Your Contributions

Thank you for your generous and critical support for the SPO Connection Youth Athletic Association.  This policy describes our treatment of contributions and payments associated with our events that we receive to advance our charitable mission. 

Mission:

The purpose of the Supporting Positive Opportunity Connection organization is to mentor, inspire, and teach youth through athletic competition, while promoting accountability, credibility, and integrity—instilling values that build character both on and off the basketball court and golf course while providing a positive community-building outlet. SPO Connection was established in 1987 as a founder funded nonprofit in Springfield, Massachusetts. 

SPO’s sole Mission is to support positive opportunities and community-building channels through engagement activities using volunteer support.

In 2025, SPO Connection expanded its outreach to incorporate SPO Caddie Assist - Adaptive Golf Support Services and Activities, which aims to provide comprehensive support for individuals with disabilities who want to engage in the sport of golf. With a primary focus on promoting inclusion, health recovery, healthy lifestyles, and social engagement through adaptive golf programs. By addressing the unmet needs of this under-served demographic, we plan to establish a self supporting venture while making a positive impact on the lives of people with disabilities.

Adaptive Golf Support Services is positioned to bridge the gap between the demand for inclusive golf experiences and the limited availability of such opportunities. By combining our passion for golf with our commitment to making a positive impact, we envision a future where individuals with disabilities can enjoy the benefits of golf while fostering a sense of belonging and empowerment.

SPO shall operate exclusively for charitable and educational purposes within the meaning of Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or the corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

This organization is open to all residing in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

And we are pleased you share in our mission. 

Charitable Contributions and Other Payments. The SPO Connection Youth Athletic Association (“SPO”) is a qualified public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code). Your contributions through our events is considered a charitable donation to SPO and tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. For that reason, charitable contributions that we received through events like The SPO Classic, Caddie Assists, The Lifetime Achievement Awards, and others are not refundable.  Your gifts are critical sources of our mission funding.  For companies and individuals serving as sponsors of our events, we are grateful and provide additional specifics about your contributions as sponsorship.  In addition to contributions, some events are ticketed.  All ticket sales to events, such as galas and golf tournaments, are final and are not refundable.  While you may receive some exchange benefits at the event, such as meals or entertainment, we put these payments towards our mission.  Please consult with your own tax advisor regarding the deductibility and treatment of your contributions and other payments.

Charitable Purpose Served by Event Income. Our events are being conducted to fundraise and encourage engagement in furtherance of the SPO charitable mission.  We have unrestricted use of the contributions and other payments associated with our events to serve our mission.  

Discretionary Authority. We retain full discretion and control over our events, including planning, schedule, and operations. SPO reserves the right to reschedule or cancel an event for circumstances beyond our reasonable control, or any other reason we deem it necessary or advisable, including without limitation, safety, health and wellbeing of our attendees, volunteers, staff or partners, logistical complications, public health concerns, severe weather forecast or other circumstances potentially affecting event operations, attendance or success. In such cases, SPO will make reasonable efforts to provide timely notice of postponement or cancelation.  For ticketed events, we will make reasonable efforts to reschedule or to exchange the ticket for a comparable event. We will notify you of changes.

Bottom Line:  At the SPO Connection Youth Athletic Association, we're on a mission to support positive opportunities and community-building channels through engagement activities.  We appreciate your support and understanding as we continue our mission to lead the fight for Supporting Positive Opportunities for our Youth in our Communities.