Nearly $8 million for 14th Grand Slam for Children
Engelstad Family Foundation Makes a Separate $7.5 Million Commitment
Changes to Name, Logo and Website Reflect Foundation’s New Educational Focus
The Andre Agassi Foundation for Education (AAFE) raised nearly $8 million at the 14th Grand Slam for Children benefit concert and separately announced it has received a commitment of $7.5 million, spread over five years, from the Engelstad Family Foundation.
Held Saturday, September 26, the Grand Slam featured a star-studded lineup of performers at Wynn Las Vegas, including Lionel Richie, Tim McGraw, Dane Cook, Daughtry, Brian McKnight, Macy Gray, Frank Caliendo and Charice Pempengco, under the musical direction of David Foster. “America’s Got Talent” winner Terry Fator also performed at a pre-Grand Slam show on Friday, September 25. Saturday’s concert featured two surprise duets by Daughtry vocalist Chris Daughtry with McGraw and Cook.
In Andre´s speech at the Grand Slam, he unveiled the new name of his foundation, a redesigned logo and website that will collectively emphasize its newly refocused mission to transform education for underserved children. The AAFE’s signature project is the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, a Las Vegas public charter school founded in 2001. From the speech:
DID YOU KNOW that the high school graduation rate in this country is just 69 percent? And that in Nevada it’s just 47? And did you also know at Agassi Prep 100 percent of our seniors graduated this year?
Under roaring applause he introduced the “Sponsor Our Students Campaign at Agassi Prep which seeks to close the gap between Nevada’s inadequate per-student funding, which ranks 49th in the U.S.. Due to the generosity of the Engelstad family, who has agreed to match all 600 student sponsorships for the next five years, 267 students will be fully sponsored for the first year of high-school, and an additional 435 will be sponsored for portions of the next four years.
“I am blown away by the tremendous support we have gotten this year at the Grand Slam,” Andre Agassi said. “From the incredible group of artists who gave their time and talents to the generosity of the Engelstad Family Foundation and all of our supporters, this is a shining moment for us. I am also proud to be introducing our new name, logo and Website, which will more effectively spread the word about our educational mission.”
The event closed by an energetic performance by Lionel Richie who got the audience dancing.
For more information or to support AAFE, which formerly was called the Andre Agassi Foundation, visit www.agassifoundation.org.
Dear steffi, i found an error while registering your site.
i tried many times,but it says error in image validation even i typed correctly.so that fix this problem with your web master.
Thanking you,
http://s-m-graf.blogspot.com
Thanks for your note on this Chairpersons. I have forwarded the issue to the programmers and a fix should be in the works.
The two little kids in the photo are so very cute! I’m very happy for Andre and his foundation (and you) that the fundraiser was so successful. I still have to make time and send my little donation by snail mail (wish I could afford that $50,000 trip with you and Dre…oh, well…I’ll settle for Andre’s upcoming book).
As I’ve written before, I truly admire what you and your husband care about — from family (especially family!!!) to education to breast health to the emotional needs of young victims of war. Being human beings I’m sure both you and Andre have your own problems, but I still consider you two to be positive role models (a compliment that I rarely give).
Bravo Stefanie! another great round of good work
i say only Great
I wrote above that I consider both Stefanie and Andre to be respected role models. I’ve thought about that written comment since reading about Andre’s honest biography “reveals” (and some of the negative publicity surrounding them). I stand by my comments.
Yeah, it is disappointing that Andre lied about his drug use in 1997 to save his tennis career, but right or wrong, we’ve all had moments were we acted and reacted in ways that we’re not proud of. I can’t cast stones at another person for being human — failings along with the beautiful and caring side! I’m human, too, and full of failings. So, no stones will ever be cast from this LA girl!
Also, Andre’s experiences can help others. Second chances ARE possible. Change is possible. For most people, it will be a tough road, still don’t give up. “When a door closes…and window opens…”
Once again, I tip my hat to you both, and yes, I’m still up for that donation to a future political campaign.
I truly admire Steffi Graf – that is why she is my woman of the week: http://www.delamina.com/content/tips-info-links/nuggets/november-25-2009-because-every-child-needs-a-champion/
Muy bien la fundacion, steffi eres ejemplo de perfeccion en el juego y ahora tambien en este tipo de acciones…Felicidades
steffi eres la mejor de todos los tiempos…
hi Stefanie Maria graf
how are you …….
well this my first comment to you , I am also one of those how knows you when you become a player i can say its about 1988.
you was and you are the only one player i like.
after long long time i found that website where i can contact you. i must say after retairment you make yourself alive i am happy about you.
best regards
stay happy with your family always and best of luck
Hi Steffi,
I truely think your foundation is making a positive change.
Is there anything one can do to participate actively and help?
Kinde regards,
Jens