Davis Love III Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $864,898 (2024)
• Number of Grants: 61 awards in 2024
• Foundation Type: Private Independent Foundation
• Total Assets: $6,189,014 (2024)
• Geographic Focus: National and community-based programs with emphasis on coastal Georgia
• Application Method: Mixed - Friends of the Foundation program has open registration; other grants appear to be by invitation/selection

Contact Details

Primary Contact:

• Address: Davis Love Foundation, c/o Sea Island Golf Club, 100 Retreat Avenue, St. Simons Island, GA 31522
• Phone: (912) 634-3266
• Email: contactus@dlovefoundation.com

Friends of the Foundation Program Contact:

• Contact Person: Lizzie Cheek
• Phone: (912) 634-3271
• Email: lizzie@dlovefoundation.com

Website Information: The foundation's information is primarily available through the RSM Classic website at rsmclassic.com

Overview

The Davis Love III Foundation was established in 2005 by professional golfer Davis Love III and his wife Robin Love. The foundation is a private independent foundation headquartered at Sea Island Golf Club in St. Simons Island, Georgia. With total assets of approximately $6.2 million and annual charitable disbursements of approximately $865,000 (2024), the foundation has become a significant force for charitable work in coastal Georgia and beyond.

In 2010, the foundation partnered with the PGA TOUR to become the Host Organization of The RSM Classic, an official PGA TOUR event. This partnership has been transformational for the foundation's fundraising capacity. Over the years, The RSM Classic has raised nearly $48 million to support charities focused on children and families in need. The foundation is led by Mark Love (Davis Love III's brother) as Executive Director, with Todd G. Thompson serving as Tournament Director.

The foundation's mission is to help build a better future for children and their families who are at risk of poor educational, economic, social, and health outcomes. The foundation operates through multiple channels, including direct grants to selected organizations, the "Friends of the Foundation" fundraising program for local charities, and the RSM Classic's "Power of Love" and "Birdies Fore Love" charitable programs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Direct Grants to Selected Organizations

• Amount Range: Varies (specific examples include $15,000 grants and distributions from a $103,000 pool to 10 organizations)
• Selection: Primarily by invitation or foundation selection
• Process: Not publicly disclosed; foundation makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations

2. Friends of the Foundation Program

• Application Method: Open registration for 501(c)(3) organizations
• Timeline: Annual program (e.g., June 2 - November 14, 2025)
• Distribution: 100% of donations raised go directly to participating charity, plus bonus pool distribution
• Bonus Pool: $125,000 distributed based on fundraising performance
• Final Awards: Distributed after RSM Classic (early December)

3. RSM Classic Power of Love Program

• Amount: Raised over $5 million in 2024
• Beneficiaries: Over 100 charities across U.S., Canada, India, and El Salvador
• Selection: RSM office locations select local youth-focused charities; PGA Tour players designate charities

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses exclusively on programs supporting children and families, particularly those addressing:

1. Education - Programs improving educational outcomes for at-risk children
2. Economic Well-being - Supporting families facing economic challenges
3. Social Services - Community-based programs serving vulnerable populations
4. Health Outcomes - Programs addressing health disparities for children and families
5. Housing Stability - Support for women, children, and families affected by housing instability

Key Beneficiaries Include:

• Special Olympics (National, State, and Local)
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeast Georgia
• Southeast Georgia Health System
• Communities in Schools
• Safe Harbor Children's Center
• CASA Glynn
• Habitat for Humanity
• American Cancer Society
• School athletic departments and educational programs
• Youth arts and cultural organizations

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation:

• Does not accept unsolicited grant proposals for most grant programs (except Friends of the Foundation)
• Makes contributions primarily to preselected charitable organizations
• Focuses exclusively on children and families (does not fund other causes)
• Prioritizes organizations aligned with their mission around education, economic, social, and health outcomes

Governance and Leadership

Founders:

• Davis Love III: Professional golfer and tournament chairperson. Founded the foundation with his wife in 2005.
• Robin Love: Co-founder

Key Leadership:

• Mark Love: Foundation Executive Director (Davis Love III's brother; also co-owns Love Golf Design)
• Todd G. Thompson: RSM Classic Tournament Director (Compensation: $216,400 in 2024)
• John W. McKenzie: Marketing Director (Compensation: $134,987 in 2024)
• Jamie Bohler: Business Operations (Compensation: $89,347 in 2024)

Board Information: Public records indicate limited information about board members in charity databases, though as a private foundation they maintain governance structures required by IRS regulations.

Leadership Quotes

Davis Love III on the RSM partnership: "RSM has always pushed us as a foundation to get better and better, to do more things. It's not just my tournament. It's our foundation, it's RSM, it's Sea Island and the PGA Tour. We're all working towards the same goal, playing opportunities and putting on a great show."

On the importance of charity in golf: "Yes we need playing opportunities, yes we need investment, yes we need bigger purses, better TV ratings, but it was built for charity and as long as we keep that ‑ it doesn't have to be the No. 1 thing, but as long as that's a big part of what we do, then the fall is important because, one, it gives playing opportunities, two, it drives charity dollars."

On RSM as a partner: "Here we are at 15 [years] and RSM wants more. They want to help us make it bigger and better for them, for the community and for charity. They're not just a sponsor."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Friends of the Foundation Program (Open Application):

1. Eligibility: Must be a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization
2. Registration: Complete the Registration Form available on the RSM Classic website
3. Documentation: Submit with organization's non-profit documentation
4. Approval: The Davis Love Foundation reserves the right to approve or deny any charity
5. Contact: Reach out to Lizzie Cheek at (912) 634-3271 or lizzie@dlovefoundation.com for more information

For Other Grant Programs:

The foundation does not accept unsolicited grant proposals for its direct grant programs. According to multiple sources, the foundation "only makes contributions to preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests for funds." Organizations seeking grants outside the Friends of the Foundation program would need to be identified and selected by the foundation's leadership.

