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Solheim Foundation

Annual Giving
$7.6M
Grant Range
Up to $14.1M

Solheim Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $1,115,000 - $14,100,000 (varies by year)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: Not publicly available
  • Grant Range: Information not publicly disclosed
  • Geographic Focus: National (with emphasis on Arizona, Georgia, Tennessee, Oklahoma)
  • Foundation Assets: $10,788,036 (2024)

Contact Details

Mailing Address: PO Box 84558, Phoenix, AZ 85071-4558

Phone: 603-870-5248

EIN: 74-2378207

Note: The foundation does not appear to have a public website or formal application portal.

Overview

The Solheim Foundation was established in 1985 in Arizona by Karsten Solheim (1911-2000) and his wife Louise Solheim (1917-2017), founders of PING Golf Equipment and Karsten Manufacturing Corporation. The foundation reflects the couple's deep Christian faith and commitment to using their business success to further humanitarian causes and Christian ministries. Louise Solheim was particularly instrumental in establishing the foundation "to make sure the company gave back, as she believed God had been good to PING."

According to family members, Louise "applied a wise and fair approach to the distribution of the funds, always making sure the beneficiary's values and missions led to the betterment of people's lives." The foundation operates as a private grantmaking foundation with assets totaling approximately $10.8 million as of 2024. Grant-making activity has varied significantly, with awards ranging from $1.1 million to $14.1 million annually in recent years. The foundation was inducted into Grand Canyon University's Hall of Fame in 1991 with a Meritorious Service Award, recognizing their commitment to "the highest standards of quality Christian-based education and intercollegiate athletics competition."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Solheim Foundation operates as a private foundation without publicly designated grant programs or formal application cycles. Grant amounts vary considerably from year to year:

  • 2024: 2 grants totaling $14,100,000
  • 2023: 2 awards (amounts not specified)
  • 2022: 1 award (amount not specified)
  • 2021: 4 awards (amounts not specified)

The foundation's average grant size has been reported as approximately $7,050,000, though this appears to reflect larger institutional gifts rather than typical grant amounts.

Priority Areas

Christian Education: Major support to Christian educational institutions including Moody Bible Institute (Chicago) and LeTourneau University (Longview, Texas), both of which have "Solheim Centers" named in honor of Karsten and Louise Solheim. The Moody Bible Institute Solheim Center was dedicated January 30, 1991.

Religious Missions: Financial contributions toward missionaries across the globe and Christian organizations committed to spreading the gospel.

Golf and Athletics at Christian Universities: Support for collegiate golf programs, particularly at universities aligned with Christian values. The family donated millions to create the Karsten Golf Course at Arizona State University (opened 1989) and over $4 million for Karsten Creek Golf Course at Oklahoma State University (opened 1994).

Women's Golf: The family established the Solheim Cup in 1990, the premier international team competition in women's professional golf, equivalent to the men's Ryder Cup.

Veterans and Adaptive Sports: Through PING and family philanthropic efforts, support for wounded veterans programs, Wounded Warriors Project, Warfighter Sports, and adaptive golf programs for individuals with special needs.

Youth Development: Support for junior golf programs and youth character development initiatives.

What They Don't Fund

Based on the foundation's clear Christian mission, it is unlikely they fund:

  • Secular organizations without Christian affiliation
  • Projects contrary to Christian values
  • Political campaigns or lobbying activities
  • Organizations outside their established network

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is managed by a board of trustees composed entirely of Solheim family members, all of whom serve without compensation:

  • David A. Solheim - Chair (Saint Vladimir's Seminary alumnus, 2022; corporate executive)
  • Allan D. Solheim - Trustee
  • Allan D. Solheim Jr. - Trustee
  • Joy Solheim - Trustee
  • Andrew B. Solheim - Trustee
  • Candy Birch - Trustee

Current PING Chairman and CEO John Solheim, son of the founders, carries forward the family's philanthropic philosophy. He has stated: "I learned from my dad the importance of excellence and giving back and how that honors God." The company and foundation have "constantly been generous with our profits," operating with Proverbs 3:5-6 as a guiding principle about trusting in the Lord.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Solheim Foundation does not have a public application process. As a private family foundation, it operates on a discretionary basis with grants determined by the board of trustees. There is no online application portal, published application guidelines, or formal submission process available to the general public.

The foundation appears to make grants to pre-selected organizations, often those with which the Solheim family has established long-standing relationships or personal connections. Based on their history, major grants have gone to institutions where family members have served or organizations aligned with their faith-based values.

Organizations seeking support would need to establish a relationship with the foundation trustees or be invited to apply. The foundation does not publicize whether it accepts or considers unsolicited inquiries.

Getting on Their Radar

Christian Higher Education Networks: The foundation has demonstrated sustained commitment to Christian colleges and universities with strong golf programs. Institutions similar to Moody Bible Institute, LeTourneau University, and Grand Canyon University may align with their interests.

PING and Golf Industry Relationships: Organizations with connections to golf (particularly junior golf, women's golf, adaptive golf for wounded veterans, or collegiate golf programs) that also align with Christian values may be of interest.

Arizona Christian Community: The family has maintained long-term ties to Phoenix-area Christian organizations, having regularly attended Bethany Bible Church in Phoenix.

Board Member Networks: John Solheim serves on the LeTourneau University Board of Trustees, and David A. Solheim is a Saint Vladimir's Seminary alumnus. Organizations connected to institutions where family members are actively involved may have better access.

Decision Timeline

Information not publicly available.

Success Rates

Information not publicly available.

Reapplication Policy

Information not publicly available.

Application Success Factors

Given the private nature of this foundation and lack of public application process, success factors are based on analysis of their documented giving patterns:

Demonstrated Christian Values: The foundation was established explicitly to "further the gospel of Jesus Christ." Organizations must have clear Christian mission statements and demonstrate alignment with biblical principles.

Long-term Relationship Potential: Rather than one-time grants, the foundation appears to favor sustained relationships with institutions, as evidenced by the naming of permanent facilities (Solheim Centers) at multiple universities.

Excellence and Quality Standards: According to their Hall of Fame recognition at Grand Canyon University, the foundation values "the highest standards of quality Christian-based education."

Stewardship and Impact: Louise Solheim was known for her "wise and fair approach to the distribution of funds, always making sure the beneficiary's values and missions led to the betterment of people's lives."

Educational or Athletic Focus: The foundation's documented giving shows strong support for Christian education and athletics, particularly golf programs at Christian universities and programs serving youth or veterans.

Personal Connection to Trustees: As a family foundation with all trustees being Solheim family members, personal relationships and direct trustee knowledge of an organization appear to be critical factors.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • This is a private family foundation without a public application process - do not submit unsolicited proposals without an established relationship or invitation.

  • Faith-based alignment is non-negotiable - organizations must clearly demonstrate Christian mission and values aligned with furthering the gospel.

  • Focus on relationship building rather than transactional grant seeking - the foundation supports organizations with which family members have personal connections.

  • Major institutional commitments - the foundation has made multi-million dollar gifts to name buildings and programs; they appear to favor transformational rather than small grants.

  • Geographic connections matter - Arizona, particularly Phoenix, represents the family's home base; organizations with Arizona ties may have advantages.

  • Golf, education, missions, and veterans represent the foundation's core philanthropic interests based on documented giving patterns.

  • Excellence and stewardship - demonstrate not just need, but exceptional quality, wise resource management, and measurable impact on people's lives.

References

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