- Genesis Gives Donates $100,000 each to First Tee, Girls on the Run, and the U.S. Soccer Foundation
As part of its corporate social responsibility initiative, Genesis Gives, Genesis Motor America donated $100,000 each to First Tee, Girls on the Run, and the U.S. Soccer Foundation for a total of $300,000 at this year’s Genesis Invitational 2024 in Pacific Palisades, Calif. This marks the third year Genesis has provided funding to these three organizations, starting with the launch of Genesis Gives at the 2022 Genesis Invitational, according to the release.
The release went on to say “Genesis is committed to developing world-class vehicles that exceed customer needs and expectations with a focus on performance and athletic elegance,” said Claudia Marquez, chief operating officer of Genesis Motor North America. “Genesis Gives expands on this commitment by providing access to STEM education and youth sports allowing young people across the country to thrive and experience the life-changing benefits of these programs.”
Through the Genesis Gives initiative, Genesis partners with organizations that positively impact the lives of children throughout the nation with high-quality youth sports programming. Physical activity is crucial to a child’s health and development and participating in organized youth sports programs can help kids learn life skills such as teamwork and improved social skills.
“We are grateful to Genesis for its ongoing support of the First Tee,” said First Tee CEO Greg McLaughlin. “We are proud of the work our chapters are doing in Southern California, and with help from partners like Genesis, we are able to provide our youth development program to millions of young people, including those in underserved areas.”
“We are grateful for Genesis’ continued support,” says Elizabeth Kunz, CEO of Girls on the Run. “Their consistent investment has enabled us to instill invaluable life skills in girls nationwide. This has helped us shape resilient and confident leaders of tomorrow. Together with Genesis, we are working towards creating a world where every girl has the potential to thrive.”
“Having access to youth sports is about so much more than fun and games,” said Ed Foster-Simeon, President & CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation. “That’s why we are thrilled to continue our partnership with Genesis. Together, we 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.”
The below organizations each received donations of $100,000:
- First Tee: First Tee empowers young people from all backgrounds to develop the leadership, self-confidence, and resilience needed to be successful and overcome adversity. Through integrating life skills training and a values-based curriculum with the game of golf, First Tee helps kids realize their potential and achieve their goals. This year’s donation will support First Tee’s efforts to make its golf and life skills curriculum more accessible to kids and families. To date, Genesis has donated a cumulative $300,000 to First Tee.
- Girls on the Run: Girls on the Run empowers girls in 3rd-8th grades through an evidence-based curriculum that combines dynamic, interactive lessons and running games. The program unleashes confidence and joy in girls while teaching life skills and establishing a lifetime appreciation of health and fitness at a young age. This year’s donation will support program reach and accessibility, including continued support of the Girls on the Run council network, marketing to drive national participation, and development of curricula, resources, and tools to grow the organization’s mission. To date, Genesis has donated a cumulative $250,000 to Girls on the Run.
- U.S. Soccer Foundation: The U.S. Soccer Foundation’s mission is to provide underserved communities access to innovative play spaces and evidence-based soccer programs that instill hope, foster well-being, and help youth achieve their full potential. This year’s donation will support the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s mini-pitch initiative and goal of installing 1,000 mini-pitches in underserved communities by 2026. To date, Genesis has donated a cumulative $250,000 to the U.S. Soccer Foundation.
