“The WM Phoenix Open continues to show what’s possible when this community comes together behind a greater purpose,” said 2026 Tournament Chairman Jason Eisenberg. “Eclipsing the $20 million mark for the first time – and continuing to build on that momentum year after year – speaks to the dedication of our group, our partners, and the greatest fans in golf who make this event what it is. The impact of these dollars goes far beyond tournament week, supporting organizations across Arizona and changing lives throughout the year.”

Since WM was named title sponsor in 2010, The Thunderbirds and the WM Phoenix Open have now raised more than $180 million ($180,336,848) for local charities. In its 91-year history, the tournament has contributed more than $246 million ($246,413,414) to benefit nonprofits across Arizona — including more than $134 million in the past 10 years alone.

“Congratulations to The Thunderbirds on raising a record-breaking amount for charities in 2026,” said David Brannon, WM Area Vice President. “The WM Phoenix Open has an incredible impact on the community through its charitable and zero-waste efforts, and WM is proud to be a part of it.”

This year’s announcement was made at the Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center in Phoenix — a long-time partner that has been providing life-changing opportunities for people with disabilities for more than four decades. Founded in 1981, Ability360 is a nonprofit, federally funded Center for Independent Living (CIL) serving Maricopa and Pinal Counties, with a tradition of empowering programs for people with all types of disabilities.

Since 2006, Thunderbirds Charities has awarded more than $900,000 to Ability360, supporting world-class facilities, adaptive sports programming, and the independent living services that change lives every day.

The Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center is the only facility of its kind in the Southwest and has been recognized as a hub for adaptive sports since 2011.  The facility serves thousands of athletes each year, from youth just learning to play to Paralympians training for the world stage. In 2025, Thunderbirds Charities awarded $250,000 to upgrade the facility’s competition infrastructure, funding new Daktronics scoreboards, shot clocks, and scorer’s tables that meet the demands of elite adaptive athletics.

In 2018, a $100,000 grant funded the expansion of Ability360’s Breaking Barriers program — introducing adaptive kayaking and paddleboarding, indoor and outdoor rock climbing, a competitive swim team, and a weekly teen fitness program. Each sport was equipped with specialized coaching, adaptive gear, power soccer wheelchairs, and swim equipment and uniforms.

The partnership dates back to 2007, when Thunderbirds Charities contributed $100,000 to the capital campaign that built the Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center — a founding investment the organization honors to this day with the Thunderbirds Charities logo displayed prominently in the second-floor workout space.

“Ability360 has long appreciated the incredible generosity that The Thunderbirds and Thunderbirds Charities have provided to our organization,” said Ability360 President and CEO Chris Rodriguez.  “We value our remarkable relationship with them and I know that their commitment to our mission will continue to change lives for years to come.”