Nearly $17 million was raised by this summer’s John Deere Classic, a staggering amount considering the Quad Cities is one of the smallest markets per capita on the PGA Tour.
“The John Deere Classic is proud to announce a record-setting $16.9 million raised for charity in 2025, along with an incredible 9% bonus match for the 460 incredible organizations participating in Birdies for Charity,” said Tournament Director Andrew Lehman.
That highlights the impact the tournament has on the region, home to title sponsor John Deere, which helped create The Bonus Fund with a grant supported by other generous donations. This ensures that every dollar pledged through Birdies for Charity goes even further. Additionally, John Deere covers the entire Birdies for Charity program, allowing participating charities to receive 100% of every donation without paying any administrative fees.
“The Bonus Fund is what truly sets Birdies for Charity apart,” said Micaela Booth, Director of Birdies for Charity. “These unrestricted dollars are game changers for our participating nonprofits. They allow organizations to respond to urgent needs, invest in long-term growth, and expand their reach in ways that restricted funding often doesn’t allow. It’s one of the most meaningful parts of what we’re able to offer through this program.”
The John Deere Classic continues to lead the PGA TOUR in per capita charitable giving, with this year’s total equating to $45.19 for each of the Quad Cities’ 375,000 residents—a distinction the tournament has proudly held for more than a decade.
John Deere powers the John Deere Classic with precision and pride.
“This record year is a testament to the unwavering generosity of our entire region—John Deere, our corporate partners and the thousands of community members who give year after year,” Lehman continued. “John Deere’s deep-rooted commitment to corporate citizenship continues to be the driving force behind the tournament’s success and the life-changing impact we’re able to make together.”
Earlier this year, the tournament celebrated surpassing $200 million in all-time charitable giving since its inception in 1971. With this year’s total, the official number now stands at $206,597,020—an astounding 99% of which has been raised since John Deere became the title sponsor in 1998.
In addition to its fundraising success, the tournament’s Birdies for Charity contest—which invites fans to guess the number of birdies made during the event—produced five finalists who correctly guessed 2,102 birdies. One lucky winner will receive a two-year lease on a vehicle courtesy of Smart Lexus of Quad Cities, the contest’s Grand Prize Sponsor. Smart Lexus of Quad Cities also serves as the tournament’s Official Transportation Sponsor, providing courtesy cars for players to use while competing in the tournament.
For more information about the John Deere Classic and Birdies for Charity, visit johndeereclassic.com and birdiesforcharity.com
