Dignity first
Nobody should have to perform their hardship to qualify for help. We ask for what we need and nothing more.
About us
Community of Caring Hearts Charity started with one family, one shortfall, and a foursome that decided to do something about it. Eighteen tournaments later the model has not changed much.
Our story
In 2008 a school counselor mentioned to her Saturday golf group that one of her students was about to lose her housing over a shortfall of a few hundred dollars. The four of them covered it that week, then decided the next year they would just hold a scramble and cover a lot more of them.
The first Caring Hearts Classic had 11 teams and raised $9,400. It has sold out eleven times since. Within two years the informal collection had become a board, a bank account, and a 501(c)(3) determination letter.
We took on the education fund when we saw how often a small tuition gap ended a promising run. We added partner grants when we realized other groups in town were better at some of this than we were, and deserved the help. What has never changed is the referral model: someone who already knows the family vouches for the need. That single design choice is why our approvals are quick and our fraud rate is close to zero.
Mission and values
Nobody should have to perform their hardship to qualify for help. We ask for what we need and nothing more.
A shutoff notice does not wait for a quarterly grant cycle. We review weekly and pay within five business days.
Our annual report, Form 990, and program spending breakdown are published every year without being asked for.
Money raised on that course is spent within twenty miles of it. Players can see the campus, the shelter, or the block their entry fee reached.
If a local group already does it better, we fund them instead of building a competing program.
We run one tournament a year instead of six mediocre fundraisers. It respects everyone's calendar and it raises more.
How a request moves
This really is a sequence, and here it is start to finish.
A teacher, counselor, case worker, clergy member, or partner agency submits the family and the specific need.
Staff confirm the amount with the landlord, utility, or school. We fund verified balances, not estimates.
Requests under two thousand dollars are approved by staff. Anything larger goes to the volunteer review committee.
Funds are sent directly to the vendor within five business days. The family receives confirmation, not a check to chase.
At thirty and ninety days we follow up. If the situation is still fragile, we connect the family to a partner charity for longer term support.
Our people
Replace these names, roles, and bios with your own team. Swap the initials block for a photo when you have one.
Executive Director
Former school counselor. The one who mentioned the student to her golf group in 2008.
Board Chair
Small business owner. Runs sponsorship sales and chairs the tournament committee.
Program Director
Runs intake, verification, and the thirty and ninety day follow ups.
Treasurer
CPA. Owns the annual audit, the Form 990, and the published spending breakdown.
Accountability
Help us help others
Every entry fee, every hole sign, and every donation goes into the same pot: scholarships for local students and emergency help for families down the street.