Wadsworth Golf Charities Foundation concentrates its giving on golf and public recreational lands in the Chicago region, funding municipal and partner organizations that operate courses and youth programs. Grants are large and targeted—often to capital or program support—showing a preference for sustaining golf facilities, supporting youth golf access, and backing regional park/preserve stewardship. The foundation gives repeatedly to favored recipients and focuses on a small number of substantial awards rather than many small grants.
Concentrated, large grants to a small set of regional grantees with repeat funding to core recipients; funds appear directed to capital and program support for golf and public recreation rather than broad philanthropic diversification.
Wadsworth Golf Charities Foundation’s recent grantmaking centers on golf access, golf facilities, and community recreation tied to the game. One of the clearest signals is its repeated support for Evanston Wilmette Golf Course Assoc in Evanston, Illinois, including a $250,000 grant in 2024 and a $200,000 grant in 2025. The foundation also backs golf development and stewardship work through organizations such as Forest Preserve District of Kane Co in Geneva, Illinois, which received $125,000 in 2023, and The First Tee of Greater Chicago in Glenview, Illinois, which received $85,000 in 2023. That pattern shows a funder making substantial, project-oriented grants rather than many small awards. Its portfolio also includes adaptive and beginner golf access, youth programming, and support for public recreational lands connected to golf. The grant record includes recurring support for some recipients across multiple years, suggesting a relationship-based approach that follows selected organizations over time. Awards appear tied to exempt-purpose support and to organizations that can carry golf programming, course operations, or related community benefit work.
Golf access is a central theme. The foundation gave $85,000 in 2023 and $25,000 in 2024 to The First Tee of Greater Chicago in Glenview, Illinois, supporting youth golf development. It also funded adaptive access through US Adaptive Golf Association in Burr Ridge, Illinois, with $10,000 in both 2023 and 2024. Course and facility support is another visible area: Evanston Wilmette Golf Course Assoc in Evanston, Illinois received $250,000 in 2024 and $200,000 in 2025. Public-lands and stewardship work appears as well, including $125,000 to Forest Preserve District of Kane Co in Geneva, Illinois. The grant list also shows support for organizations connected to short-course and community golf models, including Learning Links at Hazeltine in Chaska, Minnesota.
Typical grants cluster tightly around the middle of the distribution: p25 is $5,000, median is $10,000, and p75 is $10,000. That means most awards are at or near $10,000, even though the foundation also makes much larger project grants. The recent record shows repeated support to multiple recipients across years, including organizations that appear in 2023, 2024, and 2025. Wadsworth Golf Charities Foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and it gives through defined grant programs that accept unsolicited requests in at least one program. The structure includes a general program grant and a Links Across America short-course initiative, with some project grants handled through partnerships.
$749K
$12.3M
$1.2M
$881K
Most grants fall between $5K and $10K, with a median of $10K.
25th Percentile
$5K
Median
$10K
75th Percentile
$10K
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Notable grantees: Evanston Wilmette Golf Course Association, The First Tee of Greater Chicago, Forest Preserve District of Kane County, Clearview Legacy Foundation
Grant recipients are entirely U.S.-based, with 147 grants going to U.S. organizations. Illinois is the top state by grant count, and 40% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Recent Illinois recipients include Evanston, Glenview, Geneva, Lake Forest, and Champaign. Outside Illinois, the foundation has funded organizations in Ohio, Minnesota, Texas, Wisconsin, Alabama, and Utah, including East Canton, Chaska, Frisco, Kenosha, Marion, and Provo. The pattern is national in scope, but it is especially dense in Illinois.
It funds 501(c)(3) organizations tied to golf access, golf-related youth and beginner programs, community improvement through golf, and educational or cultural benefits of golf. The grant record also includes support for public recreational lands, adaptive golf access, and short-course golf development.
Yes. The General Program Grants page says applicants submit a short grant request and supporting documents, and it lists unsolicited applications as accepted for that program. The Links Across America — Short Course Project Grants / Partnerships page, by contrast, is marked as not accepting unsolicited requests.
The grant-size distribution is centered at $10,000: p25 is $5,000, median is $10,000, and p75 is $10,000. That suggests most awards are in the $5,000 to $10,000 range, alongside a smaller number of larger project grants.
