Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
What it says it does
To provide academic and vocational, junior golf, and personal life management programs for disadvantaged children through its golf course campus and classrooms.
- Income
- $4.7 million
- Spending
- $3.6 million
- Spent on programs
- 84%
- Reserves
- 7.8 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 67%
- Employees
- 62
- Volunteers
- 120
- Highest pay
- $138,396, ceo
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Strong: 93 out of 100.
Reserves
28 of 35Spendable reserves would cover 7.8 months of spending.
Debt
20 of 20It owes 7% of what it owns.
Living within its means
15 of 15Income exceeded spending by 23% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 2% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 1584% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 15 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Strong: 100 out of 100.
Independent board
25 of 2520 of 20 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
5 of 5Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.
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 June 30, 2025, 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)
- $1.3 million spent. Academic/Vocational Education - Students receive tutoring from professional educators and volunteers. They are trained in retail sales skills, horticulture and personal life management skills. See additional information attached.
- $541,696 spent. Personal Life Management - Guidance provided in personal grooming, work habits and money management. Youth learn about values and the consequences of their choices. See additional information attached.
- $1.2 million spent. Junior Golf - Exposes high risk children to positive role models and individuals who have become successful in their careers. Teaches decision making, math, agronomy, horticulture, social skills and development of self esteem. Teaches that success in life, like golf, depends on the decisions made and the ability to overcome adversity. See additional information attached.
- Additional Information on Program Services The Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation was created to support Chi Chi Rodriguez's vision of helping at-risk youth achieve academic, social, and economic success by remaining engaged in their education and acquiring the practical skills to excel at the "game of life." The Chi Chi Rodriguez Youth Foundation is the principal operator of two educational programs: the Chi Chi Rodriguez Academy and First Tee Clearwater, as well as two public businesses: the Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club and Chi Chi Rodriguez Driving Range. Our programs are grounded in the human fundamental needs of love and respect. We work to build confidence, instill discipline and provide positive and engaging educational experiences. A unique forum was chosen to achieve our goal - the golf course. Golf is frequently considered the game of successful people - people who would be excellent role models for Chi Chi's Kids. Golf also requires self-control, responsibility and respect for others. Outstanding athletic ability, size and dexterity are not necessary to participate. Success for Chi Chi's Kids had to be reached through (as Chi Chi said), "love, understanding, compassion, and self-esteem." Although Chi Chi was raised in a poor family, his family was rich in all of those important qualities. The target group for Foundation's activities is children ranging in ages from 7 to 17. We currently serve more than 3,600 children in our programs. Up to one hundred and twenty-six (126) of those are students that attend the Chi Chi Academy, a privately supported public school in partnership with the Pinellas County School Board for students who have been identified as at risk of dropping out of school. Underperforming student candidates are typically identified and referred to the Academy by Pinellas County School District guidance counselors. Students mostly live north of Ulmerton Road in Largo to Tarpon Springs. To be accepted into the program, a child must meet two or more of the following requirements: (1) face academic challenges, (2) require additional assistance with social skills, (3) have poor school attendance, (4) lack of a strong family support system, or (5) obtain some form of government assistance. The Foundation uses a holistic approach in its programs. Emphasis is placed on homework assistance, tutoring, social skills, core values, personal grooming, business skills, retail, art, landscaping, and golf. Golf was chosen as a key ingredient for the program because it does not require extraordinary size, speed, or strength to achieve success. The sport does, however, require consistent personal discipline, concentration, honesty, motivation and tenacity. These teachable traits plus exposure to role models of successful adult golfers made golf a natural choice. The Chi Chi Rodriguez Academy - The Public Private Partnership School known as Chi Chi Rodriguez Academy is a voluntary school for fifth through eighth grade students not achieving at their grade level, have low self-esteem or have difficulty adjusting to a larger academic environment. Students learn through interactive experiences in the fields of management, marketing, retail sales, landscaping, agronomy and various other real-world business environments. Through the school's "Shadow Program", students, on a rotating basis, get to work with an adult in every department of the Youth Foundation, including the Golf Club and Driving Range businesses. While learning about various jobs, students see how basic educational skills like math and reading are used on an everyday basis. The teachers verify that students are much more enthusiastic when they see how skills they learn in the classroom are used outside the classroom, in the real world. The Shadow Program also reinforces social skills, which are an integral part of our educational setting. The Pinellas County School system provides the teachers, the teacher assistants, support staff, student services and technology. The Foundation provides the campus facility, Academy Director and Counselor, golf education and equipment, as well as classroom enrichment materials. The Golf Club delivers the real-life learning experience. "We maximize the resources that the students would receive at traditional schools and provide them with additional support. The students have a much greater opportunity to succeed because of that support," according to our Chairman of the Board, Tom James. The small school atmosphere, individualized attention, counseling, availability of student services and specialized instructional components taught by the Pinellas County certified teachers foster a desire in Chi Chi's Kids to succeed in school and life. First Tee Clearwater program - First Tee - Clearwater is one of three Tampa Bay area chapters and serves over 3,600 participants. Life Skills Experience programs are offered in seven local elementary schools, as well as at the Chi Chi Rodriguez Golf Club and Chi Chi Rodriguez Driving Range. At First Tee Clearwater, we're Building Game Changers by empowering kids and teens to be the best version of themselves. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with character-building, we create learning experiences that help kids uncover their inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that they can carry to everything they do. Our trained coaches not only provide an introduction to junior golf and an opportunity to enhance golf skills, but they also create a safe, supportive, and empowering environment to help children prepare for life ahead, including friendships, school, college and even their careers. Through our program, kids will learn skills that stay with them for life: understanding and managing emotions, resolving conflicts, setting up step-by-step goals, planning for the future, appreciating diversity, and golf fundamentals and advanced techniques.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, 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 September 7, 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 September 30, 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 September 10, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since January 1982.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 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 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.