Building Tomorrow, an Indianapolis-based nonprofit that works to promote quality, inclusive education for children in rural Uganda, has switched up its popular annual fundraiser, the friendly competition known as the Indy Burger Battle, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Restaurants in the Indianapolis area will be serving their own set of signature sliders and ticket holders can taste each to decide whose is the most scrumptious. Tickets to a burger "passport", valid for two slider-sized burgers from all participating restaurants, are $35 each and can be purchased here.

For this years' Indy Burger Battle, taking place from July 31-August 9, ticket holders can sample burgers from participating restaurants by dine-in or carry-out for the duration of the event. At the end of the 10-day battle, participants will vote to determine the People's Choice Champion to crown the best burger in Indianapolis. This shift to a virtual and more flexible event is an opportunity to support local Indianapolis-area restaurants during this trying time while staying safe and continuing to help fulfill the critical work of Building Tomorrow.

Presented by Red Gold, competitors in the 2020 Indy Burger Battle include the reigning Critics' Choice Champion, Flamme Burger, the reigning People's choice Champion, Spoke & Steele, Binkley's Kitchen & Bar, Broad Ripple Brew Pub, Burgerhaus, Gallery Pastry Shop (Downtown location only), Kilroy's Bar & Grill (Broad Ripple and Downtown locations), Ralston's Drafthouse, Rush on Main (Zionsville and Brownsburg locations), and Smokehouse Catering Company. More restaurants may be added prior to the start of the battle on July 31. Restaurants will serve their sliders during normal business hours, through dine-in or carry-out, and beverages, sides, and other items will be available for additional purchase.

All proceeds from Indy Burger Battle ticket sales will benefit event organizer and Indianapolis-based nonprofit Building Tomorrow and its vision of a world where all children have access to an inclusive, transformative education, while increasing support for Indy-area restaurants we all know and love.

"While this has been a difficult and turbulent time across the world, I am thrilled that Building Tomorrow was able to get creative and find a way to safely host this well-loved local tradition," said George Srour, founder of Building Tomorrow. "In 2019, we had more than 1,200 people join us to vote for Indy's best burger and this year, we are hoping the community will come together to support both our well-loved local restaurants as well as inclusive, transformative education opportunities for underserved children in East Africa at the same time."Updates leading up to the event and during the battle will be posted on Building Tomorrow's website and social media. The winning restaurant will be announced after the event ends, on Monday, August 10, with a trophy and a potential live online event. In the case of mandated restaurant reclosures due to COVID-19, all ticket purchases will be converted to donations to Building Tomorrow. Refunds will be available upon request.

For more information on purchasing tickets and more for the 2020 Indy Burger Battle, click here.