The International Gay Bowling Organization (IGBO) is dedicated to making a positive impact in the LGBTQ+ community and beyond through various charitable programs. Our initiatives include:
- Charitable Contributions: IGBO tournaments and events donated more than $130,000 to charitable organizations during the past year alone.
- Volunteer Events: At the IGBO Annual Tournament and Conference, volunteers give back to the community though various local agencies.
- Scholarships: We provide scholarships to help individuals pursue education and fund community projects, as well as give back to some first-time IGBO Annual Attendees.
- Fundraising Events: IGBO organizes events to raise funds for charitable causes, bringing our community together for a greater good.
- Get Involved: Learn how you can contribute or participate in our charitable activities and help us make a difference.
Join us in our mission to give back and support those in need!
Below are more details on our current programs designed to give back to our community and beyond.
The IGBO Presidential Scholarship
The International Gay Bowling Organization (IGBO) Presidential Scholarship was established to support and encourage LGBTQIA+ bowlers who are continuing their education while remaining active in both the bowling and LGBTQIA+ communities. This scholarship reflects IGBO’s ongoing commitment to strengthening our community, supporting future leaders, and helping the next generation of bowlers thrive both on and off the lanes.
Open to undergraduate, graduate, and trade school students attending accredited American institutions, applicants must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA and demonstrate active participation in bowling through collegiate teams, leagues, or tournaments. The application process includes a personal essay or video submission, a recommendation letter, academic transcripts, and bowling records.
The Michael O’Brien Sponsorship Program This sponsorship is made possible by the generosity of Michael O’Brien, a former IGBO Fellowship Award winner. Anyone who knew Michael was aware of his love and devotion to IGBO. Although he did not specify how to use the money he bequeathed to IGBO, after speaking with several people about Michael, we believe we have come up with an idea he would appreciate.
This sponsorship will benefit two individuals who are current IGBO league members and are attending their first IGBO Annual Tournament and Conference. The sponsorship includes $500, an IGBO shirt, and free entry to the next IGBO Annual Tournament and Conference. Winners will be chosen at the Banquet in Reno.
This is an ongoing yearly award and an open-ended sponsorship fund, always accepting donations to help bring new bowlers to our annual national event. If you would like to contribute to this endeavor, please contact the IGBO treasurer for more details.
Honoring IGBO Tournaments
IGBO honors tournaments who have reached significant milestones by making a contribution to the tournament’s charity of choice once they reach 20 years, and then every 5 years after that. Please contact us to let us know about your tournament’s anniversary.
Local IGBO Member Leagues and Tournaments
Each year local IGBO leagues and tournaments raise money and donate to their local communities. If you would like IGBO to highlight your donations, please email us so you can be added to our next newsletter! We would love to share your generosity with our members.
IGBO Donations
IGBO has a proven history of donating money to different charities through out the years. As we grow, we wanted to do more and that’s when the IGBO gives back campaign started. We make it our mission that when we choose a city to host our annual event that we can help give back to that community physically and monetarily.
Our local committee works with local charities to come up with ideas that allows our members to physically help support, whether it’s working with Food Pantries, Park cleanups, animal shelter help. We work with local people to make sure that this endeavor is successful and that we can hit the ground running when we get there. The response we have had from our members has incredible.
Some of our most recent recipients:
- Assisting Lives of Las Vegas
- Animal Foundation of Las Vegas
- Reno Food Bank
- Rochester Food Bank
- Pride Foundation
- West Seattle Food Bank
- New Haven Pride Center
- National AIDS Memorial
- Fostering Forward Michigan
- Colorado Gives
- Pet Alliance
- The Center for Youth
- AIDS Food Store
- SMYAL
- Frontline Response
- OUT Alliance
- AIDS Vancouver
- Snack bags for Denver Volunteers