Genesis Donates $300,000 to First Tee, Girls On The Run, and U.S. Soccer Foundation at 2025 Genesis Invitational

February 19, 2025

SAN DIEGO – To commemorate the 2025 Genesis Invitational, Genesis donated a total of $300,000 to three organizations empowering young athletes. First Tee, Girls on the Run, and U.S. Soccer Foundation each received $100,000 in support of expanding access to youth sports. A portion of each donation will aid recovery from the wildfires in Southern California, reinforcing Genesis’ commitment to both sports accessibility and community resilience.

“At Genesis, we are committed to not only developing world-class vehicles, but also giving back to our communities,” said Tedros Mengiste, chief operating officer, Genesis Motor North America. “We are proud to continue supporting organizations that inspire and empower the next generation through sports. This year, we are especially grateful that our donations will also help rebuild Southern California—the place we call home.”

For the fourth consecutive year, Genesis is partnering with nonprofit organizations that support youth nationwide through high-quality sports programs designed to foster valuable life skills, such as commitment, resilience, and teamwork. The donations are made through Genesis Gives, a corporate social responsibility initiative from Genesis Motor America, which aims to improve access to youth sports in under-resourced communities. Some of this year’s funds will go toward restoring and sustaining local sports programs in Southern California that were impacted by the wildfires.

“We are grateful to Genesis for its ongoing support of First Tee and our efforts to provide youth development programming to more than 3 million kids annually,” said Greg McLaughlin, chief executive officer, First Tee. “Like Genesis, First Tee has deep roots in Los Angeles, and we thank Genesis for helping our Chapters in the area as they recover from last month’s devastating wildfires. This donation from Genesis will truly make a difference for these First Tee families.”

“We are incredibly grateful for the generous support from Genesis Gives, which will allow us to expand access to our life-changing programs for girls across the country,” said Elizabeth Kunz, chief executive officer, Girls on the Run International. “Now more than ever, girls need a supportive community where they can build confidence, resilience, and a sense of belonging, and this funding will help ensure that no girl is left behind.”

“We are thrilled to continue our partnership with Genesis and continue to provide access to proven soccer programs and create safe places to play for children in under-resourced communities that improve their health and well-being,” said Ed Foster-Simeon, president and chief executive officer, U.S. Soccer Foundation.

The following organizations each received a donation of $100,000:

• First Tee: First Tee builds game changers by empowering kids and teens to be the best version of themselves. By integrating the game of golf with character-building, First Tee creates learning experiences that uncover young athletes’ inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience. The donation will provide more youth with opportunities to develop golf and life skills at First Tee chapters, while also aiding the recovery of First Tee – Greater Pasadena, which lost most of its equipment in the recent wildfires. To date, Genesis has donated a cumulative $400,000 to First Tee.
• Girls on the Run: Girls on the Run inspires girls to be joyful, healthy, and confident through a fun, experience-based curriculum that creatively integrates running. Programming for 3rd-8th graders empowers participants to recognize their individual strengths while building a sense of connection in a team setting. This donation will help widen access and ensure long-term sustainability of Girls on the Run initiatives and local councils offering programs at schools and community sites. A portion of the funding will directly assist Southern California councils recovering from the impact of recent wildfires, providing them with the necessary resources to continue inspiring and uplifting the next generation of girls. To date, Genesis has donated a cumulative $350,000 to Girls on the Run.
• U.S. Soccer Foundation: U.S. Soccer Foundation provides underserved communities with access to innovative play spaces and evidence-based soccer programs that instill hope, foster well-being, and help youth achieve their fullest potential. This year’s donation will support the creation of mini-pitches in Southern California and Atlanta to provide safer places for young people to play the game right in the communities where they live and go to school. To date, Genesis has donated a cumulative $350,000 to U.S. Soccer Foundation.

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First Tee

The mission of First Tee 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. First Tee is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit youth development organization that is supported by the PGA TOUR and many other organizations, foundations, companies and individuals. Over more than 27 years, First Tee has reached millions of young people through its network of 150 Chapters, 12,000 schools and 2,000 youth centers. Headquartered in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida, USA, programs are delivered in all 50 United States and select international locations.

Girls on the Run

Girls on the Run International (GOTRI) creates and offers after-school empowerment programs designed for third- to eighth-grade girls. The national nonprofit helps participants build confidence, increase their level of physical activity, and learn essential life skills such as managing emotions, resolving conflicts, and forming friendships through the innovative integration of fun physical activities, engaging lessons, and impactful community projects. The research-based curriculum led by trained volunteer coaches explores core topics relevant to 8- to 13-year-old girls, including understanding emotions, fostering friendships, expressing empathy, and standing up for ourselves. The coaches and curriculum create a sense of belonging for all participants and meet the vital needs of girls today. The program culminates in a Community Impact Project and a celebratory 5K. Since it was founded in 1996, this national movement has served more than 2.5 million girls in all 50 states and Canada. Learn more at girlsontherun.org.

U.S. Soccer Foundation

As the national leader for sports-based youth development in under-resourced areas, the U.S. Soccer Foundation is on a mission to let soccer do what it does: change absolutely everything. Founded as a legacy of the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the Foundation provides underserved communities access to innovative play spaces and evidence-based soccer programs that instill hope, foster well-being, and help youth achieve their fullest potential. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Soccer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. For more information visit www.ussoccerfoundation.org or follow us on LinkedIn and Instagram.

Genesis Gives

Genesis Gives is a corporate social responsibility initiative from Genesis Motor America. Expanding on the brand’s commitment to the highest standards of performance and its athletic elegance design identity, Genesis Gives supports nonprofit organizations with the goal of improving access to, and performance in, youth sports and STEAM education in under-resourced communities. Since 2022, Genesis has donated nearly $1.8 million to support communities across the country. For more information, visit genesisgives.com.

Genesis Motor North America

Genesis is a new global automotive brand that delivers the highest standards of design, safety, refined performance, and innovation while looking towards a more sustainable future. Drawing from its cultural heritage and distinctly Korean hospitality, Genesis crafts experiences focused on customers as “son-nim”, or honored guests.

Genesis Motor North America offers a growing range of award-winning SUV, sedan, and electric models through its network of more than 200 independent U.S. retailers, in addition to its more than 30 Canadian agency distributors. Genesis now counts more than 60 standalone retail facilities across the North American region, with dozens more in development. Consumers can discover the brand through its many retail points, at Genesis House, the brand’s flagship space in New York City, or online at www.genesis.com.