gmaxe, Author at First Tee

FTSV Now Accepts Non-Cash Asset Donations

FTSV Now Accepts Non-Cash Asset Donations – You now have the ability to directly donate to FTSV in 100+ Cryptocurrencies, Stock, and DAF using a secure method – The Giving Block.

Making a non-cash donation to support FTSV enables us to make our youth development programs accessible to youth of different backgrounds and perspectives and affordable to families experiencing financial hardship.

Golf provides a powerful vehicle to help kids build the strength of character and life skills that they can use both on and off the golf course.

FAQ: Learn how asset giving can increase impact and lower your taxes

1) How can I donate cryptocurrency to FTSV?

Donating crypto is safe, easy, and fast. Click the Donate Crypto-Stock-DAF pop-up button on our Donate website page and making a charitable gift is a quick three-step process:

Select your preferred crypto and enter your gift amount
Type in your email and basic info (or choose to give anonymously)
Make your gift!

Upon making a donation, you can elect to receive an automatically generated tax receipt that will be sent to the email address you provide after a certain amount of confirmations of the transaction on the blockchain. This confirmation of your donation will help you close the loop when calculating your taxes.

Crypto charitable donations are processed quickly and safely with The Giving Block.

2) How can I donate stock to FTSV?

Donating stock is safe and easy. Click the Donate Crypto-Stock-DAF pop-up button on our Donate website page and making a charitable gift of stock is a quick, five-step process:

Select your stock ticker and confirm the company name in the donation form
Enter your gift amount
Type in your email and address info for the receipt
Enter your brokerage account information
Virtually sign & make your gift!

Upon making a donation, you will receive an email notification from The Giving Block that your gift is being processed. In some circumstances, you may need to take action with your broker. The email will have instructions on any next steps.

Charitable donations of stock are processed safely and typically within 6-8 business days with The Giving Block’s distribution partner. Processing times can be longer during December or when dealing with restricted stock.

3) How can I donate DAFs to FTSV?

Donating from your Donor Advised Funds is safe, easy, and fast. Click the Donate Crypto-Stock-DAF pop-up button on our Donate website page and making a charitable gift is a quick process:

Select the DAF ticker and confirm the company name in the widget
Enter your gift amount
Type in your email and address info for the receipt
Enter your brokerage account information
Virtually sign & make your gift!

Upon making a donation, you can elect to receive an automatically generated receipt that will be sent to the email address you provide.

Grants and donations from your DAF are processed quickly and safely with The Giving Block.

4) Why does FTSV accept cryptocurrency?

Crypto Philanthropy is a new and thrilling fundraising avenue for nonprofit organizations like FTSV. With more than 300 million crypto users worldwide and the value of many cryptocurrencies rising, the crypto community is in a position to make a wide-reaching impact through philanthropy. Donating crypto is also one of the most tax-efficient ways for individuals to support causes that matter to them. We are excited about what the future holds in the crypto and blockchain space, and believe that we’ve just scratched the surface of its true fundraising potential.

5) Why does FTSV accept stock?

Stock fundraising is a critical donation revenue driver for nonprofit organizations like FTSV.

With over 60% of Americans owning stock and billions in stock donated to US charities every year, stock donations can make a wide-reaching impact through philanthropy. Studies show that nonprofits that accept noncash assets typically grow 50% faster than those that do not and they grow 66% faster when they accept non-cash securities such as stock.

Donating stock is also one of the most tax-efficient ways for individuals to support causes that matter to them. We are excited about what the future holds in the crypto and blockchain space, and believe that we’ve just scratched the surface of its true fundraising potential.

6) Why does FTSV accept DAFs?

Donating from your Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) is a smart and impactful way to give to FTSV.

7) Which cryptocurrencies do you accept?

