The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren announces 2024 charitable donation

December 26, 2024

At Behind Your Design, we are proud to have played a key role in organizing and coordinating the Small Business Marketing campaign for The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren. This collaborative effort brought together 50 businesses from Frankenmuth to Rochester, amplifying awareness and participation for the 2024 tournament. Our campaign not only highlighted local small businesses but also contributed to the overall success of the event, which raised over $1 million for charitable organizations, including more than $884,000 for Genesee County charities. The campaign’s success demonstrates the power of community collaboration and strategic marketing in driving meaningful impact.

SEVENTH ANNUAL PGA TOUR CHAMPIONS EVENT GENERATES MORE THAN 

$1 MILLION FOR CHARITY IN SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN AND BEYOND

GRAND BLANC, Mich. – Officials of The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren announced today that the seventh playing of the official PGA TOUR Champions event, which concluded August 25, 2024, at Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club, raised a total of $1,005,260.21 for charitable organizations in southeastern Michigan and beyond, surpassing the $1 million mark for the fifth time in the tournament’s brief history.


Since its inception in 2018, The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren has donated nearly $8.4 million to support charity. 

This year’s total includes $884,679.74 in support of Genesee County Charities. Overall, more than 31 charities were positively impacted by The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren this year, including a portion of the funds for 24 plus crucial programs identified by the tournament’s primary beneficiary, United Way of Genesee County (UWGC). 


For more than 100 years UWGC has been addressing educational outcomes, health access, financial stability, and the basic needs of Genesee County residents; the UWGC leverages donations from more than 200 workplace campaigns and individual investors to support over 150 programs. Last year dollars raised impacted over 100,000 lives representing every zip code of Genesee County. 


The tournament’s investment will impact more than 30,000 individuals in Genesee County through three priority areas: Financial Literacy, Affordable Housing and Employment. 


“Thank you to all the fans, players and sponsors who attended the 2024 Ally Challenge,” said James Gaskin, CEO, United Way of Genesee County. “Your participation is supporting home repairs with Habitat for Humanity; helping homeless veterans get back on their feet at My Brother’s Keeper; teaching kids the importance of fiscal management; and more than 20 other crucial programs helping our most vulnerable neighbors. A very special thank you to Ally and McLaren for this opportunity to impact our community.” 


The Ally Challenge’s 2024 total charitable giving amount contains money generated through several philanthropic tournament initiatives, including the Ally Charity Chip In, Tickets FORE Charity and the dollars raised by this year’s Celebrity Challenge. 

"Surpassing the $1 million mark for the fifth time is a proud moment for us and reflects our deep commitment to southeastern Michigan,” said Mike Rizer, executive director of corporate citizenship at Ally. “These funds will support vital programs that create stronger, brighter futures in the communities we serve. We are incredibly grateful for the unwavering support of our sponsors, participants, and volunteers whose dedication makes this achievement possible. Together, we are making a lasting difference in the lives of thousands, and we look forward to continuing this impactful journey." 


“These significant charitable dollars raised through the unwavering commitment of sponsors, organizers, volunteers and patrons are a true testament to the value this tournament brings to our region,” said Laurie Prochazka, VP of Community Partnerships at McLaren Health Care. “These funds will benefit thousands of people in meeting basic needs over the next year. McLaren could not be more proud to join with our tournament partners in delivering an event that makes such a positive impact on people’s lives.” 


In addition to UWGC, The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren’s 2024 tournament efforts benefited additional charities and non-profits in the region, from operational partners such as Grand Blanc Schools and Charlie’s Forever Farm, to youth development programs like First Tee of Eastern Michigan, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Flint and Flint Junior Golf, among others. Furthermore, the tournament continues to grow stronger each year and make a meaningful difference in the region with an estimated annual economic impact of over $20 million. 


“On behalf of HNS Sports Group and our tournament staff, I would like to thank Ally, McLaren Health Care and all our sponsors and fans for helping make the gift of these funds a reality,” said Erin Stone, Director of Business Development and Community Relations, The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren. “The tradition of giving this tournament has established in the southeastern Michigan community is inspiring and we are committed to growing that charitable spirit for years to come.” 

The 2025 Ally Challenge presented by McLaren will take place the week of August 18 – 24 at renowned Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club. 