Giving is national, but it is concentrated in Illinois. Illinois is the top state by grant count, and 40% of grants go to recipients in the HQ state. Recent Illinois recipients are spread across Evanston, Glenview, Geneva, Lake Forest, Champaign, Burr Ridge, and Elk Grove.
Yes. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Evanston Wilmette Golf Course Assoc, The First Tee of Greater Chicago, US Adaptive Golf Association, Learning Links at Hazeltine, Illinois Pga Foundation, and Ohio Health Foundation. That points to recurring support rather than one-time-only giving.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from Wadsworth Golf Charities Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Organizations interested in the short course initiative are directed to contact Doug Myslinski or review the requirements page. The page does not specify grant eligibility or funding terms.
Deadline: Not specified
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| METROPOLITAN GOLF FOUNDATION | ST LOUIS, MO | $100,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| EVANSTON WILMETTE GOLF COURSE ASSOC | EVANSTON, IL | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES. |
| NATIONAL LINKS TRUST | WASHINGTON, DC | $50,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| THE FIRST TEE OF GREATER CHICAGO | GLENVIEW, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES. |
| CHICAGO DISTRICT GOLF ASSOCIATION F | LEMONT, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES. |
| ILLINOIS PGA FOUNDATION | GOLF, IL | $25,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES. |
| REVELATIONGOLF | ELK GROVE, IL | $20,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES. |
| THE TURN | NORTH OLMSTED, OH | $20,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES. |
| MARYVILLE GOLF ACADEMY | DES PLAINES, IL | $20,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES. |
| VETERANS GOLFERS ASSOCIATIN | PINEHURST, NC | $15,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA | ONTARIO, CA | $15,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES. |
| NORTHERN TEXAS PGA FOUNDATION | FRISCO, TX | $15,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| DILLON JUNIOR GOLF | DILLON, MT | $15,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| US ADAPTIVE GOLF ASSOCIATION | WESTMONT, IL | $15,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES. |
| PLAINFILD NORTH WHITE TIGERS ATH BO | PLAINFIELD, IL | $12,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| CLEVELAND CLINIC AKRON GENERAL | CLEVELAND, OH | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| GLENVIEW PARK FOUNDATION | GLENVIEW, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES. |
| ILLINOIS TURFGRASS ENDOWMENT | LEMONT, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| CADDIE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY | KENOSHA, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES. |
| AMERICAN SOCIETY OF GOLF COURSE ARC | BROOKFIELD, WI | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE SOCIETY'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| CHANNAHON PARK FOUNDATION | CHANNAHON, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| WESTERN GOLF ASSOCIATION | GLENVIEW, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES. |
| THE FIRST TEE OF GREATER CHARLESTON | MT PLEASANT, SC | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES. |
| AMERICAN GOLF IND COALITION WORLD G | POINTE VERDA BEACH, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| SPECIAL OLYMPICS ILLINOIS | NORMAL, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE |
| THE FIRST TEE OF JERSEY SHORE | MOUNT PLEASANT, NJ | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES. |
| MARION MILITARY INSTITUTE | MARION, AL | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES. |
| GOLF COURSE BUILDERS OF AMERICA FOU | LINCOLN, NE | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| US KIDS GOLF FOUNDATION | PEACHTREE CENTER, GA | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES. |
| GATOR JUNIOR GOLF ASSOCIATION | GAINSVILLE, FL | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES. |
| GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIA | LAWRENCE, KS | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES. |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER ST L | ST LOUIS, MO | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| CANTIGNY FOUNDATION | WHEATON, IL | $10,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES. |
| SPECIAL OLYMPICS MARYLAND | BALTIMORE, MD | $7,500 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES. |
| JOURNEY THROUGH 18 | HOUSTON, TX | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| LEWIS UNIVERSITY GOLF | ROMEOVILLE, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES. |
| VISUALLY IMPAIRED BLIND ATHLETES OF | MARANA, AZ | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| EASTERSEALS OF JOLIET REGION | JOLIET, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES. |
| NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR ACCESSIBLE GO | ST AUGUSTINE, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES. |
| CITY PARKS FOUNDATION | NEW YORK, NY | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| THE FIRST TEE OF TROUP COUNTY | LAGRANGE, GA | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES. |
| SOUTH WEST SPECIAL RECREATION ASSOC | ALSIP, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| ATLANTA POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE | ATLANTA, GA | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES. |
| GOLF FOR LIFE NFP | LISLE, IL | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES. |
| NATIONAL GOLF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT FO | GILBERT, AZ | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| SPECIAL OLYMPICS PENNSYLVANIA | NORRISTOWN, PA | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| FIRST TEE - PALM BEACHES | WEST PALM BEACH, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| ORLANDO MINORITY YOUTH GOLF FOUNDAT | OLRANDO, FL | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
| GOLF MY FUTURE MY GAME | WASHINGTON, DC | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES. |
| FAIRWAYS TO LEADERSHIP | SILVER SPRINGS, MD | $5,000 | 2026 | TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE. |
METROPOLITAN GOLF FOUNDATION
$100,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE.
