GoFundMe recently announced that it has formed a one year partnership with The Basketball Tournament (TBT), presented by Jack Link’s Protein Snacks. The duo is looking to launch a new fundraiser next month for Big Brothers Big Sisters organization.
The organizations revealed that The Basketball Tournament will reserve the 16th spot in each of the tournament’s four regions (Northeast, South, Midwest, West) for the teams that raise the most funds to support their local Big Brothers Big Sisters affiliate through the crowdfunding platform.
The Basketball Tournament stated the contest is made up of 64 teams that will play in four regions of 16 apiece. The top team in each region will receive “automatic” bids. TBT will then select the remaining at-large teams in each region, with the exception of the teams that win the GoFundMe charity fundraising competition. The 64-team field will then compete for the $2,000,000 winner-takes-all grand prize. The top 100 fans of the winning team will share 10% of the prize, splitting $200,000.
The four local chapters of Big Brothers Big Sisters will receive the funds. These are the following:
- Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region (Philadelphia)
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Charlotte
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties (Chicago)
Jon Mugar, CEO and founder of The Basketball Tournament, stated:
“This partnership with GoFundMe and Big Brothers Big Sisters not only gives teams another way of getting into the tournament, but it will also benefit the communities in which we play. One thing we’ve learned since announcing a $2 million prize is that it’s going to be difficult to become one of the 64 teams selected. We already have hundreds of teams applying. By nature of our process, our teams and fans are already social media savvy, grassroots organizers, so fundraising should come naturally to them.”
Pam Iorio, president and CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, commented:
“It is great to see an event like this turned into an opportunity to help children across the country,” said . “By partnering with TBT, Big Brothers Big Sisters local affiliates will be able to match more children with supportive mentors.”
GoFundMe CEO Rob Solomon added that GoFundMe is excited to work with The Basketball Tournament on the project. Teams that are participating may create their GoFundMe campaign starting June 2nd at 12 p.m. ET, and the funding period is set to close on June 13th at 12 p.m. ET.