Created in 2025, the Arizona Golf Fund (AGF) grows resources for golf nonprofits to help them deliver a wide range of life-skills, recreational, and therapeutic programs to Arizonans from every walk of life. The AGF supports the local golf community to give all Arizonans access to golf and the extraordinary benefits it provides well beyond simply playing the game.
In its very first year the AGF awarded $350,000 to several nonprofits within the local golf ecosystem as an intentional, strategic and philanthropic move to bolster one of Arizona’s most impactful industries. The grants help empower each nonprofit’s ability to extend their reach and positively engage even more people through the game of golf. It acts as a force-multiplier for a broad suite of entities, including those headquartered at the Arizona Golf House, the new hub of golf in the state.
Beneficiaries of the first wave of grants include AZ Golf Foundation, First Tee – Phoenix, Junior Golf Association of Arizona, Southwest PGA Foundation, Evans Scholars Foundation/ASU House, First Tee – Tucson, Cactus and Pine Golf Course Superintendents Association, Junior Golf Association of Arizona Foundation, USGA*LPGA Girls Golf – Phoenix, Desert Mashie Golf Club and National Golf Player Development Foundation.
The AGF is housed at the Arizona Community Foundation (ACF), which for more than four decades has worked in tandem with generous individuals, families, and organizations to address some of the biggest challenges facing the state.
The AGF’s convenient portal makes it easy to participate. Those interested in helping may donate to any golf nonprofit of their choice, or contribute to a pooled approach, managed by the AGF board in one of three ways.
• Donor Directed Funds: Funds are deposited into an account with the AGF, managed by the ACF. Annual interest flows to a designated golf charity, or it can be directed to the AGF where it will be granted to nonprofits. The principal may be withdrawn at any time.
• Annual or Multi-Year Contribution: An annual donation may be made to the AGF. Again, a particular nonprofit may be designated, or contributions may be made to a general fund for distribution through grants.
• Capital Project Funding: Many golf nonprofits have capital needs for expansion, research, facilities, programs, and more. There are several projects currently planned that require significant donations or endowments.
Each year Arizona’s golf industry produces a $6 billion economic impact, in many cases, felt by those who never even pick up a golf club. The game drives an estimated $100 million in charitable fundraising, and it teaches hundreds of thousands of kids valuable life lessons while only using 2% of the state’s water resources. Golf is good for everyone, and through the Arizona Golf Fund, you can help protect the future of the game and everyone who depends on it. Click the button below to learn more about the Arizona Golf Fund.
