← Back to US Funders Directory

Major League Baseball Charities Inc

Annual Giving
$8.9M
Grant Range
$3K - $1.0M

Major League Baseball Charities Inc

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $8,922,942 (2023)
  • Number of Grants: 125 awards (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: National (United States) with some international support
  • Founded: 1986
  • Charity Navigator Rating: 3 Stars (77%)
  • Application Process: No public application process for MLB Charities Inc specifically

Contact Details

Address: 1271 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020

Phone: (212) 931-7470

Email: communityaffairs@mlb.com (President, MLB Charities)

Related Application Portals:

Overview

Major League Baseball Charities Inc, established in 1986, is the charitable arm of Major League Baseball, operating as a separate 501(c)(3) organization from the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation and individual team foundations. With annual giving of approximately $8.9 million in 2023, MLB Charities supports a broad range of educational, health, and recreational causes with a focus on fostering participation in amateur sports competition. The organization is particularly known for its flagship RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) program, which serves over 110,000 youth participants annually through more than 180 affiliated organizations. MLB Charities operates primarily through programmatic partnerships and affiliated organizations rather than a traditional open grant application process, working with national and local amateur sports organizations, municipalities, Boys & Girls Clubs, and other community-based organizations to promote youth development through baseball and softball.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) Program Support

  • No cost to affiliated organizations
  • Equipment donations for newly affiliated leagues
  • Cash grants for capital improvement, equipment, and capacity building projects
  • Since inception, MLB has designated over $35 million to RBI programs nationally and locally

RBI for RBI Scholarship Fund

  • Up to $5,000 per year for four years (maximum $20,000)
  • Available to up to 12 Nike RBI student-athletes annually
  • Established in 2007 for post-secondary education support

Municipal Park and Recreation Grants

  • Support for constructing, maintaining, and promoting public parks
  • Focus on facilities that encourage amateur baseball and sports participation in local communities

Amateur Sports Organization Support

  • Grants to national, regional, and local organizations
  • Support for programs that develop amateur athletes for local, national, or international competition

Priority Areas

  • Youth Development: Inner-city, urban, and at-risk youth programs
  • Amateur Sports: Baseball and softball development at all levels
  • Education: Scholarship support for student-athletes
  • Community Recreation: Public parks and recreational facilities
  • Health and Wellness: Programs promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyles
  • Diversity and Inclusion: Programs serving underrepresented communities, minorities, and girls in baseball/softball

What They Don't Fund

Based on their stated mission and Form 990 activities, MLB Charities Inc focuses exclusively on amateur sports development, particularly baseball and softball. Organizations outside this scope would not align with their funding priorities.

Governance and Leadership

MLB Charities Inc is governed by a board of directors whose specific members are listed in the organization's Form 990 filings, available through ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer and GuideStar. The organization operates under the broader umbrella of Major League Baseball's organizational structure.

Contact: Inquiries may be directed to the President of MLB Charities at communityaffairs@mlb.com

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Important Note: Major League Baseball Charities Inc does not have a public application process for unsolicited grant requests. The organization primarily makes grants through established programs, partnerships, and affiliations.

Organizations seeking MLB charitable funding should pursue these pathways:

1. MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation (Separate from MLB Charities Inc)

  • Public application available at www.baseballydf.com/apply
  • Rolling basis for capital projects, programs, and education initiatives
  • Grant range: $3,000 to $1 million
  • Has awarded $31.2 million and 315 grants since inception

2. RBI Program Affiliation

  • Contact Nike RBI National Office about program affiliation
  • No affiliation fee
  • Newly affiliated leagues receive equipment donations
  • Access to cash grants for affiliated organizations

3. Individual MLB Team Foundations

  • Each of the 30 MLB teams has its own charitable foundation
  • Most have public application processes with specific geographic focus
  • Examples: Red Sox Foundation, Phillies Charities, White Sox Charities, etc.

4. MLB Together Donation Requests

5. Direct Contact with MLB Charities

Decision Timeline

Not publicly documented for MLB Charities Inc specifically. Decision timelines vary by the specific MLB charitable program or team foundation through which an organization applies.

Success Rates

With 125 grants awarded in 2023 from the thousands of requests MLB entities receive, the success rate for unsolicited requests appears to be very low. Success is more likely through:

  • Existing RBI program affiliation
  • Geographic alignment with specific MLB team foundations
  • Demonstrated track record in youth baseball/softball development

Reapplication Policy

Not publicly documented. Organizations should work with specific MLB programs or team foundations for reapplication guidance.

Application Success Factors

Given that MLB Charities Inc operates primarily through programmatic channels rather than open applications, organizations seeking MLB charitable support should focus on:

1. Program Affiliation Strategy

  • RBI program affiliation provides the clearest pathway to MLB Charities support
  • Affiliated organizations receive equipment, resources, and access to grant opportunities
  • Over 180 organizations currently benefit from RBI affiliation

2. Focus on Underserved Communities

  • MLB Charities prioritizes inner-city, urban, and at-risk youth
  • Programs serving minorities and girls in baseball/softball align with priorities
  • The RBI program specifically targets communities lacking baseball/softball access

3. Baseball/Softball Development Emphasis

  • Clear focus on amateur athlete development
  • Programs that increase participation in baseball and softball
  • Innovative approaches to expanding access to the sports

4. Partnership with Local MLB Teams

  • Individual team foundations have geographic priorities
  • Building relationships with local MLB team community relations staff
  • Attending team foundation events and community programs

5. Demonstrated Impact and Sustainability

  • Track record of serving youth participants
  • Financial stability and organizational capacity
  • Measurable outcomes in youth development

6. Multi-Year Relationship Building

  • MLB charitable giving appears to favor established partnerships
  • Long-term program affiliation more valuable than one-time requests
  • Building relationships through RBI program or team foundations

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • No Direct Public Application: MLB Charities Inc does not accept unsolicited grant applications through a public process. Do not attempt to apply directly for general grants.

  • Use the Right Channel: Apply through the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation (www.baseballydf.com/apply) for the most accessible public MLB grant opportunity, or through individual team foundations based on your geographic location.

  • RBI Affiliation is Key: Organizations serving youth baseball/softball should pursue RBI program affiliation as the primary pathway to MLB Charities resources and support.

  • Geographic Strategy Matters: Identify which MLB team(s) serve your geographic area and focus on their charitable foundation rather than the national MLB Charities entity.

  • Youth Development Focus: All proposals must center on youth development through baseball/softball with emphasis on underserved communities.

  • Understand the Ecosystem: MLB's charitable giving operates through multiple entities (MLB Charities Inc, MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation, 30 team foundations, MLB Players Trust). Research which entity best aligns with your organization.

  • Relationship Building Over Applications: Success comes through program partnerships and long-term relationships rather than grant applications. Invest time in becoming part of the MLB youth baseball/softball ecosystem.

References

🎯 You've done the research. Now write an application they can't refuse.

Hinchilla combines funder's specific priorities with your organisation's past successful grants and AI analysis of what reviewers want to see.

✓

Data privacy and security by default

✓

Your organisation's past successful grants and experience

✓

AI analysis of what reviewers want to see

✓

A compelling draft application in 10 minutes instead of 10 hours

Join the Launch ListLearn More
← Back to US Funders Directory