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3M Open Fund

Annual Giving
$1.1M
Grant Range
$1K - $0.5M
Decision Time
1w

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,115,375 (2023)
  • Total Given Since 2019: Over $8 million
  • Grant Range: Varies from scholarships to six-figure grants for pillar charities
  • Geographic Focus: Minnesota, primarily Twin Cities metro area
  • Application Method: Invitation only for pillar charities; public application for Birdies for Charity program
  • Impact: Over 1 million lives impacted since 2019

Contact Details

3M Open Tournament Office

Key Staff:

Overview

The 3M Open Fund is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation established in 2019 when 3M and the PGA TOUR created the 3M Open golf tournament. The fund was designed to ensure that all net proceeds from the annual tournament go back to support local and regional charitable organizations in Minnesota. Operating under the philosophy of "Golf That Matters," the fund has donated over $8 million to charity since its inception, impacting more than 1 million lives. The tournament is managed by Pro Links Sports and takes place annually at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota. The fund seeks to celebrate Minnesota community charities that improve the lives of children and young adults through science-based education and youth development programs. In 2023, the fund distributed $1,115,375 in grants across 19 awards.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Pillar Charity Partnerships

  • The fund selects a small number of pillar charities year-over-year based on community needs
  • These organizations receive the largest grants from tournament proceeds
  • Recent pillar charities have included 6 primary partners
  • Grant amounts for pillar charities typically range from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand dollars

3M Open Birdies for Charity Program

  • Open application process for Minnesota nonprofits
  • Organizations can register online to participate
  • Charities solicit per-birdie pledges from donors based on the total birdies made during the tournament
  • Participating charities receive 100% of pledged donations PLUS a 5-10% bonus from the 3M Open Fund Bonus Pool
  • Approvals typically issued 1-3 days following registration
  • Does not accept flat donations - all must be per-birdie pledges

Social Justice Leadership Award

  • Created in 2021 in partnership with Greater Twin Cities United Way
  • Recognizes champions from the Twin Cities community working on social justice initiatives

Scholarship Programs

  • In 2024, sixteen scholarships were awarded to Folds of Honor Minnesota
  • Supports spouses and children of fallen or disabled military service members and first responders

Priority Areas

  • Youth Development: Programs that build character and life skills for young people
  • Health Care: Particularly pediatric care and children's hospital support
  • Science-Based Education: STEM programs and science museum initiatives
  • Community Support: Food security, foster care system improvements, social services
  • Social Justice: Equity initiatives and community strengthening
  • Military Families: Educational support for families of service members and first responders
  • Youth Golf Programs: Character development through golf

What They Don't Fund

The fund focuses exclusively on Minnesota nonprofits, particularly those serving the Twin Cities metro area. While specific exclusions aren't documented, the fund's focus on children, young adults, education, and community development suggests priorities lie outside of general operating support for organizations that don't align with these themes.

Governance and Leadership

Management Structure

The 3M Open Fund is managed by Pro Links Sports, a Florida-based firm that has overseen PGA tournament operations since 1992.

Executive Leadership:

  • Hollis Cavner - Executive Tournament Director and CEO of Pro Links Sports. Cavner has been leading Pro Links Sports since 1992 and previously worked with ESPN and the USGA on tournament operations. He is also founder and CEO of The Royal Club in Lake Elmo, Minnesota.
  • Mike Welch - Tournament Director, responsible for day-to-day tournament operations
  • Jennifer Hines - Assistant Tournament Director

3M Corporate Leadership:

  • Denise Rutherford - Former 3M Company senior vice president of corporate affairs and president of the 3M Open Fund. Rutherford stated: "The 3M Open is truly golf that matters" and emphasized that "despite not having fans in attendance, the 3M Open will remain a platform to give back and build more resilient communities."

Key Quotes from Leadership

Denise Rutherford emphasized the fund's mission: "The 3M Open Fund seeks to celebrate Minnesota community charities, who improve the lives of children and young adults through science-based education and youth development programs. The fund's primary goal is to make this community stronger and it is a mission our tournament staff takes seriously throughout the year, not just one week."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Pillar Charity Status: No Public Application Process

The 3M Open Fund does not have a public application process for becoming a pillar charity. These primary beneficiaries are selected by the fund's leadership based on community needs and strategic alignment with the fund's mission. The selection appears to be by invitation only.

