Connecticut's PGA Tour event says its 2026 tournament generated a record $5 million for 290 charities
The Travelers Championship gave its final count on Sept. 24, up from more than 270 charities in its first tally in June. Many of them took part through Birdies for Charity, which adds a bonus of 15% to what each charity collects.
Cromwell. The Travelers Championship, Connecticut's annual PGA Tour event at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, said on Sept. 24 that its 2026 tournament generated more than $5 million for 290 charities, the most money and the most organizations in its history. Representatives of the nonprofits received their funds at the tournament's annual Charity Celebration at the course.
The tournament first gave a count on June 29, the Monday Viktor Hovland won in a playoff: more than $5 million for more than 270 charities, according to Travelers, the insurer that has been its title sponsor since 2007.
Last year's tournament generated more than $4 million for 245 charities. Its releases for the three years before give more than $2.5 million, $3 million and $3.2 million. Since 2007 it has generated more than $40 million for over 1,000 nonprofits in the region, and it gives all of its net proceeds to charity. The tournament is run by the Greater Hartford Community Foundation, a Hartford nonprofit.
Where the money goes
The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Ashford, which offers a summer camp experience to children with serious illnesses, was this year's primary beneficiary, Travelers said in June. Other nonprofits, in fields from the arts and education to food insecurity, housing and mental health, benefit through Birdies for Charity, a fundraising program the tournament started in 2004.
Neither release breaks the $5 million down by recipient or by source, or says what share went to the camp.
How Birdies for Charity works
Any registered 501(c)(3) organization in the Northeast may take part, and there is no limit on how many do. A charity registers with the tournament, by May 30 this year, then asks its own supporters to give through the tournament's website or a personal fundraising page the tournament sets up for it. This year the gifts had to reach the tournament by June 28.
Early in the fall the tournament pays each charity everything it collected, plus a bonus of at least 15% from its Bonus Bucks pool, which the program's sponsors, Webster Bank and Aetna, make possible. The bonus is capped at $11,250 a charity, 15% of $75,000 raised. The tournament covers card and administrative fees, and there is no minimum a charity must raise.
Registration for the 2026 program is closed. The 2027 tournament is scheduled for June 21 to 27 at TPC River Highlands.
“The heartbeat of the Travelers Championship has always been partnering with local charities and providing them with funding and a platform to spread their message.”
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501c3.help wrote this story from the sources listed with it, not from material an organization sent. Our editors approved it on Sept. 29, 2026. Stories in The Nonprofit Herald are free, and nothing is asked in return. Editorial rules.
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