FRIENDS of JAGA

WE ARE LOOKING TO GROW AND COULD USE YOUR HELP!

In 2022, the Jacksonville Area Golf Association (JAGA) launched FRIENDS OF JAGA to elevate the organization’s impact, effectiveness and scholarship giving. With our first year’s success and costs still very much on the rise, JAGA is relaunching FRIENDS in 2023. As a JAGA tournament participant, a parent of one or someone who just supports and believes in the good things JAGA does for golf in Northeast Florida, we hope you will consider supporting FRIENDS OF JAGA.

Campaign Focus

JAGA consists of two entities, JAGA Operations (a 501(c)(4)) and the JAGA Charitable Trust (a 501(c)(3)). The former conducts the general business affairs of JAGA (i.e., tournaments, meetings, annual banquet, general business, and administration, etc.) and has since 1954. The latter manages JAGA’s college scholarship program and has since 1974.

For years, the primary means of funding JAGA Operations has been entry fees and member club dues, which clearly limits the scope of things JAGA can do in terms of managing its affairs and having more impact on golf in Northeast Florida!

The focus of the JAGA fundraising campaign is to solicit funds for JAGA Operations. Funds raised will be used to meet the growing costs and demands associated with running a non-profit, to support and enhance the impact, look and capabilities of JAGA, and allow the organization to grow. At the end of the year, a portion of proceeds from the “Friends” program will be earmarked for JAGA’s scholarship program.

How Funds Will Be Put To Work

Fundraising monies will be used to support the following needs:

1. Increase the JAGA operating budget
2. Counteract rising costs in the areas of host club fees, website, insurance, legal and administrative functions
3. Keep contestant costs down
4. Invest in new branded materials to improve the presentation and professionalism of JAGA tournaments
5. Underwrite BlueGolf tournament management platform fees and administrative costs
6. Provide an additional source of income for JAGA’s scholarship program
7. Build a reserve fund to protect the JAGA Operations’ unit and build for JAGA’s future

In summary, make JAGA a better organization!

About JAGA

• Established in 1954, JAGA is to local golf what the Florida State GA is to golf in Florida and the USGA is to golf in the U.S.
• JAGA consists of two units – JAGA Operations, a not-for-profit 501(c)(4) corporation, and the JAGA Charitable Trust, a not-for-profit tax-exempt 501(c)(3) corporation. You would be supporting JAGA Operations.
• JAGA Operations is comprised of approximately 40 member clubs/courses in Northeast Florida. It is an all-volunteer organization except for one part-time BlueGolf administrator.
• The focus of JAGA Operations is to promote interest and participation in the game of golf on all levels, arrange competitions, promote fellowship, unity, interaction and continuity among its member clubs and area golfers, disseminate news, and support other area organizations that have similar interests through golf, as well as support the mission of the JAGA Charitable Trust.
• JAGA Operations annually conducts and supports up to 12 tournaments, including six championship events and six others that feature team formats. It also co-sanctions/supports the annual “Celebration of Golf” banquet and the Underwood Cup, both in conjunction with the Northern Chapter of the North Florida PGA, and the First Coast Women’s Amateur.
• Each member club is represented by up to six volunteer Directors, who interface with their home club on behalf of JAGA.
• The JAGA Charitable Trust oversees a scholarship program that annually provides college funding for up to 35 area students. Since 1974, the program has generated approximately $2 million in financial aid for approximately 400 students. JAGA directors generate funds separately for the Trust via events they conduct at their clubs. It has also benefitted greatly over the years from foundation pledges/commitments.