Notah Begay III Foundation

Notah Begay III Foundation
Name	Notah Begay III Foundation
Formation	2005
Founder	Notah Begay III
Type	Nonprofit
Headquarters	Albuquerque, New Mexico
Area served	United States
Focus	Native American youth health and wellness, youth golf, obesity prevention

Notah Begay III Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded in 2005 by Notah Begay III to address health disparities among Native American youth through physical activity, nutrition education, and youth development. The foundation operates programs that combine golf instruction with wellness curricula across reservations and urban communities, partnering with tribes, foundations, sports organizations, and academic institutions. Its work intersects with public health initiatives, philanthropy networks, and sports-based youth development models.

History

The foundation was established in 2005 after Notah Begay III—a PGA Tour professional golfer and member of the Pueblo and Navajo Nation heritage—recognized high rates of childhood obesity and diabetes among Native American communities. Early activities involved clinics on tribal lands such as the Navajo Nation, Pueblo of Zuni, and Tohono O'odham Nation and collaborations with organizations like the Indian Health Service, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and local public health agencies. Expansion of programming occurred through grants from philanthropic entities including the Wells Fargo Foundation, the Kellogg Foundation, and partnerships with sports franchises such as the New Mexico United and professional athletes affiliated with the PGA Tour Champions. Over time the foundation built relationships with universities—University of New Mexico, University of Arizona, and New Mexico State University—for evaluation and curriculum development.

Mission and Programs

The foundation’s mission emphasizes reducing juvenile obesity and improving youth wellness by integrating sports instruction with nutrition and physical-activity education. Core programming blends golf skill development inspired by Notah Begay III with evidence-based curricula modeled after interventions used by organizations such as YMCA, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and public-health campaigns like those initiated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Programs target tribal communities, urban Native centers, and school partnerships with entities such as Albuquerque Public Schools and charter networks. Administrative governance and nonprofit best practices have connected the foundation to fiduciary and grantmaking institutions including GuideStar and the National Council of Nonprofits.

Notah Begay III Youth Golf and Education Programs

The youth golf and education programs combine on-course instruction with classroom lessons derived from pedagogical approaches found in After-school programs and sports-academy models like the IMG Academy. Youth cohorts receive coaching from certified instructors and former collegiate players from institutions such as Stanford University, Oklahoma State University, and the University of Florida. Curriculum elements borrow assessment tools and behavior-change techniques used by researchers at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health to monitor body-mass-index trends and activity levels. Tournament opportunities and scholarships link participants to junior circuits like the AJGA and college recruiting networks across the NCAA.

Community Health Initiatives

Community health initiatives emphasize diabetes prevention and nutritional access in collaboration with federal and tribal health entities including the Indian Health Service, the Indian Health Care Improvement Act stakeholders, and tribal health departments. Interventions have included farmers-market partnerships with programs similar to the USDA's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program pilots and community gardens modeled on projects run by the National Congress of American Indians affiliates. The foundation’s campaigns align with clinical guidance from professional bodies such as the American Diabetes Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, and have been evaluated using metrics promoted by the World Health Organization for noncommunicable disease prevention.

Partnerships and Funding

Funding and strategic partnerships span philanthropic foundations, corporate sponsors, tribal governments, and sports organizations. Major collaborators have included the PGA TOUR, the USGA, regional healthcare systems like Presbyterian Healthcare Services (New Mexico), and national funders such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and local community foundations. Corporate support and in-kind donations have come from companies active in sports philanthropy and retail, while tribal grants and memoranda of understanding have enabled program delivery on sovereign lands. Academic partnerships for program evaluation have involved University of New Mexico, University of Arizona, and public-health research centers.

Impact and Recognition

The foundation reports measurable outcomes in increased physical activity, improved dietary knowledge, and reduced risk markers for diabetes among participating youth, with documented program evaluations shared with tribal councils and funders. Recognition has come from sports media outlets covering PGA Tour philanthropy, Native American advocacy groups including the National Congress of American Indians, and public-health forums highlighting culturally tailored interventions. Alumni have advanced to collegiate athletics, coaching roles, and community-health positions, contributing to a network of practitioners who connect tribal communities with national sports and health institutions.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in New Mexico Category:Native American health