Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We value and respect the diverse backgrounds and stories of everyone we work with – from our team members and customers all the way to the vendors we choose as partners. We’re committed to making choices that will help us build and maintain a diverse and talented workforce.
We succeed when equality is at the forefront and we have the honor of working with people from many different communities. That’s why we’ve taken steps to ensure our recruiting practices are inclusive and we’ve committed to building partnerships that connect us with all communities.
We succeed when creativity and innovation come from all corners of our business. From a local municipal gem to our events, clients and our home office, our teams work alongside each other to bring different perspectives to the table. And our goal is to create a safe space for everyone to share their voice.
We succeed when our relationships are united by passion, solutions and dedication to growing our industries. No matter what a person’s background or ability may be, we aim to level the playing field. We look for diversity in thought and experience. And ultimately, it’s a person’s passion and ideas that make them a good addition to the KemperSports family.
Folds of Honor
In 2023, our properties and team members exceeded the $2 million milestone in fundraising efforts for Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the families of fallen or disabled military men and women. Since 2013, we have worked closely with the organization and empowered our teams to host creative programming, events, fundraisers and friendly competitions to benefit the organization. Through our collective fundraising efforts, we have funded more than 400 Folds of Honor scholarships and counting.
To deepen our support of families of fallen or disabled U.S. Military Service Members, we are proud to connect Folds of Honor scholarship recipients and military families with meaningful employment opportunities across the golf, hospitality, public relations, sports marketing and events industries. We are committed to giving first preference in hiring and training opportunities across both companies to scholarship recipients who meet the job requirements. To learn more about this new program, click here.
Evans Scholars Foundation
We’re proud to support the Evans Scholars Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides full tuition and housing college scholarships to deserving golf caddies. Many of our properties employ caddies who have received the Evans Scholarship, including Bandon Dunes Golf Resort, Sand Valley, Royal Melbourne Country Club and The Glen Club.
We’re also proud to host the NV5 Invitational, a Korn Ferry Tour event that benefits the Evans Scholars Foundation. Together with the Western Golf Association, we have hosted the NV5 Invitational at The Glen Club in Glenview, Illinois since May 2019.
The First Tee
We have a long history of supporting young people through golf and creating opportunities to teach important life lessons through the sport. For more than two decades, we’ve worked with First Tee - Greater Chicago, an organization that our Founder and Chairman Steve Lesnik helped establish in 2000, to teach valuable life skills through the game of golf throughout the Chicagoland area. Our support continues today as we made the single largest contribution in our history, and a long-term commitment, to First Tee – Greater Chicago to fund a new clubhouse in the city that opened in June 2021. KemperSports Executive Vice President Josh Lesnik also currently serves on the board of directors of First Tee - Greater Chicago.
However, our support of The First Tee stretches far beyond Chicago as more than 20 of our properties nationwide serve as host sites for local First Tee chapters.
"KemperSports is an incredible partner, and we are grateful for its commitment to our mission and the selfless giving of so many team members who have helped reach this ($1 million) milestone. We are proud to continue our work with KemperSports and its team as we further our mission of honoring the sacrifice and educating the legacy of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country.”
- Major Dan Rooney, Founder/CEO at Folds of Honor