Decision Timeline

Friends of the Foundation Program:

• Registration Period: Opens early in the year (e.g., June 2025)
• Fundraising Period: June through mid-November
• Tournament Date: Late November (RSM Classic)
• Distribution Date: Early December following the tournament

Other Grant Programs:

• Timeline not publicly disclosed
• Grants appear to be distributed throughout the year
• Some grants connected to RSM Classic charitable initiatives distributed around tournament time

Success Rates

Specific success rates and application statistics are not publicly available. However:

• The foundation made 61 grant awards in 2024
• For Friends of the Foundation program, eligibility is primarily based on 501(c)(3) status and mission alignment with children/families
• Foundation reserves right to approve or deny participating charities

Reapplication Policy

Not explicitly stated, but the Friends of the Foundation program is an annual program, suggesting organizations can participate year after year. For direct grants, no public reapplication policy is available.

Application Success Factors

For Friends of the Foundation Program:

1. Mission Alignment is Essential: Organizations must focus on children and families in need, particularly addressing educational, economic, social, or health outcomes

2. Active Fundraising Capacity: The program rewards organizations that can mobilize their donor base - "the more contributions your organization raises, the more bonus dollars" you receive from the $125,000 bonus pool

3. Local Coastal Georgia Presence Helpful: While national organizations are supported (e.g., Special Olympics), there is strong emphasis on coastal Georgia community-based programs

4. 501(c)(3) Documentation: Must be current and submitted with registration

For Invitation-Based Grants:

1. Alignment with RSM's Corporate Values: Many beneficiaries are connected to RSM office locations and their employee-selected charities focused on youth

2. Focus on Youth and Families: As Davis Love III stated, charities must "support the needs of children or families"

3. Education and Leadership Development: RSM encourages donations to "charitable organizations dedicated to building tomorrow's middle market leaders through programs that support education"

4. Hunger, Housing, and Health: These are specific focus areas mentioned in RSM US Foundation's areas of interest

5. Established Track Record: Many recipients appear to be established organizations with proven impact in their communities

6. Geographic Connection: While national organizations are supported, strong preference for organizations serving the coastal Georgia area where the foundation is based

Strategic Insights:

• The foundation values partnership and collaboration over traditional grant-seeking relationships
• Multi-year relationships are common with beneficiaries appearing repeatedly
• Organizations that can mobilize community support do better in fundraising programs
• Direct connection to children's outcomes is emphasized in all funding priorities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. The Friends of the Foundation program is your best entry point - This is the only publicly accessible grant opportunity with a clear application process. Register early and plan a strong fundraising strategy to maximize bonus pool distribution.

2. Mission alignment is non-negotiable - Your organization must serve children and families at risk of poor educational, economic, social, or health outcomes. General charity work or other causes will not be considered.

3. Build local connections if possible - The foundation has strong ties to coastal Georgia and the Golden Isles community. Local organizations or those serving this region have a clear advantage.

4. Fundraising capacity matters for the Friends program - Since bonus pool distribution is based on fundraising performance, organizations with strong donor bases and mobilization capabilities will benefit most.

5. For direct grants, focus on relationship building - Since the foundation does not accept unsolicited proposals for most grants, organizations should seek connections through the RSM Classic events, RSM office locations, or community partnerships in coastal Georgia.

6. National organizations with local impact can succeed - Special Olympics (national, state, and local levels) receives support, showing that national organizations with demonstrated local impact are viable candidates.

7. Consider the RSM connection - RSM's Power of Love program selects charities in communities where RSM has offices. If your organization is in an RSM market and serves youth, explore whether local RSM employees might select your organization.

References

1. Davis Love III Foundation Profile, Cause IQ - https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/davis-love-iii-foundation,202920597/ (Accessed February 2026)

2. About The Davis Love Foundation, RSM Classic PGA TOUR Event - https://rsmclassic.com/about-us/about-the-davis-love-foundation/ (Accessed February 2026)

3. Davis Love III Foundation, ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/202920597 (Accessed February 2026)

4. Friends of Davis Love Foundation, RSM Classic - https://rsmclassic.com/charity/friends-of-dlf/ (Accessed February 2026)

5. "How Davis Love III and RSM Raise Charity Money with the RSM Classic," Pro Golf Now, December 2022 - https://progolfnow.com/2022/12/13/davis-love-rsm-charity/ (Accessed February 2026)

6. "RSM's Power of Love Program Raises More Than $5 Million," RSM Newsroom, 2024 - https://rsmus.com/newsroom/2024/rsms-power-of-love-program-raises-more-than-5-million.html (Accessed February 2026)

7. "Under One Roof Receives $15,000 Grant from Rich's Products and Davis Love Foundation," Communities of Coastal Georgia Foundation, October 2024 - https://coastalgeorgiafoundation.org/news/under-one-roof-receives-15000-grant-from-richs-products-and-davis-love-foundation (Accessed February 2026)

8. Davis Love III Foundation Profile, Charity Navigator - https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/202920597 (Accessed February 2026)

9. Davis Love III Foundation Profile, Grantmakers.io - https://www.grantmakers.io/profiles/v0/202920597-davis-love-iii-foundation/ (Accessed February 2026)

10. Davis Love III, Team RSM - https://rsmus.com/about/team-rsm/davis-love-III.html (Accessed February 2026)