With spring just around the corner, many youth baseball and softball leagues across the nation are gearing up for opening day. If your local diamond needs to get back into playing shape after a long off-season, consider the following funding opportunities to help turn your field of dreams into a reality.
The Baseball Tomorrow Fund seeks to promote and enhance the growth of youth participation in baseball and softball by supporting municipalities, school districts, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations involved in the operation of youth baseball and/or softball programs and facilities. Funding is designed to be flexible to enable applicants to address needs unique to their communities, and may be used to support capital expenditures, including basic field renovations and construction. On average, more than $1.8 million is distributed annually via 55 awards, with an average award amount of approximately $40,000. Check website for current deadlines.
Minnesota Twins Community Fund: Fields for Kids Program
Local government units, schools, and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operate baseball and/or softball programs in the Upper Midwest or in southwest Florida are eligible to apply for awards ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to renovate or construct fields primarily used by youth. Supported renovation projects may include upgrading essential field components, such as new sod, infield, fencing, and dugouts. Check website for current deadlines.
Pirates Charities: Fields for Kids Program
This program is open to independent nonprofit tax-exempt organizations, schools, or local government units that operate youth baseball and/or softball programs within the Pittsburgh Pirates market area, which includes select counties in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. Awards ranging from $1,000 to $25,000 will support the upgrading of facilities and essential field components. Check website for current deadlines.
Royals Charities: Royalty Fields Program
Royals Charities will provide awards averaging $5,000 to $10,000 to support the major renovation of baseball and/or softball facilities used primarily by youth throughout the Midwest region. Funding is available to local government units and 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that operate a youth baseball and/or softball program in Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma, Arkansas, or South Dakota. Check website for current deadlines.
About Brad – Brad Cyran is a Grants Research Analyst at eCivis, Inc., and is particularly interested in how the worlds of grants and sports intersect. Read his previous post about Getting In-Kind Donations from Professional Sports Teams. He can be reached at bcyran@ecivis.com.
“Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good too.”
Yogi Berra
Related Posts
