2019 American Family Insurance Championship raises a record $2.4 million for charity

The 2019 American Family Insurance Championship continued its winning tradition of supporting charitable organizations as tournament proceeds increased again this year. In its fourth year, the 2019 event raised a record $2,404,000, an increase of $337,000 (21 percent) over 2018.

This brings the total amount raised for charity since the inaugural event in 2016 to $7,185,000. (See infographic at right that shows tournament impact from 2016-2019.)

Approximately half of the 2019 proceeds will be distributed to the American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin. Nearly 100 other primarily local charities will share the remaining $1.2 million in varying amounts. By comparison, the 2018 event raised $2,067,000. (In 2016, the $1,089,500 total was the highest-ever for a first-year PGA TOUR Champions event.)

2019 proceed totals revealed at celebration event today

The grand total raised and charitable organization recipients were revealed at an event today held at American Family Insurance corporate headquarters. The event featured championship host/player Steve Stricker, his wife, Nicki, American Family Insurance Chair and CEO Jack Salzwedel, numerous tournament sponsors, and volunteers.

Other special guests included representatives of the recipient organizations, and Charlie, a former American Family Children’s Hospital patient and now-healthy four-year-old who took the ceremonial first shot during the opening ceremonies at this year’s event. 

Event continues to grow in popularity and impact

“We continue to be humbled by the amazing support we’ve received for the American Family Insurance Championship,” said Steve and Nicki Stricker. “Volunteers, sponsors, the PGA TOUR and fans have quickly turned an idea into a community celebration that provides critical assistance to organizations that help those in need. We want to give a heartfelt thank you to everyone involved.”

The fourth annual American Family Insurance Championship was held in June at University Ridge Golf Course in Madison. More than 70,000 spectators from 32 states attended during the three days of tournament play and nearly 1,100 volunteers from 15 states donated their time to take part in the event. The local economic impact of the tournament was estimated to be around $15 million.

“The golf and energy of tournament week is incredible, but it’s the meaningful long-lasting impact made through the money raised for charity that’s most important,” said Jack Salzwedel, American Family Insurance chair and CEO. “We are so grateful to host the American Family Insurance Championship, and to be part of an effort that helps our neighbors in need and makes our community special.”

Nearly 100 non-profits receive grants

In addition to the American Family Children’s Hospital in Madison, here is just a sample of the other organizations addressing multiple needs in our communities and how the grant funds will be used:

Madison Reading Project: Madison Reading Project is committed to reversing low literacy rates, growing home libraries and closing achievement gaps. Their mission is to deliver, at no charge, quality literacy reinforcement programs and new, multi-lingual companion books to underserved children from birth to age 12 throughout Dane County in Wisconsin and the surrounding area – and inspire delight in reading.

Maydm: Maydm’s mission is to equip girls and students of color in grades 6-12 with the technical skills, exposure to industry professions and mentorship to normalize and realize their own academic and professional futures in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) fields.

One City Schools: One City is a new, year-round, longer-day school on Madison’s South Side, determined to create healthy and educationally successful children of color. The school uses a two-generational approach to support and include parents, and a farm-to table-healthy meals program to benefit the entire family. Their program has already met with great success, with children having a 94% academic readiness for kindergarten last year.

Madison Area Food Pantry Gardens: The Madison Area Food Pantry Gardens, Inc. addresses the issues of food insecurity by having a significant impact on the local emergency food system by providing produce for many food banks and community groups who give food assistance to those in need. Hundreds of volunteers are involved with gleaning surplus crops in fields and from markets, along with tilling, planting, maintaining and harvesting produce; usually 100,000-125,000 pounds per year.

“In four short years, the American Family Insurance Championship has set a gold standard on PGA TOUR Champions, delivering an exciting tournament product for our players, partners and fans, while creating a tremendous community footprint,” said PGA TOUR Champions President Miller Brady. “Today’s amazing charity announcement is a direct result of the efforts put forth by American Family Insurance, Nicki and Steve Stricker, and we are excited to partner with an event that has had such a great impact on families and children in the region.”

In 2018, the American Family Insurance Championship was awarded the prestigious President’s Award from the PGA TOUR Champions based on outstanding charitable giving, sales, attendance and economic impact. This was the tournament’s second award, as it received the 2016 Outstanding Achievement award in its inaugural year. The PGA TOUR Champions will be announcing their 2019 award recipients later this year.

2020 event to be held earlier

Next year’s event will be held earlier than previous years: May 30-June 7, 2020, with special events during the week and tournament play Friday-Sunday, June 5-7. Jerry Kelly will return as defending champion and Stricker will play in the tournament for the fourth time.

See the complete list of 2019 grant recipients. 

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About Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation
Established in 2013 when Steve Stricker became a brand ambassador for American Family Insurance, the mission of the foundation is to inspire and develop strong families and healthy kids so they can pursue their dreams. The foundation supports organizations that produce tangible outcomes that align with this mission. Web: https://www.amfam.com/sponsorships/amfamchampionship/foundation; Twitter: @StrickerFNDN

About the American Family Insurance Championship
American Family Insurance, the PGA TOUR Champions and Wisconsin native Steve Stricker launched this professional golf tournament in June 2016. The American Family Insurance Championship, held annually at University Ridge Golf Course in Madison, Wis., features a 78-player field. Past champions include Jerry Kelly (2019), Scott McCarron (2018), Fred Couples (2017) and Kirk Triplett (2016). Championship week includes the three-day tournament, two Pro-Am competitions, 5k run/walk, charity concert and a special exhibition featuring celebrities from the sports and music industries. The 2020 event will be held May 30-June 7 with all proceeds allocated to the Steve Stricker American Family Insurance Foundation for distribution to the American Family Children’s Hospital and other charities. More than $7.1 million has been donated to charity since the inaugural event in 2016. For more information: Web: www.AmFamChampionship.com; Twitter: @AmFamChamp; Facebook: American Family Insurance Championship; Instagram: amfamchampionship #AmFamChamp