The Ally Challenge will be one of the premier Regular Season events on the PGA TOUR Champions in 2025, which will give way to the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs⎯a season-ending, three-tournament series used to determine the TOUR’s season-long champion. 


All three rounds of The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren will be broadcast on Golf Channel. 


For more information about The Ally Challenge, please visit theallychallenge.com. For the latest Ally Challenge news and updates on social media follow the tournament on Twitter and Instagram at @AllyChallenge and on Facebook at Facebook.com/AllyChallenge. 



About The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren 

The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren is an official event on the PGA TOUR Champions owned and operated by Tournaments for Charity, a Michigan non-profit corporation. This 54-hole stroke play golf tournament features 78 PGA TOUR Champions professionals competing for a $2 million purse at the historic Warwick Hills Golf & Country Club in Grand Blanc, MI. The event is designed to showcase the best golf on the PGA TOUR Champions for the enjoyment of spectators and to benefit local charities in the greater Flint area. All three official rounds will be internationally televised on the Golf Channel. 

For more information about The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren, please visit theallychallenge.com. For the latest Ally Challenge news and updates on social media, follow the tournament on Twitter and Instagram at @AllyChallenge and on Facebook at Facebook.com/AllyChallenge. 

About Ally Financial 

Ally Financial Inc. (NYSE: ALLY) is a digital financial services company committed to its promise to "Do It Right" for its consumer, commercial and corporate customers. Ally is composed of an industry-leading independent auto finance and insurance operation, an award-winning digital direct bank (Ally Bank, Member FDIC and Equal Housing Lender, which offers mortgage lending, point-of-sale personal lending, and a variety of deposit and other banking products), a consumer credit card business, a corporate finance business for equity sponsors and middle-market companies, and securities brokerage and investment advisory services. A relentless ally for all things money, Ally helps people save well and earn well, so they can spend for what matters. For more information, please visit www.ally.com and follow @allyfinancial. 

For more information and disclosures about Ally, visit https://www.ally.com/#disclosures. 

For further images and news on Ally, please visit http://media.ally.com. 

About McLaren Health Care 

McLaren Health Care, headquartered in Grand Blanc, Michigan, is a $7.3 billion, fully integrated health care delivery system committed to quality, evidence-based patient care and cost efficiency. The McLaren system includes 13 hospitals in Michigan, ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, a 640-member employed primary and specialty care physician network, commercial and Medicaid HMOs covering more than 732,838 lives in Michigan and Indiana, home health, infusion and hospice providers, pharmacy services, a clinical laboratory network and a wholly owned medical malpractice insurance company. McLaren operates Michigan’s largest network of cancer centers and providers, anchored by the Karmanos Cancer Institute, a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center. McLaren has 28,000 full-, part-time and contracted employees and more than 113,000 network providers throughout Michigan, Indiana and Ohio. Learn more at mclaren.org. 

About HNS Sports Group 

HNS Sports Group is a Dublin, Ohio-based LLC founded in 2000. The company offers over 125-plus years of collective experience and is committed to providing professional, efficient and effective client representation in the categories of sponsorship consultation, event management, hospitality management, sales representation and tournament operations within the golf market. To learn more about HNS Sports Group, visit www.hnssports.com. 

Media Contact 

Thomas P. Sprouse 

Director of Communications, 

The Ally Challenge presented by McLaren 

E-Mail: tsprouse@hnssports.com 

Office: 614-889-6791 

Mobile: 614-519-1873 

### 

Bring Your Brand Into the Light: Why Solar Ink Makes Promotional Products Stand Out

June 9, 2026
In a world full of branded merchandise, it takes something different to capture attention and make a lasting impression. That’s where Solar Ink comes in. SolarPro Ink is a unique printing technique that keeps your design nearly invisible indoors. Once exposed to sunlight or UV light, the graphic suddenly appears in full color. It feels unexpected, interactive, and memorable.
Four decorated drink cans and a black sneaker lined up on a black table against a white wall.

Koozies: Incredibly Practical Promo for Summer and Beyond

June 8, 2026
Koozies are versatile promotional items for events. Enhance your brand visibility with custom designs. Contact us for options!