EVANSTON WILMETTE GOLF COURSE ASSOC
$50,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES.
NATIONAL LINKS TRUST
$50,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE.
THE FIRST TEE OF GREATER CHICAGO
$25,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES.
CHICAGO DISTRICT GOLF ASSOCIATION F
$25,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES.
ILLINOIS PGA FOUNDATION
$25,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES.
REVELATIONGOLF
$20,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES.
THE TURN
$20,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES.
MARYVILLE GOLF ACADEMY
$20,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES.
VETERANS GOLFERS ASSOCIATIN
$15,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA PGA
$15,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES.
NORTHERN TEXAS PGA FOUNDATION
$15,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE.
DILLON JUNIOR GOLF
$15,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE.
US ADAPTIVE GOLF ASSOCIATION
$15,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES.
PLAINFILD NORTH WHITE TIGERS ATH BO
$12,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE.
CLEVELAND CLINIC AKRON GENERAL
$10,000TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
GLENVIEW PARK FOUNDATION
$10,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES.
ILLINOIS TURFGRASS ENDOWMENT
$10,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE.
CADDIE LEADERSHIP ACADEMY
$10,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES.
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF GOLF COURSE ARC
$10,000TO FURTHER THE SOCIETY'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
CHANNAHON PARK FOUNDATION
$10,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE.
WESTERN GOLF ASSOCIATION
$10,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES.
THE FIRST TEE OF GREATER CHARLESTON
$10,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES.
AMERICAN GOLF IND COALITION WORLD G
$10,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS ILLINOIS
$10,000TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
THE FIRST TEE OF JERSEY SHORE
$10,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES.
MARION MILITARY INSTITUTE
$10,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES.
GOLF COURSE BUILDERS OF AMERICA FOU
$10,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE.
US KIDS GOLF FOUNDATION
$10,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES.
GATOR JUNIOR GOLF ASSOCIATION
$10,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES.
GOLF COURSE SUPERINTENDENTS ASSOCIA
$10,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES.
BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER ST L
$10,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE.
CANTIGNY FOUNDATION
$10,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS MARYLAND
$7,500TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES.
JOURNEY THROUGH 18
$5,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE.
LEWIS UNIVERSITY GOLF
$5,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES.
VISUALLY IMPAIRED BLIND ATHLETES OF
$5,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE.
EASTERSEALS OF JOLIET REGION
$5,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES.
NATIONAL ALLIANCE FOR ACCESSIBLE GO
$5,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES.
CITY PARKS FOUNDATION
$5,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE.
THE FIRST TEE OF TROUP COUNTY
$5,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES.
SOUTH WEST SPECIAL RECREATION ASSOC
$5,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE.
ATLANTA POLICE ATHLETIC LEAGUE
$5,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES.
GOLF FOR LIFE NFP
$5,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES.
NATIONAL GOLF PLAYER DEVELOPMENT FO
$5,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS PENNSYLVANIA
$5,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE.
FIRST TEE - PALM BEACHES
$5,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE.
ORLANDO MINORITY YOUTH GOLF FOUNDAT
$5,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE.
GOLF MY FUTURE MY GAME
$5,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSES.
FAIRWAYS TO LEADERSHIP
$5,000TO FURTHER THE FOUNDATION'S EXEMPT PURPOSE.