GCSAA Chapter Outreach Grant Program

Although GCSAA dedicates considerable resources to national outreach, those efforts alone are not enough to achieve desired results. For this reason, GCSAA has established a fund to help chapters engage in activities that complement its efforts to communicate the value of membership to key constituents, primarily golfers and employers.

By creating awareness, the goal is to build greater understanding that leads to action. That action is manifested in increasing salaries, growing opportunities for career success/advancement and support of membership in GCSAA and its chapters. The support, in addition to providing dues, includes access to continuing education and networking resources.

2012 Chapter Outreach Grants

The recipients of the 2012 Chapter Outreach Grants represent a wide variety of geographical areas and offer up examples of how outreach can be executed in many ways. The following chapters were awarded grants in 2012:

• GCSA of Cape Cod: Conducting a media/legislative outreach day that will showcase superintendents and how they create environmentally sustainable green spaces. They plan to invite local media and legislators for a day of golf and provide marketing materials to guests.
• Carolinas GCSA: Creating funding of creating monthly newspaper columns in the Myrtle Beach, S.C., Sun-News. The 750-word columns are also frequently picked up by other areas blogs and websites.
• Florida GCSA: Distribution of a printed version of the chapter's voluntary "BMP Certification Program for the Best Management Practices for the Environmental Quality on Florida Golf Courses."
• Greater Pittsburgh GCSA: Sponsorship, commercials and interviews on radio station ESPN 970.
• Iowa GCSA: Producing two videos for use by members to show the importance of aerification and topdressing, and environmental management and recycling.
• Michigan GCSA: Purchasing advertising in the Golf Association of Michigan's Links magazine. In addition, the chapter would participate in Michigan Golf Day in conjunction with allied associations to reach state lawmakers.
• Rocky Mountain GCSA: Articles and advertising in Colorado Avid Golfer Magazine.
• Virginia GCSA: Producing a series of four print ads in Virginia Golfer. The series would showcase professional superintendents and their dedication to environmental stewardship and responsible water usage.
• Western Washington GCSA: Producing and running a one-third page ad in Golf Washington magazine. The ad would stress the dedication of superintendents in providing the best playing conditions as possible while being stewards of the environment.

Grant criteria

All applications are reviewed by members of the GCSAA Strategic Communications Committee and GCSAA staff. Applications for the 2013 program are now closed.

The following criteria will be used:

1. The chapter must start its outreach activities within 12 months of receiving the grant funds.
2. The outreach activities should address the key messages and be directed to the employer and avid golfer audiences as noted above.
3. Funds must be directed to future programs and not retroactively to past efforts.
4. Chapters must provide matching or support funding.
5. Chapters must provide a follow-up report of the program so that GCSAA can create a database of case studies and best management practices. If a chapter fails to complete a follow-up report it will be ineligible for future grants.
6. GCSAA reserves the right to request return of funds if not used according to means as detailed on application.
7. The application must be signed by the chapter president and one other officer or staff member.
8. Funds will not be granted to supplement current staff salary -- however, they can be directed to pay for freelance or intern stipends.
9. Examples of activities might include stipends for media relations personnel to write news releases, articles for non-chapter publications, securing interviews with members, developing sponsorship packages for exposure on television, radio, publications or Internet, or creation of a “public/employer”-oriented website.
10. Chapters must provide the information requested on the official form.

For more information