Northern Ohio Golf Charities Foundation is a private foundation based in Akron, Ohio, established in 2008. The organization operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable entity dedicated to uplifting the northeast Ohio community through volunteer leadership, professional golf legacy stewardship, and strategic grantmaking to nonprofit organizations.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$1.4M
-12.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.1M
+0.5% YoY
Grant Count
67
+39.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$16K
-28.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Northern Ohio Golf Charities Foundation's mission is to uplift the community by cultivating a strong, reliable volunteer force that serves as an engine to empower northeast Ohio nonprofit organizations serving community needs.
The foundation pursues this mission through three primary activities:
Legacy of Professional Golf — Continuing the legacy of professional golf at Firestone Country Club by providing volunteer leadership and expertise to support tournament operations.
Ambassador of Golf Award — Honoring leaders and philanthropists who contribute to the game of golf through the annual Ambassador of Golf Award.
Impactful Grantmaking — Supporting the nonprofit community through funding impactful opportunities.
The foundation awards grants to 501(c)(3) and 509(a) organizations that advance:
- Education
- Health and human services
- Civic organizations
- Arts and culture
Grantmaking
Grants are awarded through an application process, with the exception of certain designated charities. The foundation works in conjunction with Northern Ohio Golf Charities to conduct the Kaulig Companies Championship, which raises funds distributed to the community through this application process.
Grant Range
$150 to $200,000
How to Apply
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in Ohio, with particular focus on northeast Ohio communities including Akron, Canton, and Cleveland. Grant activity has also been documented in Florida and Pennsylvania.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2025):
- Total assets: $1,403,514
- Total revenues: $1,330,997
- Total expenses: $1,373,809
- Total giving: $1,053,474
- Number of employees: 0 (volunteer-led organization)
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $1,403,514 | $1,607,136 | $1,484,431 |
| Revenue | $1,330,997 | $1,505,795 | $1,454,234 |
| Expenses | $1,373,809 | $1,325,441 | $1,414,338 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $1,087,057 | $1,087,671 | $848,910 |
| Net Investment Income | $22,510 | $31,546 | $11,532 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
207 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from Northern Ohio Golf Charities
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Board & Key Personnel:
| Name | Title | Hours/Week | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Michael Adolph | President | 1 | $0 |
| George Van Horne | Vice President | 1 | $0 |
| Kevin Harris | Treasurer | 1 | $0 |
| Tom Kingsbury | Secretary | 1 | $0 |
| Robert Knapp | Trustee | 1 | $0 |
| Kevin Hill | Trustee | 1 | $0 |
| Terry Ginley | Trustee | 1 | $0 |
| Bambi Miller | Trustee | 1 | $0 |
| Mitch Kritzell | Trustee | 1 | $0 |
| Rick Burke | Trustee | 1 | $0 |
| Ralph Paulk | Trustee | 1 | $0 |
| Danielle Thompson | NOGC&F Executive | 16 | $76,000 |
The organization operates with a volunteer-led board and minimal paid staff, with Danielle Thompson serving as the primary executive staff member.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROBERT KNAPP | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MICHAEL ADOLPH | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| KEVIN HILL | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| TERRY GINLEY | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| BAMBI MILLER | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MITCH KRITZELL | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| RICK BURKE | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| DANIELLE THOMPSON | NOGC&F EXEC. | 16 | $76,229 |
| GEORGE VAN HORNE | VICE PRESIDE | 1 | — |
| KEVIN HARRIS | TREASURER | 1 | — |
| RALPH PAULK | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| TOM KINGSBURY | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2026 Ambassador of Golf Award:**
Professional golfer John Daly was named the 2026 Ambassador of Golf Honoree. Daly, a two-time major champion (1991 PGA Championship and 1995 Open Championship), was recognized for his impact on the sport and his dedication to charitable causes benefiting children, military families, and individuals facing serious health challenges.
**Tournament Operations:**
The foundation continues to support the Kaulig Companies Championship, which celebrates legacy, community engagement, and charitable fundraising in Akron.
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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