We currently accept more than 100 cryptocurrencies, including:

Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), USD Coin (USD), Tether (USDT), XRP (XRP), Avalanche (AVAX), Samoyedcoin (SAMO), Galxe (GAL), STEPN (GMT), Tune.FM (JAM), Chiliz (CHZ), Qredo (QRDO), Polkadot (DOT), Solana (SOL), Dogecoin (DOGE), Shiba Inu (SHIB), Polygon (MATIC), Dai (DAI), Litecoin (LTC), ChainLink (LINK), Uniswap (UNI), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), Decentraland (MANA), Filecoin (FIL), The Sandbox (SAND), ApeCoin (APE), Fantom (FTM), Axie Infinity Shards (AXS), Tezos (XTZ), Aave (AAVE), Zcash (ZEC), Maker (MKR), The Graph (GRT), Gala (GALA), Quant (QNT), Enjin Coin (ENJ), Loopring (LRC), Synthetix (SNX), Basic Attention Token (BAT), Curve Dao Token (CRV), Amp (AMP), Compound (COMP), Skale (SKL), PAX Gold (PAXG), yearn.finance (YFI), Ankr (ANKR), 0x (ZRX), Livepeer (LPT), Render Token (RNDR), Dogelon Mars (ELON), UMA (UMA), SushiSwap (SUSHI), Storj (STORJ), Ren (REN), Lido (LDO), Ethereum Name Service (ENS), Injective (INJ), Fetch.ai (FET), Orchid (OXT), API3 (API3), Mask Network (MASK), Somnium Space (CUBE), Gemini Dollar (GUSD) and more!

We are continually in the process of adding support for new cryptocurrencies, so please check back soon for more giving options.

If you don’t see a cryptocurrency you would like to donate in, please fill out this form to be connected with our Crypto Philanthropy partners at The Giving Block.

8) I need assistance with my donation. How can I get in touch?

Thank you for your interest in supporting FTSV. To contact us about making a donation, please email [email protected] with the subject line, ‘Crypto -Stock – DAF Donation.

Remembering Coach John Jasso

Just before Thanksgiving, our organization’s original program leader, Coach John Jasso, passed away at the age of 87. He was an iconic figure for many years at Rancho and within our program.

Coach John was there in 2000 when Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course opened and the Eagles at Rancho Junior Golf Program began. He led Eagles for five years until Eagles became The First Tee of San Jose which he then led for the next two years along with Coach Brigid Moreton. TFTSJ hired its first full-time Program Manager, Molly Redfearn (now Springmann), in 2007 to build upon their great work. Coach John continued as a First Tee instructor until 2020.

Ultimately, Coach John served thousands of our kids and the patrons of Rancho for over 20 years as a Lifetime Recognized First Tee Coach and private instructor. During his tenure, he watched Thunderbird Golf Course evolve into Rancho and Eagles grow to first become The First Tee of San Jose and eventually First Tee – Silicon Valley. Our organization has impacted nearly 100,000 kids since 2000.

“Coach John was one of a handful of “founding fathers and mothers” of First Tee – Silicon Valley,” said George Maxe, President & CEO since 2008. “He was instrumental in getting our program started, so Coach John holds a truly special place in our formation and history. His dedication to teaching all kids, but especially Eastside kids, the game of golf and important life skills was exemplary. Coach John joyfully served others fueled by his Christian faith. We will miss him dearly.”

Coach John’s Obituary & Services (LINK)

Join the Caddy Club!

Join the Caddy Club! Don’t miss out on competing in the Caddy Club Majors US Open Competition June 17-20, followed by the British Open July 15-18 and next year’s Masters and PGA Championship. You can join the Caddy Club any time but why not be part of the fun now and start supporting our financial aid program Young people are growing in new environments that are demanding more from them, and therefore more from First Tee – Silicon Valley and from the golf community. Here’s How You Can Help

Every $250 donation allows FTSV to offer financial aid to a new under-served, at-risk youth participant to attend an 8-week program.
Become a Caddy Club member by making a minimum $20 monthly donation for at least 12 months.
All Caddy Club members receive invitations to our free Donor Appreciation events which includes our Caddy Club Majors fantasy golf competition with more than $25,000 in donated prizes available.

