Wherever we turn in our modern age, we see charity events looking to raise money for any number of wonderful causes, both locally and globally. With so many other events out there and charities in need of the all important resources, it can be somewhat of a challenge to pique interest in the general public. The list of funding options is never ending. Putting together a tournament can be a fun and rewarding way to raise funds for your favorite charity.

Don't look now, but here comes cornhole!

With the pandemic and the concern over social distancing, cornhole has grown in popularity in the last decade and a half and people from all over the nation, and the world, are being turned onto this fun and thrilling recreation for their family get-togethers and functions. Tournaments grab the interest of novice players who want to put their newfound skills to the test against other more skilled players of the game.

When it comes to a charity event, cornhole is the ideal answer. While there are certainly other options, such as kickball, softball tournaments, golf outings, motorcycle rides and the like, cornhole can be played by anyone at any age, any skill level and there is no need to differentiate between young and old, male or female.

Organize your cornhole tournament

The first thing you will need to effectively organize a cornhole game tournament is a location. Check with your local city or village halls and park directors. Town parks, especially ball fields, are ideal locations. In most cases a weekend will allow the highest number of potential participants. Each town will have its own requirements make sure that you understand what is permits you are required to obtain and what you will be responsible for.

Next, determine the number of people who will be playing at your tournament. It might pose a challenge to determine this without having any inclination as to the interest it might generate in your area. Getting the word out on social media or using an email campaign will help with estimating participation. Asking for early signup or even offering a discount for early entry is encouraged. Based on space and number of boards available (we will cover that next.) it would be a good idea to limit the total number of players. How you structure your play is up to you. Most common would be a double elimination event where even if a team looses in the first round they still have an opportunity to win it all.

Securing cornhole boards and bean bags

Space is always a factor when considering how many boards to use. You will need space to accommodate a number of cornhole games, all set up for regulation play (27 feet apart). The more you have, the less time people will be standing around waiting for their turn. Many people own their own cornhole boards and would be willing to donate them for the day's use. Partnering with a local establishment that runs a league may be a good way to obtain boards.

Prizes, prizes, prizes

Most local stores and shops will be happy to supply free goods and services as a donation for you charity event. Ask each business if they will be able to donate to this wonderful cause. Usually, it's a good idea to do this before advertising the tournament, because with some great prizes and fun, you will be able to charge more and subsequently make more for your charity event.

Make everything legit

Make sure to check with local and state authorities to ensure that your charity event is run lawfully in place to oversee such events. You can never be too safe and don't assume that you think you know about a rule or regulation -make certain.

Ultimately, the more fun you have organizing the event, the more fun your participants will have and that will lead to more interest in a follow-up cornhole tournament.