Gcsaa Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
SECURE FUNDING AND SUPPORT TO STRENGTHEN ADVOCACY, EDUCATION, AND RESEARCH THAT ADVANCES THE WORK OF GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS.
- Income
- $2.7 million
- Spending
- $1.9 million
- Spent on programs
- 87%
- Reserves
- 80.5 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- donations and private grants, 51%
- Employees
- 0
- Volunteers
- 45
- Highest pay
- $676,225, 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
Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 91% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
35 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 80.5 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 3% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 29% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 62% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1587% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 13 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: 75 out of 100. Higher than 31% of charities in its peer group (education, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
5 of 253 of 7 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 (4)
- $732,453 spent. PROVIDE GRANTS FOR THE PURPOSE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OF NEW CONTINUING EDUCATION WITH AN ENVIRONMENTAL FOCUS. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AWARDED ANNUALLY TO STUDENTS PURSUING CAREERS IN THE GOLF COURSE INDUSTRY, FUTURE TURFGRASS RESEARCHERS AND EDUCATORS, AND CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN OF GCSAA MEMBERS. ALL SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AWARDED ACCORDING TO A LIST OF CRITERIA, INCLUDING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT, EXTRACURRICULAR AND COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT, LEADERSHIP AND OUTSIDE EMPLOYMENT. SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS ARE EVALUATED BY THE SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE, EXCEPT IN THE CASE OF SCHOLARSHIPS TO CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN OF GCSAA MEMBERS, WHICH ARE EVALUATED BY AN INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE OF THREE EDUCATORS.
- $433,480 spent. COLLECT AND PUBLISH DATA ON EVERY ASPECT OF GOLF COURSE MANAGEMENT FROM AN ENVIRONMENTAL PERSPECTIVE THAT PROVIDES A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF GOLF COURSE LAND USE AND ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP EFFORTS. THE FOUNDATION GRANTS AWARDS FOR APPLIED AGRONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH TO PROVIDE INFORMATION TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF GOLF COURSES, WHILE MINIMIZING THE IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT.
- $483,480 spent. PROVIDES ONLINE ACCESS TO MORE THAN 190 BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, CASE STUDIES, AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROFILES. THESE PROVE THE GOLF COURSE'S IMPORTANT ROLE IN THE ENVIRONMENT & SUSTAINABILITY EFFORTS. WITH THE EVER INCREASING REGULATORY AND LEGISLATIVE PRESSURES ON LAND USE, WATER USE, ENERGY CONSUMPTION, AND NUTRIENT AND PESTICIDE USE; THIS FUNDING ALLOWS GCSAA TO BE A VOICE FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT PROFESSION AND THE GOLF INDUSTRY BY TELLING GOLF'S STORY ON A NATIONAL LEVEL. THESE STORIES HIGHLIGHT THE KEY ECONOMIC, ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL/RECREATIONAL BENEFITS OF GOLF.
- $21,195 spent. PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO GCSAA MEMBERS WHO HAVE SUFFERED PERSONAL LOSS OR HARDSHIP DUE TO NATURAL DISASTERS SUCH AS HURRICANES, TORNADOES, FLOODING OR WILDFIRES.
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 August 1958.
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.