HOUSTON, TEXAS, April 9, 2014. Today 144 golfers took a swing at ending global poverty by raising $180,000 net in the annual Houston Partnership Golf tournament at the Redstone Club in Houston. The Houston Partnership Golf tournament is an initiative of the Aga Khan Foundation U.S.A. (AKF USA) to raise awareness and funds that reduce poverty, hunger, illiteracy and poor health in Africa and Asia. One hundred percent of all donations and net proceeds from the tournament go directly to projects supported by the AKF USA; not a cent is spent on administration.

The tournament attracted high-level corporate executives, civic leaders and celebrities, including soccer star Michael Chabala from Houston Dynamo, NFL Pro Bowl player Vince Young, and professional golfer Stephen Reed.

An awards luncheon with silent auction followed the tournament, featuring information about the Foundation’s work reducing poverty in some of the world’s most impoverished regions.

“What attracted me to the Aga Khan Foundation was their philanthropic foot print. AKF is truly making an indelible impact in developing nations and around the world. I look forward to being a part of AKF in the future!” said pro golfer Stephen Reed. “Supporting such a wonderful cause is a true pleasure,” said Gordon Reina, Area Retail Sales Manager for AT&T. “The golf tournament is just icing on the cake. The work that the Foundation is doing to help so many people is inspiring.”

With half of the world’s population living on less than $2 per day, golfers participating at this charity tournament help communities in some of the poorest areas of Africa and Asia create long-term, self-help solutions to lift themselves out of poverty. Golfer contributions make a tremendous impact in creating opportunities for girls in Afghanistan to go to school, for farmers in Mali to feed their families, and mothers in India to lead healthy lives.

Partnership Golf tournaments will be held in at least five major U.S. cities this year. Since 1995, PartnershipsInAction activities including the annual Partnership Walk and Golf tournaments have attracted over 440,000 participants and raised over $63 million for poverty alleviation projects supported by AKF USA.

Read the full press release here.