Our story.
The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation inspires hope by providing critical funding at critical times to communities striving to make a difference.
The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation was established in February 2012 with the hope to change the lives of our country’s critically wounded veterans and to improve outcomes for individuals and families living in poverty. Founded by serial entrepreneur Bob Parsons and business executive Renee Parsons, the Foundation is guided by the couple’s personal experiences, values and beliefs.
Well known as the founder of GoDaddy, Bob Parsons is the founder of YAM Worldwide Inc. under which he owns and operates more than a dozen companies ranging from golf and motorcycles to marketing and production studios. It was his life before that success, however, that most impacts his philanthropy. Bob grew up “poor as a church mouse” in inner-city Baltimore. He struggled in school, failed the fifth grade and almost didn’t graduate high school. He credits his service with the U.S. Marine Corps and experience in Vietnam with transforming his life.
A successful business woman in her own right, Renee’s experiences also guide her philanthropy. Starting with her first job at age 13 working in her family’s restaurant, she learned the value of serving others at an early age. With a professional career in sales and marketing, Renee joined GoDaddy as the corporate events planner and VP of community outreach, leading GoDaddy’s philanthropic work worldwide. Today, in addition to her work with the Foundation, Renee is the President & Executive Creative Director of PXG Apparel and active in managing expansion and events at Scottsdale National Golf Club. She is most passionate about supporting causes focused on women, children and education and is a member of Women Moving Millions, a global philanthropic community of people committed to large-scale investment in women and girls.
Believing that the work they do through their philanthropy is the most important, Bob and Renee signed the Giving Pledge in December 2013, making a public declaration to give away at least half their net worth.
Our history.
February 1, 2012
The Beginning
The Foundation opens its doors
February 2012
Emergency Response in Haiti
$2.5M in disaster relief in response to Haiti’s earthquake
September 2012
Supporting Veterans
$1M to provide assistance to critically ill and injured veterans
October 2012
Fighting Homelessness
$5M to provide shelter to homeless families
April 2013
Hope for Youth
$1.5M for children with life threatening medical conditions
April 2013
Prioritizing Education
Increasing quality pre-K educational opportunities for kids in South Phoenix
May 2013
Launch of HIV/AIDS Efforts
$4M toward the fight to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic
December 2013
Signed The Giving Pledge
July 2014
Providing Medical Care to the Poor
$2M to create a new health clinic for homeless
October 2014
Increasing Access to Dental Care
Grand opening of dental clinic to serve thousands of uninsured children
December 2014
Supporting DREAMers
$1M for college scholarships to undocumented students with DACA status
Summer 2015
Protecting Youth
$4M to open a new youth center for kids in central Phoenix
July 2015
Youth Opportunity
Increase opportunities for disconnected youth with launch of new nonprofit in Phoenix
August 2015
Investment in Girls
$5M to create a new Leadership Center for Girls & Women
November 2015
Veteran Commitment
$9M in matching funds to support wounded Veterans
April 2016
Supporting LGBTQ Youth
Building on our commitment for LGBTQ youth through homeless youth housing & supportive services
October 2016
Commitment to Improving LIves of Veterans with PTSD
$1M dedicated to improving veteran wellness
January 2017
Double Down for Veterans
$10M in matching funds to support wounded Veterans
February 2017
5 years of giving
March 2017
TECHNOLOGY & MEDICINE
$4M to launch telemedicine program for Parkinson’s patients who lack mobility
June 2017
ART AS THERAPY
$2M to create a Center for Hope & Healing for foster & homeless youth
January 2018
MATCH CAMPAIGN FOR VETERANS
Over $20M raised for wounded veterans through the Double Down for Veterans Campaign
May 2018
EDUCATION FOR FOSTER YOUTH
Improve education outcomes and high school graduation rates for youth in foster care
October 2018
Supporting Military Families
Recognizing the sacrifices of military families and the unique challenges they face
March 2019
Parsons Scholars
Making college attainable for underserved youth
May 2019
Stepping up for First Responders
$3.6M multi-year commitment to First Responder safety, wellbeing & financial assistance in times of trauma
July 2019
Inspiring Hope in Children
$1M in support of children with life-threatening medical conditions
December 2019
Tranquil healing for infants
Providing a quiet and serene place for opioid-addicted infants to heal
February 2020
Reaching Educational Attainment
$5M to establish the Bob Parsons Scholarship Fund
August 2020
Healing Treatment Resistant PTSD
Supporting phase 3 clinical trials of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy
December 2020
Innovating Education
$2M to innovate math & science for AZ students
June 2021
Creating Inclusive Environments for LGBTQ Students
$1.5M to support AZ schools in becoming more inclusive
August 2021
Breakthrough Partnership with Veterans Administration
Paving the way for veterans to access MDMA-assisted psychotherapy