Together, Building Game Changers! Our kids and teens are facing challenges unseen by previous generations. Many lack access to safe opportunities that foster a culture of acceptance and provide mentorship. They live in a world where social pressures are always on, calm and confidence are hard to access, and perseverance is a required superpower every day. Youth Development through Golf FTSV exists to enable kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with life skills curriculum, we create learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that kids carry in everything they do. With the belief that ALL kids deserve the chance to grow in a supportive environment with mentors guiding them. We are dedicated to building golf programs that are accessible, welcoming, and as impactful as they are fun. Who You Will Be Helping FTSV on-course participants:

85% racially diverse
80% achieve all A’s and B’s in school
100% certifying youth graduate from HS
100% Ace top level teens go to college

Why FTSV Needs Your Help

Our FTSV chapter lacks the financial support of First Tee National and PGA TOUR tournaments. We are 96% locally-supported.

PGA TOUR Leadership Series

SAN JOSE, CA (February 8, 2021) − First Tee — Silicon Valley, a youth development organization that helps kids and teens build their strength of character through golf, has launched a first-of-its-kind leadership series this week with support from PGA TOUR Superstore. Seven Ace-level participants from First Tee — Silicon Valley are benefiting from the experience. The First Tee Leadership Series in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore is an interactive five-week series designed to provide teens the opportunity to discover their personal values and emerging leadership strengths. Through the series, teens also begin to explore potential career fields based on those findings and frame out multi-year goals to guide them as they navigate future career opportunities. “We are grateful to PGA TOUR Superstore, especially East Palo Alto General Manager, Sandy Davison, for providing opportunities for our teens that guide them to discover their strengths and translate that in to their interest and career choices.” said George Maxe, President & CEO of First Tee – Silicon Valley. Throughout the series, the teens will also meet and hear from PGA TOUR Superstore associates and First Tee alumni from across the country who will share personal accounts of their career paths and experiences. The Leadership Series – which was co-created between First Tee and PGA TOUR Superstore – is being hosted in 27 communities across the country where there is a store and a First Tee chapter. PGA TOUR Superstore general managers will facilitate the interactive sessions between Feb. 8 and March 15 either virtually or in stores and chapters, with safe and socially distant protocols in place. Once the participants complete the series, they will be eligible to apply for the First Tee Leadership Summit in partnership with PGA TOUR Superstore. The Summit will be held this August at PGA TOUR Superstore Chairman Arthur M. Blank’s West Creek Ranch in Montana. Forty teens will be selected for the Summit where they’ll take part in interactive workshops and outdoor leadership trainings. The Summit will include First Tee’s core competencies of building character, self-confidence and resilience as a part of the experience, combined with a robust curriculum of leadership and professional development. “At PGA TOUR Superstore, we are committed to giving back and being a positive influence in our communities,” said Dick Sullivan, President & CEO, PGA TOUR Superstore. “We truly believe in the purposeful impact sports can have in developing and supporting youth. PGA TOUR Superstore is proud to have supported First Tee for more than a decade, working together to open the door to more kids, especially inviting those who are in underserved communities.” In September, PGA TOUR Superstore announced a new grant that will help First Tee reach more children across the U.S. and strengthen its curriculum for teenage participants, including the development of this new Leadership Series and Summit. The Leadership Series and Summit is one of several national opportunities provided by First Tee headquarters to inspire and equip teens on a deeper level as they progress through the program and toward higher education opportunities. These events often become life-changing experiences for participants to expand their horizons, meet new people, learn more about themselves and prepare for their futures. For more information on First Tee, visit www.firsttee.org. About First Tee — Silicon Valley First Tee — Silicon Valley, a youth development organization, is one of 150 First Tee chapters across the United States and in select international locations. Our mission is to impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character and instill life-enhancing values through the game of golf at in-school and after-school programs. Learn more at www.firstteesiliconvalley.org. About PGA TOUR Superstore PGA TOUR Superstore is operated by Golf & Tennis Pro Shop, Inc., a subsidiary of AMB Sports + Entertainment and is headquartered in metro-Atlanta. As the PGA TOUR’s exclusive off-course/off-airport retail partner in North America, PGA TOUR Superstore provides customers with access to the same technology and expertise as card-carrying PGA TOUR pros. All stores are staffed with teaching professionals and have multiple state-of-the-art swing simulators, practice hitting bays, and large putting greens. There is also an in-house club making and repair facility. Along with equipment and accessories, PGA TOUR Superstore has an unmatched selection of men’s, women’s and juniors’ apparel and footwear for golf and tennis. For more information, visit www.pgatoursuperstore.com.

