At Puddletown Chess, we don’t just teach chess—we build a community where everyone has the opportunity to learn, compete, and grow. A big part of that mission is making sure chess is accessible to all, no matter their background. That’s why donations play a huge role in what we do.
Over the years, our donations—both cash and in-kind—have helped fund scholarships, provide free or discounted training, and support chess organizations that share our vision. And the impact has only grown.
Where Do Our Donations Go?
Every dollar we donate helps make chess more accessible and inclusive. Here’s how we allocate our support:
- Chess Sets & Clocks
We provide essential equipment to schools, libraries, and community clubs, ensuring that more students have the tools they need to learn and play chess.
- Grants & Scholarships
We help players of all skill levels access training and tournaments by offering financial support for coaching, competition entry fees, and travel costs for those who qualify for major events.
- Free & Discounted Services
We support underprivileged, underserved, and underrepresented players by offering free or discounted lessons, tournament fees, and mentorship programs, so financial barriers don’t stop anyone from playing.
- Chess Organization Support
We partner with organizations like the Oregon Chess Federation, Oregon Scholastic Chess Federation, and Portland Chess Club to strengthen competitive chess in our community. Our contributions help fund tournaments, training initiatives, and outreach programs.
How Our Donations Have Grown
If you look at the numbers, our impact has skyrocketed over the years.
- 2021: We started small, donating $1,500 to chess programs.
- 2022: Contributions remained steady, but we refined our strategy to make each donation more effective.
- 2023: Donations jumped to nearly $9,000, allowing us to expand our scholarship programs.
- 2024: We broke the $29,000 mark, helping us provide even more support to school programs and individual players.
- 2025: So far, we have already donated over $25,000, with plans to contribute even more by the end of the year.
📊 Total donated so far: $54,692!
This isn’t just about numbers—it represents real players getting the support they need to thrive. Every donation means more students getting access to chess sets, more scholarships awarded, and more free training sessions for those who need them.
Why It Matters
Chess isn’t just a game—it’s a tool for learning, growth, and opportunity. It teaches critical thinking, problem-solving, patience, and strategy, all skills that benefit players beyond the chessboard.
By giving back, we’re ensuring that more students—regardless of their financial situation—get the chance to experience chess and all the benefits it offers.
When we support young chess players today, we are building the chess champions, coaches, and leaders of tomorrow.
How You Can Help
Our donation strategy is simple: The more we raise, the more we give. But we can’t do it alone.
Here’s how you can contribute:
- Donate to Puddletown Chess – Every dollar goes directly toward funding scholarships, equipment, and training programs.
- Sponsor a Chess Club – Help us support more schools by donating chess sets and materials.
- Spread the Word – Share our mission with friends, family, and your community to help us reach more people who may want to support chess education.
👉 Donate today and be part of the change
You can simply send the money to our registered 501c(3) nonprofit
Here are all donation payment options available for you.
- 1. Zelle to puddletownchess@gmail.com (PREFERRED by Puddletown)
- 2. PayPal to puddletownchess@gmail.com
- 3. Venmo to @puddletownchess
You can reach out before or after the donation and we will gladly give you a receipt that you can use with your taxes after consulting with a professional.
Together, we’re making chess accessible to everyone—one move at a time.
