Partnerships
First Tee Massachusetts is lucky enough to have several partners whose support is instrumental in our ability to deliver our game-changing Life Skills Curriculum to kids and teens across the state. Some of our longest tenured and most generous partners include: The John D. Mineck Foundation, The PGA TOUR Superstores, Whoop, Charles Schwab, Titleist and FootJoy, and The Mildred’s Dream Foundation.
For more information about becoming a partner of First Tee Massachusetts, please reach out to Kyle Harris at [email protected].
About Each Partner
Named for the late John D. Minick, a former MGA Executive Committee member and founder of Hingham’s Boston Golf Club, the John D. Minick Foundation is a long-time supporter of First Tee – Massachusetts.
Funded primarily by the members of BGC, the Minick Foundation’s generosity has allowed First Tee – Massachusetts to offer our Golf & Life Skills Curriculum at our Franklin Park location free of charge to all Boston residents. The Foundation’s grants have also supported operations at our flagship location, The Links at Mass Golf. These funds have been used to purchase equipment, train coaches, pay facility use fees, and cover other program expenses.
With the Minick Foundation’s support, First Tee – Massachusetts has impacted thousands of children at it’s green-grass programs and through relationships with several schools and community centers throughout the city of Boston.
For more than a decade, PGA TOUR Superstore and its founder, Arthur M. Blank, have championed First Tee’s mission through charitable and in-kind donations across the country. In September 2020, PGA TOUR Superstore announced a new grant that will help First Tee reach more children across the U.S. and strengthen its curriculum for teenage participants, including the development of this new Leadership Series and Summit. This new grant will help First Tee focus on the critical teenage years, where in the U.S. one in five public school children drop out before they finish high school.
All three PGA TOUR Superstore locations in Massachusetts have hosted in-store First Tee events and programs, and have developed a deep relationship with our chapter.
WHOOP is the Official Fitness Wearable of the PGA TOUR, LPGA and PGA TOUR Champions. Additionally, they are a proud Cause Inspired Partner of First Tee. Daily personalized fitness, sleep, and recovery data delivered to you in real time with WHOOP.
In addition to its partnership with First Tee at the Network level, the Boston-based company has committed significant funds to our local chapter here in Massachusetts. These funds have been used to support program growth, special projects, and creating additional opportunities for participants across the state, especially as it relates to increasing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
As the First Tee network reaches the 25th anniversary milestone, a truly Game-Changing opportunity has been presented to every chapter in the Network. Chapters. Launched in 2021, the Charles Schwab Challenge Grant will run from 2021-2026, with grants payable to every qualifying chapter in the years 2022-2027. The goal of the grant is to ensure that First Tee’s mission and work continue to change the lives of young people and communities. This program is only possible because of the leadership and commitment of Charles Schwab. He and his company believe in the mission of First Tee and the power of our Chapters to change the game for young people.
The challenge is to grow Donor-Generated Revenue (DGR) year-over-year, inspiring local investment and resulting in a deeper impact within each Chapter’s community. Chapters will be awarded grants based on annual donor revenue growth over the previous year. For every $2 the chapter raises, they will be eligible for $1, up to a maximum payout each year.
First Tee – Massachusetts recently received the maximum matching award from this program based on fundraising numbers from 2021, and we cannot thank our generous supporters enough for helping us to get there. The potential matching amount grows in 2022, so we’re hoping for another excellent year.
The Acushnet Companies – Titleist and Footjoy – have been long-time partners of Mass Golf and supporters of First Tee of Massachusetts. Founded in New Bedford, the company still manufactures most of its golf balls here in Massachusetts. Titleist Pro V1 and Pro V1x continue to be the No. 1 ball on professional tours worldwide, as well as amateur events across Massachusetts. Year after year, Titleist and Footjoy support our annual fundraiser tournament and several other special events.
In 2021, First Tee – Massachusetts received a generous grant from Mildred’s Dream Foundation. These grant funds are intended to support the expansion of our chapter and planting of new program locations, as we seek to impact more kids and teens across the Commonwealth with our Golf & Life Skills Curriculum.
Mildred’s Dream Foundation was created in appreciation of the legacy and lifetime work of Mildred Piltch, lovingly referred to as “Millie” by those who knew her well. Millie’s passion for and commitment to making the world a better place was evident in everything she said and did. MDF honors her passions: helping those with physical or mental health challenges, as well as their families; eliminating violence and abuse while supporting survivors of such trauma; and providing the best education possible for everyone. In celebration of the life she lived, her children have created the foundation in her honor. They are hopeful that others will help make Mildred’s dream a reality and make a difference in the world.