A charity golf event held at The Country Club raised $1 million to support literacy initiatives aimed at helping Utah children become confident and capable readers. The event, known as The Readers Cup, brought together PGA Tour player Tony Finau and various Utah business leaders to fund programs targeting third-grade reading proficiency.
Funding for Literacy Initiatives
The $1 million in proceeds will support two primary initiatives designed to assist young readers across the state. The funds will benefit the Literacy Match program, a new initiative from Utah Community Builders that connects donors with specific kindergarten through third-grade literacy needs identified by elementary schools. This program allows donors to choose the type of support they wish to provide, which is then paired with a matching school need. Supported resources include classroom literacy materials, family literacy nights, intervention resources, literacy staffing, and multi-school initiatives.
The second beneficiary is the Tony Finau Foundation, which operates a literacy center in West Valley City. The center focuses on improving literacy for the whole family while providing basic needs and mental health resources. According to Tony Finau, the foundation was established in 2015 to give back to the west side of Salt Lake City, where he grew up, specifically focusing on providing resources for the youth.
A Moral Imperative
The event featured a six-hole scramble and a six-hole exhibition showcasing four of Utah's top golfers, including Finau. As KSL News reported on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, the gathering allowed business leaders to hear from various founders regarding the necessity of improving literacy rates for Utah's youngest residents.
During the event, Christine Ivory, president of the Clark and Christine Ivory Foundation, described supporting literacy as a "moral imperative." Ivory noted that when teachers, families, and communities invest in early readers, it provides children with the confidence that comes from reading independently. The Clark and Christine Ivory Foundation, established in 2003, focuses on building sustainable communities and meeting critical demands in education, specifically early childhood literacy.
The Push for 100% Proficiency
The fundraising efforts are part of a broader mission known as Utah Rising, which aims for 100% third-grade reading proficiency by 2030. This goal follows an earlier target of 90% that was adjusted after discussions with Hope Eccles.
Derek Miller, president and CEO of the Utah Chamber, stated that the private sector should take responsibility for guiding the state's economy. Miller noted that eight out of every ten dollars circulating through Utah's economy is created by the private sector. He emphasized that the original goal of 90% proficiency was insufficient, stating, "Anything less than 100% is not appropriate when it comes to our kids being able to read."
Addressing Literacy Gaps
The need for these literacy programs is driven by statistics showing that more than 50,000 Utah K-3 students are not yet reading at their grade level. Christine Ivory reported to the group at the Salt Lake Country Club that there are approximately 183,000 children in kindergarten through third grade in Utah, and for the past 10 years, over half of those children have not been reading at a proficient level.
Third grade is considered a critical milestone, as students who read proficiently by the end of that year are statistically more likely to graduate from high school. Research indicates that with consistent, evidence-based support, the vast majority of young readers who fall behind can catch up.
Personal Connection to Reading
Tony Finau, a six-time PGA Tour winner, shared how reading served as a personal avenue for learning after he grew up in Salt Lake City without a college degree. Finau, who enjoys reading self-help, leadership, biographies, and the Book of Mormon, noted that reading provided the knowledge necessary to gain a "step up in life."
Finau also discussed his "Birdies for Books" pledge, through which he donates books to the Salt Lake City School District. Under this pledge, a birdie on tour results in 25 books, an eagle results in 50 books, and a tournament win results in 1,000 books. Since the creation of the Tony Finau Foundation Literacy Center in West Valley two years ago, literacy levels at the center have increased by 19%, while also providing assistance with food distribution, vision screenings, and other essentials.
Community Support
The charity event saw support from several prominent organizations and individuals, including the Clark and Christine Ivory Foundation, The Boyer Company, and Jeff and Sonia Woodbury.
As the initiative continues, Utah Community Builders aims to leverage private sector innovation to drive progress on community issues. The organization, a program of the Salt Lake Chamber Foundation, works to engage businesses in addressing pressing challenges affecting Utah families and the workforce.
