Impact Through Golf Foundation - Funder Overview

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,000,000+ (annually)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
• Decision Time: Grant cycle runs May-November (~6 months)
• Grant Range: Individual amounts not disclosed; $1M+ distributed among 16 organizations
• Geographic Focus: Coachella Valley, California (local only)
• Application Method: Annual competitive grant cycle with LOI process

Contact Details

Mailing Address:
78060 Calle Estado, Suite 12
La Quinta, CA 92253-2960

Phone: 480-483-9500

Email: info@theamexgolf.com

Website: https://www.theamexgolf.com/charity/
Foundation Website: https://impactthroughgolf.org

EIN: 84-2411420

Overview

The Impact Through Golf Foundation was established in July 2019 as the charitable, non-profit organization for The American Express PGA TOUR golf tournament. The foundation distributes proceeds from the annual tournament to support Coachella Valley-based nonprofits. Since the tournament's inception in 1960, it has donated more than $66 million in support of over 100 non-profit organizations in the Greater Coachella Valley. In recent years, the foundation has awarded over $1 million annually to approximately 16 deserving organizations. The foundation earned a 2-star rating from Charity Navigator, indicating basic accountability and transparency standards. In 2023, the foundation reported revenue of approximately $11 million. The foundation takes a strategic approach by prioritizing larger grants to fewer organizations rather than distributing smaller amounts broadly.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Impact Through Golf Foundation operates one primary annual grant program:

Annual Community Impact Grants - Distributed through proceeds from The American Express tournament

• Awards: $1,000,000+ total distributed annually among approximately 16 organizations
• Individual grant amounts: Not publicly disclosed
• Application method: Annual competitive cycle with Letter of Intent (LOI) required
• Timeline: May through November

Priority Areas

The foundation prioritizes organizations working in the following areas within the Coachella Valley:

• Capital Improvement/Legacy Projects - Multi-year infrastructure and facility improvements
• Natural Disaster Recovery - Rebuilding support and preparedness initiatives
• Education - Educational programs and services
• Youth and Family Support Services - Programs supporting young people and families
• Health and Wellness - Health-related programs and services
• Homelessness - Programs serving individuals experiencing homelessness
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) - Initiatives promoting equity and inclusion

The foundation specifically encourages applications for "large-scale projects or multi-year initiatives" and welcomes "joint programming proposals with other local like-minded organizations."

What They Don't Fund

• Individuals (grants only made to organizations)
• Organizations without 501(c)(3) status
• Organizations with less than two years of active 501(c)(3) status
• Organizations with annual operating budgets under $250,000
• Organizations that do not provide services in the Coachella Valley
• Smaller, one-time projects (foundation prioritizes larger-scale, multi-year initiatives)

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership:

• Pat McCabe - Tournament Executive Director

Board and Governance: Specific board member information is not publicly disclosed in available sources. The foundation is also known as "The Mickelson Foundation," suggesting historical ties to professional golfer Phil Mickelson, though current governance details are limited in public records.

The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and files annual Form 990 returns with the IRS, which are available through ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer and other nonprofit databases.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

The Impact Through Golf Foundation operates an annual competitive grant cycle with a two-stage application process:

Stage 1: Letter of Intent (LOI)

• Organizations submit initial Letter of Intent
• Foundation reviews and selects finalists

Stage 2: Full Grant Application

• Finalists invited to submit full grant applications
• Detailed project proposals and budgets required

Application Portal: Applications are submitted through the foundation's website at theamexgolf.com/charity

2025 Grant Cycle Timeline

• May 2 - Grant cycle opens
• June 6 - Letters of Intent (LOI) due
• June 27 - Finalists notified
• July 28 - Full grant applications due
• September 8 - Grant winners notified
• November 4 - Community Impact Celebration Breakfast (awards ceremony)

Decision Timeline

The foundation operates on a structured annual timeline from May through November (approximately 6 months from application opening to awards ceremony). Organizations can expect:

• LOI review period: ~3 weeks (June 6 to June 27)
• Full application review period: ~6 weeks (July 28 to September 8)
• Total process from application to notification: ~4 months

Winners are announced at the annual Community Impact Celebration Breakfast in November, where checks are presented to recipient organizations.

Success Rates

The foundation does not publicly disclose the number of applications received or success rates. Based on available information:

• Approximately 16 organizations receive funding annually
• Total awards exceed $1 million per year
• The foundation states it is "prioritizing larger levels of support to a smaller number of local organizations"

This suggests a competitive process with a limited number of awards, though specific application numbers are not available.

Reapplication Policy

The foundation's reapplication policy is not explicitly stated in public sources. However, the list of 2023 and 2024 recipients shows significant overlap, with many organizations receiving funding in consecutive years, including:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Desert
• Boys & Girls Club organizations (Cathedral City, Coachella Valley, Palm Springs)
• Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine
• First Tee of the Coachella Valley
• Family YMCA of the Desert
• FIND Food Bank
• Galilee Center
• Hunter Lopez Memorial Foundation
• Jewish Family Services of the Desert
• John F. Kennedy Memorial Foundation/Ophelia Project
• Martha's Village and Kitchen
• Pueblo Unido

This pattern suggests that successful applicants can reapply and receive funding in subsequent years, particularly for ongoing or multi-year projects.

