To provide youth in the Twin Cities structured programs focused on education & recreation balance, cultural enrichment and life skills by instilling the values inherent in the game of golf: honesty, self-reliance, sportsmanship, and integrity.
OUR MISSION:
Keeping Kids on Course
Future Practice Facility
PRESENT SITUATION
Since our organizational restructuring in 2005 we have focused 100% of our volunteer and in-kind efforts on instruction and play. With out the benefit of a home, Fairway has leveraged the good will of several courses and community organizations (Highland National, Theodore Worth, and Oxford Community Ctr in particular). These factors make transportation and range/course access fees the largest portion of our budget, additionally the lack of a consistent central location has proven to be a barrier to the continued growth of our Life Skills program, donation acceptance, and board and program participation for some.
SOLUTION
A facility located at the Highland National GC driving range that will provide a centralized, physical, and year round location for our program and office space. Additionally, it will provide driving range shelter during poor weather conditions, classroom area for our Life Skills program, and an area to host board meetings. Most importantly, it will be a positive impact on our annual program budget by reducing transportation and range expenses allowing Fairway to serve more Twin Cities youth.
Denny Sanford Learning Center Capital Campaign
Since The First Tee program started in 2005, community support has allowed The First Tee of Saint Paul to do remarkably well with our character education through the game of golf to the Saint Paul urban youth. The partnership with The Fairway Foundation has mutually benefited both organizations and has deepened the community reach. I am very optimistic that we will be able to break ground in early spring 2010, and a partnership to complete the Capital Campaign will bring us closer to our final goal.
Our stretch goal of $650,000 will allow us to build an outstanding facility, (Indoor area that has a computer area/,meeting room, an indoor golf area were individuals can practice/Golf Swing Video Analysis, a golf station to hit from indoor to outside, storage area, and offices) two new outside practice bunker's and chipping green, and a coverage over part of the driving range. (Pavilion)
While the facility is necessary for both programs to flourish, we see this as a benefit to the community as a whole. We have identified several sources of support for the capital campaign.
● Denny Sanford has committed to $125,000 cash donation toward the learning
facility as well as programming funds for The First Tee of St Paul over a four
year period.
● We have been awarded a $150,000 grant and a $150,000 loan through the City
of Saint Paul's Neighborhood STAR Loan and grant program. This requires
matching funds, some of which can be in-kind.
● Don Stevens, LLC Heating and cooling equipment and installation has been
committed. Value will be determined upon final spec completion.
● Dorsey & Whitney, LLC has taken The First Tee of Saint Paul on as a pro-bono
client. They have agreed to guide us in the dealings with the City of Saint Paul
with building this facility that will be on city property as well as all needed
contracts with the capital campaign.
● Haf Architects has created all initial drawings pro-bono. They have experience
working with the City of Saint Paul and will continue with us as architects and
general contractors.
● USGA Foundation has committed to $7,500 toward the chipping green and
bunker project.
● Toro is considering in-kind services to assist in the building of the facility and
practice area.
Various donors have been approached and decisions are pending.
We have established assets and will grant naming rights for donations. Understanding the Fairway's Foundation's desire to have office space in the learning center, The First Tee asks that a minimum of $75,000 be raised toward the capital campaign. In exchange for efforts on behalf of The Fairway Foundation, The First Tee will lease one office to The Fairway Foundation for the term of ten years.
Keeping Kids on Course
