Gator Junior Golf Selected to Receive Funds Through Industry’s ‘Make Golf Your Thing’ Grant Program
Gator Junior Golf one of 81 Organizations Across U.S.
Receiving Grant through ‘Make Golf Your Thing’ DEI Initiative
Gainesville, Florida June 2022 – Gator Junior Golf has been selected to receive funding through a dedicated grant program operated by the golf industry’s DEI campaign, Make Golf Your Thing. As one of 81 designated organizations across the U.S., Gator Junior Golf was chosen for its efforts to increase golf participation among underrepresented populations of the sport.
Gator Junior Golf is a 501(c)3 non-profit sports-based youth development program that focuses on teaching golf skills and life skills through the game of golf. We build a foundation in our children’s lives that begins on the golf course and matures to success in life.
Initially introduced in 2021, the grant program – through its latest round of funding – has now issued 155 grants to 111 unique organizations overall, totaling more than $1 million to-date.
“Our funding partnership with Make Golf Your Thing highlights Gator Junior Golf’s commitment to providing the best, well-rounded opportunities for the kids in our community. What we’ve been able to accomplish over the past six years has been remarkable and this partnership will help us take it to the next level.”
The grant program was established to support organizations or programs dedicated to increasing golf participation among underrepresented populations in the sport (i.e., Black, Latinx, Asian, Indigenous communities, as well as women, LGBTQI+ individuals, veterans, and individuals with disabilities). The program is being financially supported by industry partners committed to helping make the game more welcoming and inclusive for all.
Our Mission is to enhance the lives of youth by providing educational programs that promote team-building, establish mentorship, and build character through the game of golf. Our Vision is to provide equitable opportunities for the children in our community to develop through the game of golf regardless of socioeconomic status, race, gender or physical ability. Today, we reach over 450 kids annually through 22 weekly golf classes, six golf courses across three counties. We operate targeted programs to four key underserved demographics to support our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives: low-income families, minorities, girls and children with disabilities or severe illness. These programs include our Girls Place and Reichert House after-school programs and Shands Children’s Hospital Golf Program.
Formally launched in May 2021, Make Golf Your Thing is the industry’s movement to make golf accessible to individuals from all backgrounds. Led by six cross-industry work groups, the initiative is specifically focused on: education & skill development, talent acquisition, procurement, human resources, youth & adult player development, and marketing/communications.
The grant program is being administered by the American Golf Industry Coalition, a partnership among golf’s leading organizations to promote and advocate for the collective interests of the sport. Funding for the program is led by a contingent of industry supporters committed to making the sport more welcoming and inclusive for all.
For more information on Gator Junior Golf, visit www.gatorjuniorgolf.org or www.facebook.com/gatorjuniorgolf
For more information on Make Golf Your Thing, visit https://makegolfyourthing.org/.