Disc Golf Foundation
Announcements
The Disc Golf Foundation will award up to $10,000 in grants this year! Apply Now »
Mission
The Disc Golf Foundation (DGF), established in 2004 as a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization, is dedicated to the promotion and growth of disc golf. The key objectives of the DGF are as follows:
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Education
The DGF supports educational programs that promote awareness of the sport of disc golf.
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Cultural Endowment
Endowment projects financially support worthy cultural and historical institutions that reflect the evolution and spirit of disc golf.
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Advancement
The DGF funds qualifying initiatives which advance the growth of disc golf. The Matching Baskets Program, which funds half the costs for new disc golf courses on college campuses, is one example of an Advancement program. The Advancement program also allows for directed contributions to be made for qualifying projects.
Current Board Members
| Role | Name | PDGA # | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| President | Cristina Carlstrom | 14868 | Grand Blanc, Michigan |
| Treasurer | Shawn Risher | 75579 | Graniteville, South Carolina |
| Secretary | Dustin Locke | 84477 | Dallas, Texas |
| Board Member | Michael Correnti | 95101 | Cockeysville, Maryland |
| Board Member | Jeff Filipek | 55263 | Chaska, Minnesota |
| Board Member | Craig Nettleship | 54291 | Eden Prairie, Minnesota |
| Board Member | Derek Tonn | 35462 | Springfield, Minnesota |
Accomplishments
Education
To date, the DGF has provided information and materials regarding disc golf to over 700 organizations nationwide including:
- Educational facilities
- Recreation organizations
- Parks departments
- Charitable organizations
- Camps
- Service organizations
- Prisons / Juvenile Centers
Cultural Endowment
DGA used DGF support to establish the Ed Headrick Memorial Museum at the International Disc Golf Center in Appling, GA. Thousands of visitors to the IDGC have been delighted to see historical discs, photos and other artifacts from the genesis of the sport housed in this museum.
The Disc Golf Association also endowed a traveling disc golf history exhibit that premiered at the 2015 Pro World Disc Golf Championships in Pittsburgh, PA and has also exhibited at the Lemon Lake Flight Center in Crown Point, IN. Organizations interested in hosting this informative display should send a proposal to the Disc Golf Foundation.
The Disc Golf Hall of Fame in Appling, GA is also being supported through donations to the DGF.
Advancement
Collegiate Matching Baskets Program
Qualifying educational institutions can apply to the Matching Baskets Program to reduce the cost of installation of a new disc golf course. Through the DGF program, 9 baskets are donated to a limited number of colleges or universities, if the approved institutions purchase 9 baskets at retail price, pay for shipping of all 18 baskets, and agree to install and maintain the course on their property.
- Only colleges or universities are eligible.
- Golf course must be open to the public.
- Course must be on college property and be approved for this use by the college.
- If grant is awarded, the college must install the course within one year.
- A qualified designer must be involved. The DGF is happy to help locate a designer to provide assistance.
- A financial plan must be presented.
- Tee pads, signs, message board, and trash cans are recommended but the responsibility of the college.
Through contributions by Discraft, the Disc Golf Association and Innova-Champion, the DGF offers three different disc golf baskets: the Chain Star, the Mach V, or the DISCatcher. The choice of baskets is at the discretion of the college, but only one set of baskets will be offered a year by each of these manufacturers.
A total of 17 new courses have been installed to date through this program:
| School | Course(s) | City | State | Grant |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mendicino College | Mendicino College DGC | Ukiah | CA | 2004 |
| East Georgia College | East Georgia College DGC | Swainsboro | GA | 2006 |
| Berry College | Log Cabin DGC Winshape DGC |
Mt. Berry | GA |
2005 2007 |
| Southwestern Community College | Southwestern College DGC | Creston | IA | 2010 |
| Graceland University | Graceland University DGC | Lamoni | IA | 1999 |
| Idaho State University | Bengal Ridge at ISU | Pocatello | ID | 1998 |
| University of Southern Indiana | Eagle Valley at USI | Evansville | IN | 2002 |
| Georgetown College | Georgetown College DGC | Georgetown | KY | 1997 |
| Jackson Community College | Jackson Community College DGC | Jackson | MI | 2004 |
| Pearl River Community College | Wildcat Trace DGC | Poplarville | MS | 2002 |
| Mississippi State University | Chadwick Lake Disc Golf at MSU | Starksville | MS | 2010 |
| Campbell University | Campbell University DGC | Buies Creek | NC | 2010 |
| University of North Carolina | UNC Chapel Hill DGC | Chapel Hill | NC | 1999 |
| Mars Hill College | Mars Hill College DGC | Mars Hill | NC | 2004 |
| Tompkins Cortland Community College | Panther Highlands DGC | Dryden | NY | 2006 |
| Ohio University-Chillicothe | Ohio University-Chillicothe DGC | Chillicothe | OH | 2006 |
| Edison Community College | Duke Foundation DGC at Edison | Piqua | OH | 2009 |
| Elizabethtown College | Elizabethtown College DGC | Elizabethtown | PA | 1999 |
| Messiah College | Messiah College DGC | Grantham | PA | 2011 |
| Slippery Rock University | Slippery Rock University DG Links | Slippery Rock | PA | 2009 |
| University of South Carolina Upstate | USC Upstate | Spartanburg | SC | 2011 |
| Black Hills State University | Black Hills State University DGC | Spearfish | SD | 1997 |
| University of Wisconsin | UW Campus - Parkside East UW Campus - Parkside West |
Kenosha | WI |
2009 1999 |
Directed Donations
Many clubs have used the Advancement Program to allow donors to make contributions to specific qualifying projects. Funds may be directed for new courses, physical improvements to existing courses, or addition of amenities such as shelters or picnic tables. For example, new tee pads and other improvements to the Slippery Rock University course used at the Pittsburgh Pro Worlds in 2015 were funded through the DGF. Donors receive a tax receipt for their charitable donations.
Donate to the Disc Golf Foundation
There are currently two ways to donate to DGF.
- PayPal: Send donations via PayPal using the email address [email protected].
- Check:Make checks payable to Disc Golf Foundation and send to the address below.
Disc Golf Foundation
3100 Calli Crossing
Graniteville, SC 29829
Call for Volunteers
The DGF is looking for volunteers to ensure the continued growth of the organization. If you are interested in the DGF but not able to commit for an ongoing period, you may consider volunteering for specific projects (e.g. writing grants, website design, promotion of specific events) or a subcommittee working with one of the Directors. These types of volunteer positions will have a more limited duration and scope compared to the Board positions.
Please contact Elaine King to get more information about volunteer opportunities.