ATLANTA – The TOUR Championship announced a record $7.2 million contribution from the 2024 event, up from $6.96 million in 2023. The announcement was made during the annual Start:ME Accelerator Program graduation at Emory University’s Goizueta Business School, an event that celebrates local entrepreneurs and highlights the program’s role in creating opportunities for microbusinesses in communities across Metro Atlanta.

The TOUR Championship has now raised more than $63 million for local nonprofits since the event was first staged at East Lake Golf Club in 1998. With the support of its Proud Partners Accenture, Coca-Cola, and Southern Company, the event has contributed to five key community organizations: East Lake Foundation, First Tee – Metro Atlanta, Focused Community Strategies, Grove Park Foundation and Purpose Built Schools Atlanta, among others.

"We’re incredibly proud to announce a record $7.2 million in community impact funds this year. This achievement reflects the unwavering support we receive from our partners, fans and the Atlanta community. It’s because of that support that we’re able to continue investing in initiatives that make a real difference in the lives of those who call Atlanta home,” stated Alex Urban, Executive Director of the TOUR Championship.

One of the initiatives supported by the TOUR Championship’s community efforts is Start:ME, which is delivered by Goizueta Business School in partnership with the East Lake Foundation, Focused Community Strategies, Friends of Refugees, the Grove Park Foundation and Purpose Built Schools Atlanta. The program provides entrepreneurs from underserved areas with essential resources, including mentorship, business training and access to funding. Since its inception in 2013, Start:ME has empowered over 500 entrepreneurs in Metro Atlanta to launch and grow resilient microbusinesses. In the East Lake community alone, 177 Start:ME microbusinesses generated more than $9.5 million in combined annual revenue and employe nearly 400 people in addition to the founders.

“Supporting local entrepreneurs is essential to building a stronger, more vibrant community. It’s great to celebrate the success of these entrepreneurs alongside the TOUR Championship’s record $7.2 million contribution to many of our wonderful partners, which helps make initiatives like ours thrive,” said Start:ME Program Director Erin Igleheart.

The TOUR Championship is proud to support local initiatives and the success of these efforts would not be possible without the incredible support from fans, partners and the community. By attending the tournament and getting involved, fans help fuel these important programs, creating lasting opportunities for Metro Atlanta’s communities.

For more information about the 2025 event, visit TOURChampionship.com. Fans are encouraged to follow the TOUR Championship on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for tournament updates.