Application Success Factors

Foundation's Strategic Direction

The foundation has explicitly stated it is "prioritizing larger levels of support to a smaller number of local organizations." This strategic shift means:

• Think bigger: Focus applications on substantial, transformative projects rather than small, incremental ones
• Multi-year vision: Propose multi-year initiatives that demonstrate sustained impact
• Collaboration: Consider joint proposals with other local organizations to increase scale and impact

Priority Project Types

Based on the foundation's stated priorities, applications are strengthened by focusing on:

• Capital improvements and legacy projects - These appear to be the highest priority
• Natural disaster preparedness and recovery - A specific area of emphasis
• Large-scale initiatives - Projects that will make a significant, measurable difference

Recent Funding Patterns

Analysis of 2023 and 2024 recipients reveals the foundation consistently supports:

• Youth-serving organizations (Boys & Girls Clubs, First Tee)
• Basic needs organizations (food banks, homeless services)
• Health and wellness providers
• Family support services

Organizations in these sectors that can demonstrate significant community need and capacity to execute large projects appear most competitive.

Recognition and Awards

The foundation's 2024 recipient, The Ophelia Project (part of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Foundation), was named the 2024 PGA TOUR Charity of the Year. This recognition highlights the caliber of organizations the foundation supports and suggests they value partnerships with highly effective, well-regarded nonprofits.

Budget Requirements

The $250,000 minimum annual operating budget requirement indicates the foundation seeks to fund established organizations with demonstrated capacity and infrastructure. Newer or smaller organizations should not apply until they meet this threshold.

Geographic Specificity

The foundation is laser-focused on the Coachella Valley. Organizations must not only serve this area but should demonstrate deep community roots and understanding of local needs. Applications should reference:

• Specific Coachella Valley communities served
• Local partnerships and collaborations
• Knowledge of regional challenges and opportunities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Scale matters: The foundation explicitly seeks to make "larger levels of support to a smaller number of local organizations." Propose ambitious, transformative projects, not incremental improvements.

• Multi-year thinking: The foundation encourages "multi-year initiatives." Frame your project as a sustained effort with long-term community impact.

• Capital projects are prioritized: Capital improvement and legacy projects are listed first among funding priorities. If you're seeking infrastructure or facility funding, this is an excellent fit.

• Collaboration is valued: The foundation welcomes "joint programming proposals with other local like-minded organizations." Consider partnership proposals.

• Budget threshold is firm: Organizations must have a minimum $250,000 annual operating budget. Don't apply if you don't meet this requirement.

• Coachella Valley only: Despite being part of a nationally-recognized PGA TOUR event, all grants stay local. Your organization must serve the Coachella Valley specifically.

• Track record matters: The foundation funds many of the same organizations year after year, suggesting they value proven performance and established relationships. Building a track record with one successful grant can lead to continued support.

References

1. Impact Through Golf Foundation official website. "Charity - The American Express." https://www.theamexgolf.com/charity/ (Accessed February 2026)

2. Impact Through Golf Foundation. Homepage. https://impactthroughgolf.org (Accessed February 2026)

3. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer. "Impact Through Golf Foundation - EIN 84-2411420." https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/842411420 (Accessed February 2026)

4. Cause IQ. "Impact Through Golf Foundation | La Quinta, CA." https://www.causeiq.com/organizations/the-mickelson-foundation,842411420/ (Accessed February 2026)

5. Charity Navigator. "Rating for Impact Through Golf Foundation." https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/842411420 (Accessed February 2026)

6. PGA West. "American Express awards more than $1 million to 16 desert charities from 2024 event." https://www.pgawest.com/pga-west-blog/american-express-awards-more-than-1-million-to-16-desert-charities-from-2024-event (Accessed February 2026)

7. PGA TOUR. "The American Express surpasses $65M in lifetime charitable contributions after another million-dollar year of donations through 2023 event." https://www.pgatour.com/article/news/impact/2023/11/07/the-american-express-surpasses-65-million-lifetime-charitable-contributions-after-another-million-dollar-year-of-donations-through-2023-event-pga-west (Accessed February 2026)

8. The American Express Golf Tournament. "The American Express's Charitable Foundation Donates Over $1 Million at Community Impact Celebration." https://www.theamexgolf.com/the-american-expresss-charitable-foundation-donates-over-1-million-at-community-impact-celebration/ (Accessed February 2026)

9. Greater Palm Springs Business Insider. "Learn about The American Express Charitable Donations for 2024." https://gpsbusinessinsider.com/the-american-express-pga-tour-tournament-makes-its-2024-charitable-donations/ (Accessed February 2026)

10. PGA TOUR. "The Ophelia Project named 2024 PGA TOUR Charity of the Year." https://www.pgatour.com/article/news/company/2024/12/12/the-ophelia-project-named-2024-pga-tour-charity-of-the-year (Accessed February 2026)