Kids Golf Foundation of Illinois

Name

Kids Golf Foundation of Illinois

Legal name

Kids Golf Foundation of Illinois

Website

https://kidsgolffoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Sports Programs

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620), Child and Youth Services (62411)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth & Scholastic Sports Organizations (K–12, AAU, Club Leagues) (MPAKACAF), Amateur & Grassroots Sport Associations (Community/Youth Governing Orgs) (MPAKAFAF), Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC)

Keywords

• Youth golf programs
• Junior golf instruction
• SNAG beginner golf
• Nonprofit sports education
• Community youth programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Sugar Grove

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Program Equipment and Materials, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: As a registered 501(c)(3) charitable organization, the Foundation relies heavily on donations from individuals, families, and corporate sponsors. Donations fund all equipment and resources provided to program sites at no cost.
2. Corporate Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors like COUNTRY Financial host golf outings and make donations. Wilson Sporting Goods provides equipment partnerships. Major donors like the Hansberger family contribute significant funding.
3. Event Fundraising: The Foundation hosts fundraising events including Celebrity Pro-Am events featuring professional athletes, mentoring events, and other special events that generate revenue for programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Kids Golf Foundation of Illinois is a statewide 501(c)(3) nonprofit junior golf association that provides free golf instruction programs, events, and scholarships introducing children ages 5-17 to the sport of golf. The Foundation delivers Level 1 SNAG Programs and Level 2 Traditional Programs through a network of volunteer Site Coordinators at 200+ partner organizations including park districts, schools, YMCAs, and youth organizations. All equipment, training, and resources are provided at no cost to program sites and participants, with the Foundation funded by individual donations, corporate sponsorships, and charity fundraising events.

Product overview

The Kids Golf Foundation of Illinois is a statewide junior golf association offering a two-tiered program architecture: Level 1: SNAG Programs using oversized SNAG equipment for beginners, and Level 2: Traditional Programs using actual golf clubs for more advanced participants. Both programs are provided at no cost to program sites. The Foundation supplements its core programs with mentoring events (Other Side Of The Green and Thinking Outside The Tee Box), the annual Celebrity Pro-Am fundraiser, and two scholarship programs (Jerry Rich Caddie Scholarship and Arnold Palmer and Jerry Rich Scholarship). All programs are coordinated through a volunteer Site Coordinator network and delivered at the Foundation's headquarters at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Illinois.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Level 1: SNAG Programs
• Level 2: Traditional Programs
• Mentoring Events
• KGF Celebrity Pro-Am
• Jerry Rich Caddie Scholarship
• Arnold Palmer and Jerry Rich Scholarship
• Site Coordinator Program

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 250,000 children ages 5-17 introduced to golf since 1998
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Wilson Sporting GoodsflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 June 2019Chicago-based Wilson provides golf clubs, balls, and tees for Level 2: Traditional Clinics. Wilson Staff players include major champions. Partnership provides equipment to 500+ participants annually.
• Freedom Golf AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 April 2018Adaptive golf coaches provide instruction for special needs populations. Collaboration teaches golf to children with autism and other needs.
• American Junior Golf Association (AJGA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational junior golf association partnership supporting youth golf development and tournament opportunities.
• Bo Jackson's Give Me A Chance FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Celebrity Pro-Am events featuring professional athletes. Joint events raise funds for KGF programs.
• Northern Illinois University (NIU) AthleticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNIU men's and women's golf teams call Rich Harvest Farms home. Student-athletes participate in mentoring events and activities.
• Giant StepscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCertified therapeutic day school for children on the Autism spectrum. KGF has worked with Giant Steps since 2013 using modified clinic setups.
• Golf Association of Illinois / Chicago District Golf AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState and regional golf association partnerships supporting junior golf development.
• Illinois Junior Golf AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level junior golf association partnership for youth development and tournament opportunities.
• PGA of America / LPGA Teaching and Club ProfessionalscoreTechnology or IntegrationProfessional golf associations providing teaching resources and professional development for instructors.
• SNAG GolfcoreTechnology or IntegrationEquipment provider for Starting New At Golf programs. SNAG equipment enables easy learning for beginners.
• Evans Scholars FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollege scholarship program for caddies. KGF connects participants to caddying opportunities and scholarship information.
• Rich Harvest FarmsflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrivate golf course owned by Jerry Rich, Co-Founder. Provides headquarters office space, indoor/outdoor amenities for events and training. One of Golf Digest's 100 Greatest Golf Courses.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• PGA Junior League: PGA Junior League is the PGA of America's national youth golf team program for ages 13 and under; directly comparable to KGF in delivering team-based junior golf instruction through partner facilities and instructors nationwide.
• First Tee: First Tee is the largest national junior golf organization in the U.S., offering golf instruction and life skills to youth through a chapter-based network; the most direct comparable to Kids Golf Foundation in mission, target age group (5-17), and life-skills-plus-golf curriculum.
• LPGA*USGA Girls Golf: LPGA*USGA Girls Golf is a national program introducing girls ages 6-17 to golf with life skills emphasis; directly comparable to KGF's 'Thinking Outside The Tee Box' mentoring initiative and similar free/instructional model for youth.
• The Golf Foundation (UK): The Golf Foundation is a UK charity introducing young people to golf through schools and community programs; directly comparable to KGF in nonprofit structure, school-based delivery, and free equipment provision for youth golf initiation.
• Youth on Course: Youth on Course provides subsidized golf access and instruction to youth under 18 across North America; directly comparable to KGF in lowering cost barriers and delivering structured junior golf programming.

Broad incumbents

• American Junior Golf Association (AJGA): AJGA is the national organization hosting competitive junior golf tournaments and developing elite junior golfers; comparable to KGF in the junior golf development mission, though AJGA focuses on competitive pathways versus KGF's introductory focus.
• National Alliance for Youth Sports (NAYS): NAYS is a national nonprofit supporting youth sports administration, coaching education, and program quality across many sports; comparable to KGF in its nonprofit youth development mission and volunteer-coach training function, though at a broader multi-sport scale.

Emerging players

• SNAG Golf: SNAG Golf developed the Starting New At Golf equipment system used by KGF and licenses the methodology to schools and programs; comparable as the enabling technology/c curriculum partner that other junior golf programs also deploy for beginner instruction.

Regional players

• Evans Scholars Foundation: Evans Scholars Foundation awards full college scholarships to caddies across the U.S.; comparable to KGF's Jerry Rich and Arnold Palmer/Jerry Rich Scholarship programs in funding caddie-driven educational outcomes.

Peers

• Illinois Junior Golf Association:

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/KidsGolfIL
• Facebookfacebook.com/kidsgolffoundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/kgf_illinois
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kids-golf-foundation-of-illinois

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Kids Golf Foundation of Illinois