AKRON, Ohio – With combined proceeds from the 2024 Kaulig Companies Championship and the Ambassador of Golf Event presented by FirstEnergy Foundation, $1,343,640 was raised for Northeast Ohio charities.
The 2024 donation is the largest annual charitable total ever generated from professional golf events at Firestone Country Club, surpassing the record that was set in 2023.
With the 2024 donation, events at Firestone Country Club have now generated more than $33 million in charitable giving through professional golf tournaments, dating back to 1984. The 2024 tournament marked the second year with title sponsor, Kaulig Companies, for this PGA TOUR Champions major event. Next year’s tournament dates are June 18-22, 2025.
“We are excited to continue a record setting pace with this year featuring the largest charitable donation by a tournament held at Firestone,” said Kaulig Companies Championship Executive Director Don Padgett III. “Thank you to our title sponsor, Kaulig Companies, for everything they bring to the event as well as Bridgestone, Westfield, FirstEnergy Foundation, and Northern Ohio Golf Charities. We appreciate all our supporters, volunteers, and fans for their contribution to benefit Northeast Ohio. We look forward to building on this success while continuing to provide something for everyone – including concerts, local food, family fun, and fantastic golf from legends of the game.”
“At Kaulig Companies, we’re making a difference in the lives of children and families in our community,” said Executive Chairman Kaulig Companies, Matt Kaulig. “For over 70 years, Firestone Country Club has been a stage for some of the greatest golfers in history and a staple in professional golf. But it’s more than a tournament, it’s an opportunity to celebrate and give back to Northeast Ohio, which is a part of this event’s legacy. We’re proud to be the title sponsor of this tournament and its role in making a lasting and positive impact in our community.”
Charities that will benefit include:
100 Women Strong
A Kid Again
Akron Children’s Hospital Foundation
Akron Zoo
Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank
Ben Curtis Family Foundation
Cavaliers Foundation
Cleveland Clinic Akron General – Challenge Golf
Cleveland Guardians Charities
Cleveland Kids Book Bank
Cleveland Zoological Society
Cornerstone of Hope
Edna’s House
Empower Sports
First Tee Canton
First Tee Cleveland
First Tee Greater Akron
Folds of Honor
Heart of a Lion Foundation
Hope Meadows
LeBron James Family Foundation
NASCAR Foundation
Northeast Ohio Foundation for Patriotism
Northern Ohio Golf Charities & Foundation
PitCCh In Foundation
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation
Ronald McDonald House
The Turn
Tiretown Golf Charities
UH, Drusinsky Sports Medicine Institute
United Way, Summit Medina
University of Akron Athletics
Vision to Learn
In addition to the organizations listed, more charities will be announced next year that will receive funding.
World Golf Hall of Fame member Ernie Els is the defending champion of the Kaulig Companies Championship. Golf’s legends will return to Firestone Country Club to compete for this PGA TOUR Champions major from June 16-22, 2025. For more information on the 2025 Kaulig Companies Championship, please visit kauligchampionship.com.