Curious to know where your ticket and concession dollars go at this volunteer-run, nonprofit tournament? The Thunderbirds are happy to tell you.
Records are made to be broken, and the WM Phoenix Open did just that in 2023, raising an astounding $14.5 million for Valley charities at the conclusion of the event last February. According to the Thunderbirds service club – which owns and manages the tournament – it represents the largest sum ever raised in the 89-year history of the nonprofit event.
“Giving back to our wonderful community and helping people and families in need is easily the best part of being a Thunderbird,” says current Thunderbird “Big Chief” Pat Williams, who served as chairman of the 2023 WM Phoenix Open. “We are immensely proud of once again topping our previous record of charitable donations and reaching the $14 million mark for the second time. We understand the vital importance of an incredible support network, including the best title sponsor in sports in WM… Enormous charitable impact doesn’t happen without everyone working together, and we’re incredibly thankful to be a part of something so impactful.”
The previous record-high charitable figure for the WM Phoenix Open was $14.03 million, set in 2020.
Notable recipients of the 2023 funding cycle include Fresh Start, which used a $125,000 grant to help fund a nonprofit family-law support center for disadvantaged women and families.
Other WMPO Charity Recipients
$500,000
Valleywise Health Foundation: Provides burn care and other medical services to uninsured and needy patients.
$300,000
Human Services Campus: Benefits a 24-hour welcome center and other services for un-housed people in the Valley.
$200,000
Banner Health Foundation: Will help fund Banner’s Home Away From HomeCancer Patient Housing Community.
$190,637,790
Money raised by the tournament since 1932. More than $124 million of that sum has been raised since 2010, when WM was named title sponsor.
