The First Tee of Greater Houston Inc
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
First Tee Greater Houston's (FTGH) mission since 2004 is to impact the lives of young people in the Greater Houston area by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values, and promote healthy choices through the game of golf.
- Income
- $2.0 million
- Spending
- $1.5 million
- Spent on programs
- 81%
- Reserves
- 4 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 87%
- Employees
- 14
- Volunteers
- 230
- Highest pay
- $416,884, president & ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Good: 81 out of 100. Higher than 57% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
20 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 4.0 months of spending.
Debt
16 of 20It owes 22% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 26% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 72% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1581% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 6 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 95 out of 100. Higher than 80% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
25 of 2512 of 12 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
8 of 8Has a written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
7 of 7Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Pay set independently
0 of 5Reports no independent review process for its chief executive's pay.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (1)
- $1.2 million spent. FTGH serves over 300,000 youth annually, more than any other chapter in the international network of 150. Rooted in First Tee's Nine Core Values of: Honesty, Integrity, Sportsmanship, Respect, Confidence, Responsibility, Perseverance, Courtesy and Judgment. We also incorporate these Nine Healthy Habits: Energy, Play, Safety, Vision, Mind, Family, Friends, School and Community. FTGH priorities safety and trains positive adult role models to teach age and developmentally appropriate core values and health and wellness behaviors at each level of the curriculum through three delivery channels. See Schedule O - Continued - 1) On Golf Courses program is delivered at eight green grass facilities and four PGA TOUR Superstores. It provides character education, life management skills, and wellness, along with golf knowledge and skill development. 2) School Program is delivered by P.E. teachers at Houston area schools in 46 districts and 563 schools. We train P.E. teachers to deliver curriculum as a P.E. unit during the school year. 3) Community Program partners with over 55 area non-profits such as: Including Kids and Houston Parks & Recreation Community Centers. FTGH's teen mentoring and leadership programs continues to thrive, and we vastly expanded Girls Golf opportunities beginning in 2023. FTGH serves students throughout Harris and the 7 contiguous counties. We are unique in that any child can participate in and benefit from our program. While we offer classes for autistic kids and provide equipment for kids in wheelchairs, every young person ages 7-18 can participate in our program no matter what their ability, gender, ethnicity, or income.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since May 2011.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 21, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.