“Heart & mind overcomes all.”
Dan Henderson, founder
Our story
Dan Henderson wrestled for the United States at two Olympics, won world titles in PRIDE, and went into the UFC Hall of Fame. He was known for his knockouts and for how he carried himself, calm and hardworking whether he won or lost.
After he retired, Dan noticed that a lot of kids in our own community didn't have much structure or many good role models. He knew where they could find both: on the mats.
So he started The Hendo Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and the foundation pays for kids to train. We find families who can't cover a gym membership and pick up the cost, so money is never the reason a kid stays home. On the mats they learn to show up, take a loss, respect their training partners, and keep going.
The golf tournament, the pig roast, and the bowling tournament pay for that work, along with the veteran charities we choose each year.
$200K+
Raised in September 2026
3
Events every year
5+
Charities supported
The team
Dan Henderson
Founder and president
UFC Hall of Fame, class of 2018. Two-time Olympic wrestler, at Barcelona in 1992 and Atlanta in 1996. PRIDE FC middleweight and welterweight world champion.
Dan started the foundation to put the discipline that carried his career to work for kids and veterans in Temecula. The September 2026 golf tournament weekend alone raised more than $200K.
Selanée Pendleton
Golf tournament director
Selanée is Dan's sister and the founding chair of the Hendo Charity Golf Tournament, the foundation's biggest fundraiser of the year.
She is a PGA Class A Professional and a former LPGA and Epson Tour player, with more than ten years in competitive golf and years of work on pro-ams and charity events.
Greg Brady
Foundation director
Greg runs the foundation day to day: operations, sponsorships, partnerships, fundraising, and the brand. He works with Dan on the youth wrestling and MMA program and on support for veterans and first responders.
He also founded GB Apparel & Design. If you want to sponsor an event, Greg is the person to email.
Brandon Gonzales
Head of digital media
Brandon owns Crowd Capture Media, which has shot video and run marketing for MMA events, gyms, restaurants, and local businesses across Southern California.
For the foundation he handles video, photography, and social media.
Sheila York
Founding board member
Sheila founded and publishes Our Valley Mag, a Temecula magazine about the people and businesses that make up the valley.
She also puts on business events that bring local owners, professionals, and community leaders into the same room.
Where the money has gone
Our events have raised tens of thousands of dollars for the Special Forces Charitable Trust, America's Mighty Warriors, and War Party Ranch. That money has gone to veterans, Gold Star families, warriors in need, and survivors of sexual and domestic violence.
2026 charity selections
Money from the 2026 golf tournament went to two veteran charities.
Support the foundation
We're a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Donations go to free training for kids and to the veterans we support, and are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.