Raised Embroidery Sweatshirts: Adding Dimension, Texture, and Impact to Your Brand

May 8, 2026
When it comes to promotional apparel, the details really do matter. One of the best ways to elevate a sweatshirt or hoodie is through raised embroidery, a technique that gives logos a bold, dimensional look you can see and feel. We recently created a custom zip-up hoodie for the Maryville Retreat Center using raised embroidered logo detailing. The result was a piece that didn’t just display their brand, it brought it to life through texture and craftsmanship. For Maryville Retreat Center, the goal was to create apparel that felt welcoming, durable, and aligned with their mission. The raised embroidered zip-up hoodie achieved that balance, offering a clean design with just enough texture to make it feel special. It works well for staff, volunteers, and guests, making it both functional and meaningful. What Is Raised Embroidery? Raised embroidery, sometimes called 3D or puff embroidery, uses specialized stitching and sometimes a foam base to lift parts of a design off the fabric. Instead of lying flat like print, the logo stands up from the garment, creating depth and texture. It’s a simple technique that instantly makes apparel feel more premium and intentional. Why Raised Embroidery Works So Well It elevates the look and feel Raised embroidery adds instant dimension, which naturally makes apparel feel higher quality. Even simple logos look more refined when they have texture and depth. It creates a strong first impression Because the design physically stands off the garment, it catches light differently and stands out without needing bold colors or oversized artwork. It’s built to last Embroidery is stitched into the fabric, not sitting on top of it. That means no peeling or cracking over time, even with regular wear and washing. It works especially well on hoodies and sweatshirts Heavier fabrics like fleece hold embroidery well, allowing the raised stitching to stay clean and structured. It helps strengthen brand recognition A textured logo becomes more noticeable and memorable, helping your brand stand out in everyday settings. Raised embroidery turns apparel into something people actually notice and remember. It’s a small detail that makes a big difference in how your brand is perceived. 

Capturing the Story of Epic Machine Through Professional Photography

May 8, 2026
Showcasing a Michigan Manufacturing Company Through Professional Photography

Premium Items Are a Meaningful Investment for Your Team

May 5, 2026
Not all promotional products are the same, and that is a good thing. Different goals call for different types of items. Sometimes a simple, cost-effective giveaway works perfectly. Other times, a higher-end product creates a more meaningful experience. We recently worked with Interactive Training Systems to create custom embroidered Carhartt cooler backpacks as a gift for their employees. This is a great example of how thoughtful promotional products can elevate a brand and strengthen team connection.

Intentional Branding in Action: A Logo Design for Interactive Training Systems

May 5, 2026
In industries like engineering, manufacturing, and automotive, innovation never slows down. The companies that stand out are always thinking about what comes next. That mindset should show up not just in what you do, but in how you present your brand. We recently partnered with Interactive Training Systems to create a logo design that reflects both where they have been and where they are going. The end result is a modern brand identity that supports their continued growth. Why Intentional Branding Matters A logo is often the first impression your business makes. It should quickly communicate who you are and what you stand for. For companies in technical industries, that means finding the right balance. Your branding needs to feel modern and forward-thinking, while still showing experience and credibility. Every detail plays a role, from typography to color to overall style. A strong logo helps build trust, show expertise, and set you apart from competitors. A Thoughtful Approach to Logo Design Interactive Training Systems came to us looking for a logo that captured both their history and their future. As a company focused on technical training and innovation, it was important that their brand felt precise, smart, and adaptable. We started by getting a clear understanding of their business, their audience, and their goals. From there, we explored concepts that included: Clean, modern lines to show forward movement Subtle technical elements tied to engineering and manufacturing A polished look that reinforces trust The final design feels current, while still staying true to their foundation. Branding That Grows With You Your brand should evolve as your business grows. Too often, companies treat logo design as a one-time project, but it should be something that supports you long-term. This new logo gives Interactive Training Systems a strong foundation for what is ahead. It reflects innovation while still respecting their history, which is key in an industry like theirs. Why the Right Partner Makes a Difference Good branding comes from collaboration. It is about working with a team that listens, understands your vision, and knows how to bring it to life. At Behind Your Design, that is always the goal. We focus on creating branding that not only looks good, but actually works for your business. If your current branding no longer reflects where you are headed, it might be time for a refresh. The right logo can make a bigger impact than you think.
Show More