Publication Date
2025
Presentation Length
15 minutes
College
Interdisciplinary Studies & Global Education
Department
Honors Program
Student Level
Undergraduate
SPARK Category
Research
Faculty Advisor
Robbie Matz
SPARK Session
Honors Scholars’ Collaborative II
Presentation Type
Talk/Oral
Summary
This study examines key aspects of nonprofit success at First Tee, a youth development organization that teaches life skills through golf. First Tee operates five branches in Tennessee—Chattanooga, Nashville, Tri-Cities, Knoxville, and Memphis—each with varying efficiencies and costs. While previous research highlights the program’s positive impact on youth development, little is known about how employee satisfaction and fundraising strategies affect its long-term sustainability. Using a mixed-methods, concurrent design, this study incorporates semi-structured interviews with Regional Directors and key employees, alongside job satisfaction survey data from staff. These methods assessed operational effectiveness, job satisfaction, and fundraising strategies to identify opportunities for improvement.
Preliminary results indicate that First Tee employs effective organizational best practices, with employees expressing strong alignment with the mission. However, findings highlight a need for greater cohesion both within and between branches, as staff seek stronger unity across the organization. Employees also expressed a desire for more open communication between branches to share successful fundraising practices and operational insights. Additionally, there is a rising demand for incentives beyond traditional workplace benefits, with employees looking for additional support and engagement opportunities. These insights suggest opportunities to enhance employee engagement, foster collaboration, and improve organizational effectiveness, ultimately strengthening First Tee’s long-term impact. Greater transparency and collaboration could help standardize best practices and improve overall organizational effectiveness.
Recommended Citation
Wise, Kennedy; Schwartz, Russell; Simmons, Brant; Wellemeyer, Ty; Summers, Janaya; and Matz, Robbie, "Evaluating Employee Turnover and Fundraising Metrics in Youth Sports Programming" (2025). SPARK Symposium Presentations. 557.
https://repository.belmont.edu/spark_presentations/557