For Birdies for Charity Program: Public Application Available

Organizations can participate in the fundraising program through these steps:

  1. Visit the online registration site on the 3M Open website
  2. Complete the registration for your nonprofit organization
  3. Await approval from the Tournament Office (typically 1-3 days)
  4. Once approved, begin soliciting per-birdie pledges from donors
  5. Donors pledge a certain amount per birdie made during the tournament
  6. After the tournament, donors receive invoices and pay online via credit card or by check
  7. Participating charities receive 100% of pledged donations plus 5-10% bonus from the fund

Important Note: The Birdies for Charity program does not permit flat donations - all contributions must be structured as per-birdie pledges.

Decision Timeline

  • Birdies for Charity: Approvals issued 1-3 days following registration
  • Pillar Charity Selection: Occurs year-over-year based on community needs; specific timeline not publicly disclosed
  • Payment After Tournament: Donors are invoiced after the July tournament concludes; charities receive funds once payments are collected

Annual Tournament Timeline

The 3M Open is held annually in July at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota. Organizations interested in the Birdies for Charity program should register well in advance of the tournament to maximize fundraising time.

Application Success Factors

For Organizations Seeking to Become Pillar Charities

Since pillar charity selection is by invitation only, organizations cannot directly apply. However, based on the fund's history, successful pillar charities share these characteristics:

  1. Mission Alignment: Strong focus on improving lives of children and young adults through science-based education and youth development
  2. Minnesota Focus: All pillar charities serve the Minnesota community, particularly the Twin Cities metro area
  3. Community Need: Selection is based on current community needs, which have evolved from science education (2019) to COVID-19 relief and social justice (2020) to broader youth development
  4. Established Reputation: Pillar charities include well-known institutions like University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital, Science Museum of Minnesota, and National Park Foundation
  5. Measurable Impact: Organizations that can demonstrate significant positive impact in the community

Historical Beneficiary Evolution

  • 2019: Three initial pillar partners - University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital, Science Museum of Minnesota, and National Park Foundation (over $1.5 million distributed)
  • 2020: Shift to eight major charity partners focused on COVID-19 relief and social justice - M Health Fairview University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital, Greater Twin Cities United Way, VEAP, Urban Ventures, Lake Street Council, YWCA of Minneapolis, YWCA of St. Paul, and Science Museum of Minnesota ($1.5 million raised)
  • 2024: Six pillar charities including First Tee - Minnesota, M Health Fairview Masonic Children's Hospital, Greater Twin Cities United Way, SHSGA, Folds of Honor, Foster One, and YWCA of Minneapolis

For Birdies for Charity Participants

  1. Strong Donor Network: Success depends on the organization's ability to solicit per-birdie pledges from supporters
  2. Promotional Capacity: Organizations must actively promote their participation and encourage donor engagement
  3. Golf Community Connection: Organizations with ties to the golf community may find it easier to engage supporters
  4. Clear Mission Communication: Ability to articulate how funds will be used to support the organization's mission

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • The 3M Open Fund operates on an invitation-only model for pillar charities - there is no traditional grant application process for major funding. Organizations cannot apply to become pillar beneficiaries.
  • The Birdies for Charity program offers an accessible entry point - Minnesota nonprofits can register online and raise funds through per-birdie pledges, receiving 100% of donations plus a 5-10% bonus.
  • Focus on youth, education, and community impact - The fund consistently supports organizations that improve lives of children and young adults through science-based education and youth development programs.
  • Community needs drive pillar charity selection - Beneficiaries have evolved from science education (2019) to COVID-19 and social justice (2020) to broader youth development, demonstrating responsiveness to current community priorities.
  • Building relationships is essential - With no public application for major funding, organizations should focus on establishing visibility in the Minnesota philanthropic community and demonstrating strong community impact.
  • Geographic focus is strict - All funding goes to Minnesota organizations, with heavy emphasis on the Twin Cities metro area.
  • Annual giving totals over $1 million - The fund distributed $1,115,375 in 2023 and has given over $8 million since 2019, making it a significant source of funding for Minnesota nonprofits.

References

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