Eldrick “Tiger” Woods launched the Tiger Woods Foundation in 1996, at the age of 20. He knew the junior golf program and the grants were having a positive impact, but the tragedy of 9/11 made him realize he needed to do more. He wanted a permanent, safe space for kids to explore their dreams. From there, he created the TGR Learning Lab in Anaheim and the Earl Woods Scholar Program, honoring his late father.
Over twenty years later, the results speak for themselves. To date, the TGR Learning Lab has served more than 165,000 students, introduced 85,000 girls to STEM careers and reached 1,000 educators annually, bringing them professional-development programs in STEM education.
They have also been pioneers in positive youth development, building resilience and developing self-advocacy skills in young people. Research shows this is critical to long-term success in life. Tiger wants to give every student access to educational resources and show them that their self-worth is not defined by where they come from or the color of their skin.
The Earl Woods Scholars embody that tenacity, blazing trails to become tomorrow’s innovators, creators and leaders. At 98.7%, they have one of the highest college graduation rates among scholarship programs in the U.S. And the unique one-to-one philosophy provides critical support to first-generation college students.
For the last two decades, Tiger has done more for children who have less. And now he is expanding the reach through TGR EDU: Explore, providing award-winning programs to millions of students, teachers and families worldwide.
Quality educational resources can transform students and schools. They have the long-term power to impact crime, generational poverty and unemployment. Tiger is dedicated to the growth of this important work and he is just getting started.