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Golf Fore Life Skills

EIN 27-4581056 · Anaheim, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthWeak46 out of 100GovernanceGood85 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

Points to look into

  • Raising each dollar of donations cost 51 cents.

These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.

What it says it does

GOLF FORE LIFE SKILLS OPERATES AS THE FIRST TEE OF ORANGE COUNTY AND PROVIDES YOUTH WITH CHARACTER BUILDING AND LIFE SKILLS LESSONS USING GOLF AS A PLATFORM

Income
$1.2 million
Spending
$1.6 million
Spent on programs
57%
Reserves
5.7 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 51%
Employees
26
Volunteers
102
Highest pay
$194,146, director

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

Weak: 46 out of 100. Higher than 15% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    20 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 5.7 months of spending.

  • Debt

    16 of 20

    It owes 30% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    0 of 15

    Spending exceeded income by 30% of income.

  • Income trend

    10 of 15

    Income fell 6% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    0 of 15

    57% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 51 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

Good: 85 out of 100. Higher than 38% of charities in its peer group (human services, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    19 of 18 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    0 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports 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. $882,113 spent. GOLF FORE LIFE SKILLS OPERATES AS THE FIRST TEE OF ORANGE COUNTY, WHICH IS AN OFFICIAL CHAPTER OF THE NATIONAL FIRST TEE ORGANIZATION. IN 2013, THE FIRST TEE OF ORANGE COUNTY HELD ITS FIRST CLASSES FOR YOUTH AGES 3-18. THE ONGOING CLASSES ARE HELD AT PUBLIC GOLF FACILITIES AND THROUGH AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS AT LOCAL SCHOOLS. THE CLASSES TEACH CORE VALUES THROUGH THE GAME OF GOLF. THE CORE VALUES TAUGHT CONSIST OF HONESTY, INTEGRITY, SPORTSMANSHIP, RESPECT, CONFIDENCE, RESPONSIBILIT, PERSEVERANCE, COURTESY AND JUDGEMENT. DURING 2020, THE PROGRAM SERVED 845 YOUTHS, WHICH WAS SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED WHEN COMPARED TO PRIOR YEARS DUE TO THE PANDEMIC. THE PROGRAM IS RUN BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR WHO IS OVERSEEN BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS. THE PROGRAM REVENUE MAINLY CONSISTS OF THE FEES PAID BY PARTICIPANTS IN THE PROGRAM CLASSES. THE PROGRAM EXPENSES CONSIST MAINLY OF SALARIES FOR THE PROGRAM COACHES. PROGRAM EXPENSES ALSO INCLUDE CLASS MATERIALS, SUPPLIES, PARTICIPANT HEALTHY SNACKS AND WATER AND GOLF FACILITY FEES.

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

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. 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.

  4. 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.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since September 2011.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.

  6. 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.