Memorial Tournament Fundraisers & Legacy Events

Honor a legacy and bring people together to make an impact.

Channeling Grief into Support for People in Need

How communities move forward after devastation or loss is incredibility important. Channeling grief into impact brings people together and creates meaningful connection. Whether establishing a first-ever memorial tournament or adding a fundraising component to a long-standing event, raising money can bring people together when they need it most.

  • Memorial and legacy events are held in memory of someone who has passed away or to honor someone who has contributed a remarkable legacy. These events give friends, family, and supporters a way to come together, share stories, and raise funds for cause typically related to the person being honored.

  • Many families hold memorial tournaments to support nonprofits, launch or grow scholarship funds, or raise dollars for research and awareness. Consider picking a cause that aligns with the person you are honoring, their loss, or a group or organization they were passionate about.

  • When planning an event to honor someone’s legacy, focus on elements that reflect who they were and what mattered to them. Share their story through photos, favorite quotes, or a short tribute that highlights their values, passions, and impact. Consider incorporating symbolic touches—like a moment of silence, their favorite color in the event design, or a playlist of songs they loved. Look for ways to create opportunities for others to share memories and participate personally and meaningfully. Legacy is about connection—help people feel it.

  • Memorial events often center around sports and activities that reflect the personality or passions of the person being honored—creating a meaningful and joyful way for friends, family, and the community to come together. Common formats include cornhole and pickleball tournaments, golf scrambles, fun runs, and softball games, all of which allow for casual participation and easy conversation. Many events are structured with brackets, round robins, or open play to accommodate all skill levels. Adding elements like team t-shirts, custom signage, or a short remembrance ceremony before the event helps set the tone and keep the focus on connection, celebration, and shared memories.

  • Keep a steady pace for a memorial tournament, with a combination of round robin and possibly an elimination round or two. This provides some friendly competition and an opportunity to incorporate fundraising elements like mulligans or do-overs, skills-based side games, raffles, long-toss pools, and more. Be sure to award some prizes and leave space for awards and a few words.

A powerful, user-friendly platform makes it easy.

Memorial tournaments require planning, coordination, and a delicate touch to honor and pay tribute in meaningful ways. RecDay eases the logistical burden, streamlining planning, registration, sponsorships, recognition, and everything in between.

The result: An event that keeps organizers and supporters focused on what matters most—honoring a loved one in a way that supports their legacy by making a broader impact.

Explore Other Event Types

  • Nonprofit Fundraisers

    Raise dollars for important causes with charity sporting events and tournaments that benefit 501(c)3s. As competitive or social as you decide, events boost revenue by engaging existing donors and attracting new support through entry fees, sponsorships, raffles, auctions, and more.

  • Alumni Events

    Reconnect graduates with their alma mater and each other. Alumni events strengthen community ties, instill pride, and create networking opportunities. They also help schools showcase achievements, spotlight alumni, share updates, grow membership, and build support for future initiatives.

  • Memorial Tournaments

    Honor friends, family, and loved ones with memorial tournaments that celebrate their legacy while uniting the community in their memory. Providing a coordinated opportunity to raise funds for meaningful initiatives or charities in their honor, ensures a lasting impact and legacy.

  • Community Events

    Bring your neighborhood, school, or church community together with an exciting event that inspires connection. Tournament fundraisers are perfect for uniting people around shared goals and causes and creating fun opportunities for to become more deeply involved and connected.

  • Sports Team Fundraising

    Tournament fundraisers offer sports teams an easy and impactful way to rally support. These events help raise dollars to help cover travel, equipment costs, and other major expenses while bringing players, families, and fans together. They’re a fun and effective way to build team spirit and community support.

  • School Fundraising

    Call on alumni, families, local businesses, and others to support your school community. Tournaments are powerful fundraising opportunities for schools, creating opportunities for connection while raising funds for important programs, resources, and initiatives.

  • Corporate Wellness Events

    Promote wellness and team-building in the workplace. Accommodate all skill levels with multiple brackets for a fun and inclusive experience. These events encourage employees to get active, foster positive team dynamics, and support meaningful causes.

  • Corporate Social Responsibility

    From employee giving challenges to corporate outings, hosting a sporting event or tournament fundraiser is a powerful way for businesses to showcase CSR (corporate social responsibility). Activate clients, engage employees, and strengthen team dynamics while supporting those in need.

  • Municipal & Township Events

    Promote your community’s values and showcase local amenities. Sporting events and tournament fundraisers bring residents together and can help communities align behind a specific initiative. Make a local economic impact while also highlighting amenities.

  • Support Drives

    Looking to raise funds for a specific need, initiative, or opportunity? Sporting events and tournament fundraisers draw active, engaged supporters while offering a fun and memorable experience. These events are versatile and engaging, making it easy to rally support for your cause.

  • Disaster Relief Fundraisers

    When disaster strikes, bringing people together ignites support and momentum. Sporting events and tournament fundraisers can come together quickly and involve a variety of people and businesses while also making a positive impact on the local economy.

Ready to launch a memorial event?

The team at RecDay is here to help with everything from launching your event website to brackets and match schedules. Get in touch below to get started.