on their legacy every day.