Ahlsten Foundation (AF): Tell us a bit about First Tee – Silicon Valley, for those who are unfamiliar with your organization
George Maxe (GM): We develop youth through golf with an emphasis on core values and life skills: goal setting, self-management, resilience, and interpersonal adeptness.
Kids are 2nd-12th grades and they go through 5 levels of our programming, which are developmentally appropriate for their age. For example, goal setting and appreciating diversity come later in the program. The younger kids concentrate more on values (e.g., respect) and interpersonal life skills (e.g., meeting and greeting).
We accept all kids, from all backgrounds into the program. Outreach, however, is targeted to low-income students. 50% of our participants receive financial assistance.
FEES Per 8 weeks class:
Fees $210 covering direct costs, $375 if you add in indirect, fixed, admin & fundraising costs.
30% of kids pay just $20, some pay $210… averages $120 per participant.
ETHNIC BREAKDOWN: 15% White / 40% Asian / 25% Latino / 20% Other (e.g., multi)
Typical Class Season = 560 KIDS divided by 8 = 70 paid instructor positions + several volunteers to allocate between 3 locations in San Jose, Palo Alto and Gilroy.
Mix between Paid instructors & Volunteers (>100)
Program participants work to become eligible for First Tee – Silicon Valley and other partner Scholarships, Internships, Caddie Program, and even national opportunities such as going to a resort for a week and playing golf in a tournament such as the PURE Insurance Championship at Pebble Beach with the pros!
First Tee – Silicon Valley has been in existence since 2005.
AF: What draws you to and keeps you so passionate about this job?
GM: When I was a student at Cal, I developed a personal mission to walk alongside individuals and organizations in their development, whether that be working with developing businesses, being an advisor to high school students at church, coaching Pony league baseball, or leading First Tee – Silicon Valley as its President & CEO. I love that place where that potential is right in front of you! It really hits me at my core. I don’t envision retirement any time soon. I could easily do this for another 20 years if I’m healthy.
Besides my President & CEO duties, I work with kids in the 5th (highest) level of the program, called ACE. The focus of this level is on:
Golf (the instructors teach this part)
Volunteerism (kids become junior coaches)
Future Education (college admission, etc.)
Future Careers (I love teaching this class.)
AF: How many of your students make it all the way through the 5th level of the program?
GM: If you make it through the entire program of 5 levels, you become “ACE Certified.” Nationally, there are around 200-250 ACE Certified students. We have 75 of them. We are the top performing chapter for taking these kids all the way through the program.
AF: What is one of FTSV’s greatest challenges?
GM: Figuring out how to engage and harness the right people on a board. I find that small business people are very good in that they understand all the aspects of running an organization from advertising to financials to human resources.
AF: What is one of your greatest accomplishments through FTSV?
GM: Holding the whole thing for 12 years and growing it strategically and financially. I do everything and it’s not easy to hold it all together. There’s too much at stake- it means so much to me to help these kids. A better run business is able to impact them in a more poignant way.
I like to remind the Board about the following 5 things:
We’re a business even though we’re a non-profit and a youth development organization.
We’re NOT a for-profit business.
We’re part of a national network.
We’re very under-resourced compared to our potential. Although we were well in the black last year, there is never enough to do all we can do.
People are here because they feel passionate about being here.
AF: What is your goal or greatest desire for these kids?
GM: Access…you might even call it hope. I want them to understand that the world is their oyster. It really doesn’t matter where you’ve come from regarding your ethnic background or zip code, for example. You have the ability and opportunity to do all kinds of things! If they will make good character a fundamental part of who they are, it will open all kinds of doors! Character helps create hope.
