No wonder Anika Martin is so at home in her new role as manager of donor and community impact at the John Deere Classic’s Birdies for Charity program. Ms. Martin’s connection to the JDC runs deep. Today, Ms. Martin, 42, heads up the Bonus Fund, which ensures nonprofits participating in Birdies for Charity receive an […]
Already a subscriber? Log in
Want to Read More?
Get immediate, unlimited access to all subscriber content and much more.
Learn more in our subscriber FAQ.
- Unparalleled business coverage of the Iowa City / Cedar Rapids corridor.
- Immediate access to subscriber-only content on our website.
- 52 issues per year delivered digitally, in print or both.
- Support locally owned and operated journalism.
No wonder Anika Martin is so at home in her new role as manager of donor and community impact at the John Deere Classic’s Birdies for Charity program. Ms. Martin’s connection to the JDC runs deep.
Today, Ms. Martin, 42, heads up the Bonus Fund, which ensures nonprofits participating in Birdies for Charity receive an additional financial boost.
Before taking on her current role in January, she had been a volunteer at the Quad Cities PGA tournament for 32 years – a tradition that began in her grade school days with her parents.
Her mother, Linda Leaf, and stepfather, Bob Leaf, are longtime volunteers, with 42 and 40 years of service, respectively. The family tradition now includes her daughter, who also volunteers at the event.
“The irony is if I didn’t get this job, I’d be out here as a volunteer this week either way,” Ms. Martin said ahead of the 2024 tournament at TPC Deere Run, Silvis. “It’s just a big part of our lives.”
Born and raised in Moline, she is deeply rooted in her community. Despite the busy nature of her job, she finds joy in spending time with her children and supporting their activities with her husband, Greg. She has a 14-year-old son Dylan, and a 7-year-old daughter Aria.
Ms. Martin graduated in 2004 from Illinois State University with a degree in public relations and communications and fulfilled her dream of working at Walt Disney World for three years.
“I learned a lot about customer service and relations,” she said. “It was an intense couple of years, but I was glad to do it.”
Upon returning to the Quad Cities, she transitioned into the fundraising sector, spending over a decade at the Two Rivers YMCA in Moline. There, she not only raised funds but also experienced the benefits of Birdies for Charity firsthand.
“I got to see how important it is to these charities,” she said. “For some, it’s a big percentage of their annual budget.”
Each year, these nonprofits fundraise with the assurance of receiving a minimum 5% bonus on all pledges made through the program. Depending on the strength of the Bonus Fund, this bonus can sometimes be as high as 10%.
Ms. Martin’s work is crucial in supporting the nearly 500 local nonprofits, making sure every dollar in the Bonus Fund is maximized to benefit these organizations.
Just last fall, the Birdies for Charity celebrated its 30th anniversary with a local record of $14.1 million raised for charity during the annual local PGA Tour stop in 2023.
JDC Tournament Director Andrew Lehman proudly points out that the Quad Cities area of fewer than 500,000 residents reigned again as the PGA Tour’s top fundraiser per capita. By comparison, the Waste Management Phoenix Open – with its earned reputation as the greatest regular party stop in pro golf — contributed $17 million back to charity in an area of more than 5 million people.
Local charities involved in Birdies for Charity do not incur administrative fees, ensuring 100% of donations go directly to their causes. With the unwavering support of John Deere’s $325,000 matching grant and the fundraising efforts connected to the Bonus Fund, these charities continue to thrive and make a significant impact.
Ms. Martin’s passion for the John Deere Classic and Birdies for Charity made her transition to her current role a natural fit. She is thrilled to combine her professional skills with her personal commitment to the tournament and its charitable impact.
“I just really feel like this fits,” she said. “I’ve seen the work Birdies for Charity does from both sides. I’ve seen how it impacts our community, how it makes a difference. I love what I’m doing. I love being a part of that.”
