Utah leaders gathered Tuesday at The Country Club for The Readers Cup, a charity golf event that raised $1 million to help Utah children become confident, capable readers, according to a October 20 report from the Salt Lake Chamber.
The event brought together PGA Tour player Tony Finau and various Utah business leaders to support literacy programs aimed at helping Utah children read at grade level by 2030.
The proceeds from the event will support the Utah Community Builders’ Literacy Match program and The Tony Finau Foundation Literacy Center. These initiatives work toward the Utah Rising goal of 100% third-grade reading proficiency by 2030.
The charity event included a six-hole scramble and a six-hole exhibition featuring four of Utah’s top golfers, including literacy advocate Tony Finau. Supporters of the event included the Clark and Christine Ivory Foundation, The Boyer Company, and Jeff and Sonia Woodbury.
The $1 million raised will impact two specific programs. The Literacy Match program, from Utah Community Builders, connects donors with specific kindergarten through third-grade literacy needs identified by Utah elementary schools. Support through this program ranges from classroom materials and family literacy nights to intervention resources and staffing.
The Tony Finau Foundation literacy center, located in West Valley City, focuses on improving literacy for the whole family while providing basic needs and mental health resources.
More than 50,000 Utah K-3 students are not yet reading on grade level. Because third grade is a critical milestone for high school graduation probability, Utah leaders are working together to provide evidence-based support to help students catch up.
Businesses and individuals interested in joining the effort can find information about the Literacy Match program or the Tony Finau Foundation online. Further information regarding Utah Rising is available at utahrising.com.
