Victory LogoThe IWGA Victory Fund

The IWGA Victory Fund began during World War II as the "IWGA Victory Tournament".  To support the troops, clubs and womens golf associations would annually run a golf tournament or other event of their choice to raise funds for the IWGA.  The IWGA would provide token prizes to be awarded to the winners and the funds collected from across the state were combined to provide significant financial support for worthy causes.

 

Today, the focus has shifted from supporting the troops to supporting the women and girls of Illinois who love the game of golf.  The token prizes have been replaced by award plaques and clubs and associations may raise funds in whatever manner they choose.

 

Annually, the IWGA supports the following programs:

 

  • The Julia H. Dodds and Helen Spencer Scholarship Awards
    • The IWGA distributes one or more $2,000 scholarship to young women who have demonstrated scholastic achievement along with service, dedication and a sense of integrity in her life that mirrors the honor and integrity of this great game of golf.
  • The IWGA Mini-Grant Progam
    • A minimum of 10 Illinois women's collegiate golf programs are selected for grants of up to $2,000 to assist with their golf programs.  Grants are distributed based on need and the intended use of the funds.
  • The Mills Breast Cancer Institute at the University of Illinois
    • $2,000 is directed annually to the Mills Institute.  Linda Mills was a life-long board member of the IWGA.  Her family's donation to the U of I upon her passing enabled the University to create a ground-breaking breast cancer research and treatment center.
  • The UVS Swing Club (supported through the CDGA)
    • The UVS Swing Club was discontinued in 2018 as a separate organization, but the support for blind veterans was taken up by the CDGA.  Following the heritage of supporting the troops, the IWGA is continuing its support for the veterans by donating $2,000 each year CDGA to be ear-marked for their Veterans Program
  • USGA Junior Girl's qualifier stipend
    • Each junior girl who qualifies for the US Junior Girls' Championship receives a $200 grant to assist with the cost of attending the championship

 

The annual donations are increased to match any excess funds that were received in the previous year by distributing extra Julia Dodds scholarships or Mini-Grants. 

 

Annually over $28,000 is distributed and the IWGA has distributed over $1.2 Million dollars since the Victory Fund's inception.