Over 30 years ago, Andre Agassi stepped on the world stage of tennis and have never look became known to the world and the world of tennis. At the age of 16 many saw there was something special about him. While many may have predicted his greatness on the court none could predict what the 9th grade drop out would do off the court.
Andre Agassi is often regarded as one of the most charitable athletes in professional tennis, and commonly cited among the most charitable athletes of his generation. The Andre Agassi Charitable Association, founded in 1994, is an educational organization dedicated to transforming U.S. public education for underserved youth. The foundation’s mission statement is described as driving reform by engaging in practice, policy and partnerships that provide quality education and enrichment opportunities. His foundation also provided a $720,000 assist in the building of the Andre Agassi Cottage for Medically Fragile Children, a 20-bed facility that opened in December 2001 and accommodates developmentally delayed or handicapped children, as well as children quarantined for infectious diseases. The foundation also formed a partnership with V20 Foods, to launch “Box Buddies” — a line of kids’ healthy snacks — in September of 2013. The foundation also helped found Child Haven, a residential facility for abused and neglected children. In 1997, Agassi donated funding to Child Haven, which led to the development of a six-room classroom building that’s now named the Agassi Center for Education.
In addition to his work through his foundation, he donated $35 million to help open the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, a tuition-free charter school for at-risk children in the Las Vegas area. He also joined several other athletes to help found Athletes For Hope, an organization designed to help professional athletes get involved in charitable causes. He has also contributed to Hearts of Gold, Jeff Gordon Children’s Foundation, the Small Steps Project, The Miami Project, and the Tony Hawk Foundation.
Agassi was awarded the ATP Arthur Ashe Humanitarian award in 1995 for his efforts to help disadvantaged youth.