Same Mission, New Look for Us!

https://vimeo.com/453762615

Same Mission, New Look for First Tee — Silicon Valley

Our youth development organization is revitalizing the brand to better serve kids in the world they live in today

First Tee — Silicon Valley is a youth development organization empowering kids to build their strength of character through the game of golf, is updating our brand to better serve kids and address the growing pressures they face.

The brand evolution includes a new logo to be unveiled on September 1st, 2020; which is a metaphor for the growth guidance at the heart of First Tee. The changes include removing “The” from the organization’s name, updated colors and patterns, and a refreshed brand story. First Tee will release a new PSA on Sept. 4, which brings to life the new brand and reignites interest in its mission.

First Tee — Silicon Valley is part of a network of 150 chapters and is undergoing a brand refresh for the first time in the organization’s 23-year history. The brand evolution is grounded in research and insights from key stakeholders and is an updated reflection of First Tee’s promise to help empower kids to build their strength of character.

“First Tee — Silicon Valley has always been about helping kids navigate challenges, and to grow stronger as they move through them,” said CEO & President George Maxe. “We still believe the game of golf is the perfect platform for personal growth. We are excited to bring forward a powerful mission and a modern look and feel to everything we do.”

Since 2005, First Tee — Silicon Valley has been creating experiences that build character to empower kids through a lifetime of new challenges and continuous personal growth. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with a life skills curriculum, First Tee — Silicon Valley creates active learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence and resilience that kids can carry to everything they do. These character education programs are offered at Rancho del Pueblo, Baylands Golf Links and Gavilan College golf courses and through community outreach at 20 schools and youth organizations.

Forrest Richardson Remembers Grant Spaeth

Forrest Richardson (pictured far-right above) is the architect for the Baylands Golf Links renovation and a good friend of TFTSV. Here’s one of his memories of Grant Spaeth, who was one of TFTSV’s original Board Directors and a former USGA President. Grant was a gentleman, and also fun to be with. About 25 years ago he was consulting with a Japanese owner who had acquired Scottsdale Country Club (now known as Starfire). The owner, Mr. Oto, had arrived from Japan via Los Angeles and came late to the course. He apparently did not get any sleep on the flights. I had never met Mr. Oto, who stood all of 4-ft., 10-in. Mr. Oto spoke no English, at least that I could tell. Grant, being kind and wanting me to get to know Mr. Oto, suggested that I take Mr. Oto in my golf cart. This is where it got funny. Every so often Mr. Oto would exclaim something, point, etc. I would stop and Grant — bless him — would do his best to translate. All to no avail. It was hopeless, yet we continued on. At one hole we got out and I pointed to a bunker and made a gesture across my throat — as if we were going to kill it. Mr. Oto was very pleased at this and nodded that, he too, liked getting rid of the bunker. So off we went. Then it happened. I swung to the left to meet up with a cart path and Mr. Oto — who had fallen fast asleep unbeknownst to me — started to fall out of the cart … while yelling some profanities in Japanese. Fortunately I caught Mr. Oto by the arm just as he was falling backwards over the short cart armrest. When we stopped, I could tell he literally had no clue where he was — or who I was. Grant was laughing his head off. Soon we were all laughing as Grant made his way to Mr. Oto, who by this time was wide awake. It took four more holes before Grant stopped laughing, but he never let Mr. Oto see him! Later, Grant gave me some sage advice — “Forrest, it’s never a good plan to kill the owner, especially before he pays the bill…remember that.”

Remembering Grant Spaeth

Golf lost a great friend recently with the passing of Grant Spaeth, who was one of TFTSV’s original Board Directors. He had strong ties to USGA, Stanford and public golf, including at Palo Alto Muni, which is now Baylands Golf Links.

Grant and I immediately clicked when I began as TFTSJ’s Executive Director in 2008. I think he felt sorry for me as a Cal Golden Bear! I will always remember his quick wit and grin as we would banter. I thought very highly of him and greatly appreciated his support and friendship.

