NEW YORK STATE GOLF ASSOCIATION FOUNDATION “Providing life changing opportunities to all communities through golf related programs” The Official Newsletter of the NYSGA Foundation
Winter 2021
FOUNDATION REPORT For many years, the NYSGA Foundation operated quietly, often overshadowed by the more visible activities of the NYSGA. It isn’t well known that since 2009, the NYSGA Foundation awarded $120,000 in grants to bring golf into elementary physical education curriculums across upstate NY. Or that over $300,000 in scholarship awards were given to deserving students during that same period. The association’s marketing team has worked hard to reverse this trend, helping to illuminate the Foundation’s primary initiatives: need-based scholarships for employees of NYSGA member clubs and providing access for junior golfers to play $5 rounds of golf through Youth on Course. The NYSGA Scholarship Fund, which awards up to $1,500 a year to deserving employees of NYSGA member clubs, saw record growth in 2021. Eleven new students earned scholarships this year, raising the total number of recipients to 31 for the 2021-22 academic year. The excitement generated by the dramatic increase in new recipients was dampened when numerous deserving students were left out. We strive to support all eligible students in financial need, and as we grow so must our focus on fundraising. In 2021, our generous supporters donated over $20,000, with $13,000 coming from November’s Giving Tuesday Campaign. The fundraiser was a great start, but to achieve this goal we must take it further. Our fundraising focus in 2022 is the newly created NYSGA Foundation Membership Program, which partners with clubs and individuals to raise funds. Participating clubs solicit donations directly from their members, which are reinvested into their employees. Golfers not affiliated with a club, or who are members of a club not part of the program, can join by donating at least $25 via the association’s website. We are confident that this program can generate a significant, sustainable revenue source that will allow us to greatly increase the number of scholarships awarded in the future. The NYSGA Foundation also proudly supports Youth on Course, a national program that provides junior golfers access to play 18-hole rounds of golf for just $5. Ensuring juniors have affordable access to golf is vital to fostering the next generation of golfers. While this is a newer Foundation initiative, we are encouraged by its growth, which is fully owed to our supporting clubs. Our focus for 2022 is expanding our reach by adding new clubs and partnering with junior golf programs to increase membership. I look forward to the opportunity to build on our progress in 2022 and am grateful for your support.
Andrew Hickey NYSGA Assistant Executive Director