The PGA Tour revealed on February 24, 2026, the charities benefiting from Brooks Koepka's $5 million donation, required under his return via the Returning Member Program. The allocation includes $1 million to the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation and $1.5 million split among ten other organizations. The remaining $2.5 million will support causes chosen by eligible PGA Tour members.
Brooks Koepka, who left LIV Golf after four seasons and rejoined the PGA Tour in January 2026 through the Returning Member Program, agreed to a $5 million charitable contribution as a key condition of his suspension-free return. The PGA Tour announced the donation's recipients on February 24, 2026, coinciding with Koepka's participation in the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches, his hometown event.
Of the total, $1 million goes to the Nicklaus Children’s Health Care Foundation, founded by Jack Nicklaus to treat childhood illnesses and the primary beneficiary of the Cognizant Classic. This foundation has raised millions through PGA Tour events like the Cognizant Classic and the Memorial Tournament.
An additional $1.5 million is divided equally among ten charities selected by Koepka and approved by the PGA Tour: ALS Bridge Foundation, which accelerates ALS research and was founded by former Acushnet executive Peter Broome after his August 2024 diagnosis; Baby Quest Foundation, aiding families with IVF costs; Best Buddies, supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities; Hannah’s Home of South Florida, providing housing for pregnant women; Pageant of Hope, founded by Koepka’s wife Jena Sims to empower children with special needs; Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Foundation, assisting underprivileged children and public safety; Quantum House, offering lodging for families of ill children in Palm Beach County; St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; The Thomas Healy Hambric Foundation – Beyond the Spectrum, supporting autism initiatives and linked to Koepka’s agency; and UnLIMBited Foundation, aiding families of children undergoing limb surgeries.
The final $2.5 million will be equally distributed to approved charities chosen by eligible PGA Tour members, with selections and vetting ongoing. Funds will be disbursed via PGA Tour Charities, Inc.
Koepka faces penalties including five years of ineligibility for the Player Equity Program and no FedExCup Bonus in 2026. He has made two starts this season, tying for 56th at the Farmers Insurance Open and missing the cut at the WM Phoenix Open. This marks his eighth appearance at the Cognizant Classic, where his best finish was a tie for second in 2019.
Some fans have questioned the terms of Koepka's return, viewing the donation as a mild penalty compared to standard qualifying paths, while others see it as a positive for charities and the tour's competitiveness.
