Grants
Iowa PGA Foundation Pillar Grant Program & Guidelines
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The Iowa Section Pillar Grant program through the Iowa PGA Foundation began in 2025. Pillar Grant projects must support Iowa PGA Section professionals or Facilities, within the IowaPGA Boundaries, with their Growth of the Game programs at their facility or in their communities. Grant awards must be utilized to initiate a developmental program or enhance and strengthen an existing program. Grant applications must align with one of the three pillars of the Iowa PGA Foundation – Juniors, Scholarships or Veterans.
Funding Considerations
- Pillar Grants are limited to one (1) per Iowa PGA Section facility, individual PGA member or facility within the Iowa PGA Boundaries each year/cycle.
- It is intended that total grant money allocated each year/cycle will equal ten percent (10%) of the Pillar Grant interest fund available on January 1 of the grant year being offered. Total Pillar Grant funds available for 2027 applications will be $4,500.
- At least one (1) Pillar Grant will be awarded each year/cycle.
- To be considered, a grant request must be created as a Growth of the Game program that supports one of the pillars of the Iowa PGA Foundation which include: Juniors, Scholarships or Veterans.
- Pillar Grant requests must be used for direct program expenses and development costs. Funds may not be used directly for salaries/hourly wages.
In evaluating the applications, the Iowa PGA Scholarships/Grant Committee will consider the grant application, submitted materials and the following:
- Does the program have clearly defined goals, action plans and measurable outcomes?
- Does the grant impact player development and support Golf 2.0/Growth of the Game?
- Has the Applicant ever contributed to the Iowa PGA Foundation’s fundraising efforts?
- Will the Applicant commit to reporting the year-end results of the program that the grant is supporting?
DO NOT submit before July 15, 2026
Submission Deadline Date: Applications, a detailed Excel budget, and program materials are to be submitted no later than 11:59 pm CST, October 1, 2026.
Submission check list:
- Pillar Grant application
- Business plan, detailed Excel budget and program timeline
- Brochures, materials associated with the proposed program
- List of staff to be involved in programming
- Facility contribution and/or in-kind commitments (i.e. support staff & volunteer hours, facility or professional equipment: as in simulators, launch monitors, golf clubs, etc.) (Greens fees and golf course rental fees are not eligible in-kind expenses)
- PGA Professional’s statement of anticipated program results that will be shared with the Iowa PGA Grant Sub-Committee
Review Process:
Receipt of applications will be acknowledged through email within 10 days of receiving application and materials. Incomplete applications may be delayed or declined.
Grant award notifications will occur through written notification no later than December 1st of the award year.
Examples of possible grant projects are listed but not limited to:
- Assist with the purchase of clubs for a Beginner Ladies Program
- PGA Jr League Scholarships
- Purchase of U.S. Kids Golf for Junior program
- Update on course lesson material – “Reserved for PGA Instruction”, Instruction Banners
- Drive, Chip and Putt Prep Clinics
- Purchase of trophies for Junior Golf Program
- Assistance in the purchase of a stretching station to help with player flexibility
- Special Olympics Training Program
- Purchase of junior golf accessories – targets, prizes for competition, etc.
- Junior Girls Golf Program
- New Golfer Bootcamp for Veterans
- Golf Academy Program – i.e. Operation 36
Grant Example: Creating Junior Girl’s Golf Summer Program; GIRLS on COURSE: June –August
Example of hypothetical program & timeline
APRIL:
- Contact local Jr & Sr High school physical education teachers about program
- Brochures for schools; Lesson dates, start date, fees, benefits, location, scholarships available
MID-MAY:
- Check back with physical educators
- Invite to information meeting at golf course
1 st Thursday in June:
- Registration deadline
JUNE:
- 2 classes per week for 3 weeks
- 12 participants first year
JULY & AUGUST:
- Weekly tee times designated for Girls on Course players; play 9 holes for $5
- Last class in August: ALL Girls on Course participants play a Best Shot event with pizza party to follow with parents attending
Send completed applications and materials via mail or email (tgoudy@pgahq.com) to:
Iowa PGA Foundation Grant
Tess Goudy, PGA
Assistant Executive Director
3184 Highway 22
Riverside, IA 52327
| Pillar Grant Recipients | |
| 2025 | Nate Lubs & Golf Waterloo |
Congratulations to Nate Lubs and Golf Waterloo on being selected as the 2025 Pillar Grant honoree by the Iowa PGA Foundation Pillar Grant committee.
Nate Lubs, PGA of Golf Waterloo has been awarded the first Pillar Grant projects need to support Iowa PGA Section professionals or Facilities, within the IowaPGA Boundaries, with their Growth of the Game programs at their facility or in their communities. Grant awards must be utilized to initiate a developmental program or enhance and strengthen an existing program. Grant applications must align with one of the three pillars of the Iowa PGA Foundation – Juniors, Scholarships or Veterans.
The Pillar Grant is being awarded for the very first time in 2025. Lubs and Golf Waterloo is the first ever award winner. There can only be “one first ever.”
When asked on what this means to win, Lubs responded with, “Golf Waterloo is grateful to the Iowa PGA Foundation for their investment in junior golf through the Pillar Grant program. This funding will help us remove financial barriers and give more young golfers in the Waterloo area the opportunity to learn the game through PGA Jr. League. Thank you for supporting the next generation of golfers.”