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Arizona Golf and Life Skills Inc

EIN 52-2103204 · Phoenix, AZ

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

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthStrong93 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

THE CORPORATION'S MISSION IS TO IMPACT THE LIVES OF CHILDREN AND YOUTH BY TEACHING LIFE-SKILLS AND CHARACTER THROUGH THE GAME OF GOLF, ESPECIALLY TO THOSE WHO WOULD NOT OTHERWISE BE FINACIALLY ABLE TO PLAY THE GAME OF GOLF; INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE FOLLOWING: (I) PROVIDING SUCH CHILDREN WITH HIGHLY SUBSIDIZED AND FREE GOLF INSTRUCTION AND GOLF EQUIPMENT, (II) PROVIDING FREE OPPORTUNITIES TO SUCH CHILDREN FOR PARTICIPATION IN GOLF TOURNAMENTS, ON COURSE PLAY AND COMPETITIONS, AND, (III) SUPPORTING, ESTABLISHING, HOLDING AND/OR OPERATING GOLF TOURNAMENTS, COMPETITIONS, LESSONS, AND CLINICS WHICH PROVIDE MENTORSHIP, GOLF INSTRUCTION, AND LIFE LESSONS FOR SUCH CHILDREN.

Income
$2.2 million
Spending
$1.7 million
Spent on programs
57%
Reserves
23.1 months of spending
Largest source of income
donations and private grants, 87%
Employees
15
Volunteers
305
Highest pay
$173,483, executive 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

Strong: 93 out of 100. Higher than 79% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 23.1 months of spending.

  • Debt

    20 of 20

    It owes 7% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 22% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 1% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    57% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 19 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: 100 out of 100. Higher than 82% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    15 of 15 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

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited 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. $974,872 spent. FIRST TEE - PHOENIX WAS CREATED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PROVIDING AFFORDABLE ACCESS TO THE GAME OF GOLF AND TEACHING LIFE SKILLS TO YOUNG PEOPLE IN MARICOPA COUNTY FROM ALL WALKS OF LIFE, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO OTHERWISE MIGHT NOT HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY. FIRST TEE - PHOENIX IMPACT YOUTH IN MORE THAN 175 SCHOOLS AND THROUGH REGULAR PROGRAMMING AT 14 GOLF FACILITIES ACROSS THE VALLEY. CURRICULUM IS DESIGNED TO TEACH VALUABLE LIFE SKILLS AND VALUES THROUGH CREATIVE ACTIVITIES AND QUALITY INSTRUCTION. INCORPORATING LESSONS LEARNED THROUGH GOLF, PARTICIPANTS LEARN RESONSIBILITY, COURTESY, HONESTY, AND INTEGRITY THAT THEY CAN TAKE TO ALL ASPECTS OF THEIR LIVES.

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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

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

    Recognized by the IRS since July 2003.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 7, 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.