Grant was instrumental in the early days of Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course and The First Tee of San Jose, our original name, as one of our Board Directors. USGA was very generous with funding for us in our early years. I’m certain that Grant’s affiliation as a past USGA President really helped. When we later expanded to Palo Alto Muni, Grant made sure that I understood the importance of changing our name to The First Tee of Silicon Valley as an umbrella name over all our program locations.

I received a call from Grant early one morning in 2009. “George, Please call me. I understand that Coach Willingham wants to get involved in TFTSJ, but you haven’t informed me.” I thought, “How on earth did I miss that? I’d certainly know if Coach Willingham had contacted me.” Nervously, I called Grant who then told me, “I will write a letter today. You will call Coach Willingham in three days.” When I called him I found out that he had just recently contacted our Program Manager, Molly, and was in the process of interviewing to become a Volunteer Coach, which he still is today. I enjoy this memory of Grant’s purposeful, direct approach to helping TFTSJ.

Forrest Richardson, the architect of Baylands Golf Links, recently asked me which hole is my favorite. “Oh, the ninth hole!,” I said without hesitation. I explained that I always think of Grant while walking up the ninth fairway having played a wonderful few holes there at twilight with him one time. The ninth hole also makes me think of one of my favorite authors and Stanford’s Wallace Stegner. As Grant and I walked and talked, I mentioned for some reason that I was reading Stegner’s “Crossing to Safety” to which Grant replied, “Oh, Wally! He was one of my dearest pals.” It was a great moment.

Grant walked into the Palo Alto Muni cafe for a meeting with me in late 2009/early 2010 with the voluminous USGA rules books under his wing. “Why are you of all people carrying those around?,” I asked. Grant quipped (with his quick wit and grin), “I’m studying to be a rules official at the upcoming 2010 US Open at Pebble Beach. Some son of a gun USGA President put a testing requirement in place when he was in charge!” Of course, he was speaking of himself. Too funny.

USGA and NCGA have very nice articles about Grant.

The banner photo (also below) includes Grant speaking at Rancho del Pueblo in 2001 where he presented a check to the Eagles at Rancho, the junior golf program that became TFTSJ in 2005, as well as Grant and me at the Grand Opening of Baylands Golf Links in 2018.

I am extremely grateful for his significant contributions to TFTSV.

George Maxe President & CEO, First Tee – Silicon Valley

Coach Chris, Our New Program Director!

Hearty congratulations are in order for Chris Moreno-Hunt, who was recently promoted to Program Director. Chris has over 8 years of experience as a Program Manager working for The First Tee, originally with the former chapter in Oakland/East Bay and then with us at TFTSV over the past 18 months. Chris has been a welcome, valued addition to our staff working closely with Coach Matt, who recently switched to being a part-time Program Instructor to pursue other interests.

Chris brings a nice blend of empathy, intelligence and golf skill to his work with TFTSV. First, He’s caring… He epitomizes what it means to be a mentor, walking alongside our participants — with empathy — in their development. Second, He’s smart… His approach to the business side of his work, including problem solving and decision making, is thoughtful, thorough and analytical. Third, He’s good… Chris is a scratch golfer, who really knows the game and how to play it well. He played on the teams at Berkeley HS and Pitzer College. We’re excited to see Chris further apply these strengths as he steps up to get TFTSV to the next level of programming. Chris will be building on the 19 years of program management foundation laid by Coach John Jasso from 2000 to 2007 when we were the Eagles at Rancho Junior Golf Program then The First Tee of San Jose, by Coach Molly from 2007 to 2017, and most recently by Coach Matt from 2012 to 2019. Having Chris as the single point person for all programming is essential as TFTSV continues to expand overall, but especially on the Mid-Peninsula. His responsibilities will include coordination and development of instruction, curriculum, outreach and opportunities. In time, we envision TFTSV having a Program Manager at each of our three main locations in San Jose, Palo Alto, and Gilroy. Coach Manny has been the closest to such a Program Manager role working at Gavilan College Golf Course in Gilroy since 2014.