The Red Sox Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $7,011,543 (2023)
• Decision Time: 6-8 weeks
• Grant Range: $1,000 - $10,000 (typical programmatic grants)
• Geographic Focus: All six New England states (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT) and Lee County, Florida
• Charity Navigator Rating: 4/4 Stars (95% score)
• Total Grants Since 2002: Over 6,000 grants to 2,700+ nonprofits

Contact Details

Address: The Red Sox Foundation, 4 Jersey Street, Boston, MA 02215 (Fenway Park)

Phone: 617-226-6000

Email: redsoxfoundation@redsox.com / giving@redsox.com (for grant inquiries)

Website: www.redsoxfoundation.org

Application Portal: DonationX platform (accessible through website)

Overview

The Red Sox Foundation Inc (EIN: 33-1007984) is the official charity of the Boston Red Sox, established in 2002 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Foundation has invested over $120 million into communities across New England and Lee County, Florida, supporting more than 2,700 mission-aligned nonprofit organizations over its 20+ year history. The Foundation operates with 14 full-time employees based at Fenway Park. Executive Director Bekah Salwasser, who also serves as Executive Vice President of Social Impact for the Boston Red Sox, has led the organization since 2018. The Foundation earned a 4-star rating (95% score) from Charity Navigator, reflecting its strong financial health and commitment to accountability. In 2023 alone, the Foundation distributed over $7 million in grants, supporting organizations in health, education, and recreation. The Foundation's major partnerships include raising over $190 million for cancer research through The Jimmy Fund, supporting 50,000+ veterans through the Home Base Program, and championing The Dimock Center in Roxbury.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Programmatic Grants: $1,000 - $10,000
Core grant program providing financial support to nonprofits aligned with the Foundation's mission pillars of health, education, and recreation. Applications reviewed monthly through DonationX online portal on a rolling basis.

Event Sponsorship: $1,000 - $10,000
Support for nonprofit events including both financial sponsorship and in-kind donations for auctions. Applications must be submitted at least 60 days prior to event date. Sponsorships exceeding $10,000 are by invitation only.

IMPACT Awards: $3,000 - $30,000
Annual competitive awards program presented by the Manning Family Foundation. Since 2015, has distributed over $800,000 to New England nonprofits. Awards $15,000, $5,000, and $3,000 to top three nonprofits in each of six New England states, plus an additional $15,000 to the regional champion selected by fan voting. Focus area changes annually (2025 focus: Type 1 Diabetes).

Red Sox Scholars: $10,000 per student
Annual scholarship program awarding $10,000 to 12 Boston 7th graders, including mentorship and academic, professional, and social support through college.

New England Service Scholarships: $1,000 per student
Recognizes graduating high school seniors across New England making meaningful impact through community service.

Lee County Red Sox Scholarships: $5,000 per student
Annual scholarships for 16 Southwest Florida students, reflecting the Foundation's commitment to communities near Red Sox spring training facilities.

Priority Areas

Health: Support for organizations addressing physical and mental health needs, including cancer research, veteran mental health services, and community health centers.

Education: Programs promoting academic success, college access, educational opportunities, and youth development.

Recreation: Youth sports programs, particularly baseball and softball leagues, and recreational opportunities for underserved communities. The Nike RBI & Jr. RBI Leagues annually provide equipment, uniforms, field access, and umpires to 2,000+ youth ages 5-18 in Boston, Chelsea, and Lawrence at no cost.

Social Services: Organizations serving families and communities in need, particularly those supporting veterans, children, and families facing challenges.

What They Don't Fund

• Capital campaigns or endowments
• Field refurbishments
• Tournament fees and travel expenses
• Political organizations
• Religious organizations (for religious purposes)
• Individual persons
• School parent organizations
• Organizations serving populations outside New England and Lee County, FL
• Non-501(c)(3) organizations
• Second requests within the same calendar year from previously funded organizations

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

Bekah Salwasser - Executive Director, Red Sox Foundation and Executive Vice President, Social Impact, Boston Red Sox (since January 2018)

On her role: "I am extremely excited about this next chapter with the Boston Red Sox as it represents the club's commitment to improving our impact in the social justice space. This promotion is a reflection of the progress and passion of our leadership, our Social Justice Advisory Committee, and all our employees joining us on this important journey."

On her leadership philosophy: "Know how to pivot gracefully! With so much uncertainty, it's imperative that you can effectively and creatively – and convincingly – adjust and readjust with whatever is thrown at you."

Board of Directors

Chairman: Tom Werner

Board Members: Linda Henry, Maverick Carter, Chad Gifford, Sean McGrail, Bridget Terry Long, Linda Whitlock, Corey Thomas (CEO, Rapid7), Katie Burke (Chief People Officer, HubSpot), and Jill Shah.

Red Sox President & CEO Sam Kennedy on Bekah Salwasser's leadership: "Bekah's leadership has played a pivotal role within part of the Red Sox family for the past three years through her successful work with the Red Sox Foundation."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Eligibility Requirements:

• Must be a registered 501(c)(3) organization
• Located within New England (all six states) or Lee County, Florida
• Mission must align with at least one Foundation pillar: Health, Education, or Recreation

Application Method: All applications must be submitted through the DonationX online platform, accessible via the Red Sox Foundation website (www.redsoxfoundation.org/giving).

Application Components:

• Organization's 501(c)(3) documentation
• Program or event details
• Budget information
• Optional field for internal referrals

Pre-Application Requirements: Applications for event sponsorship must be submitted at least 60 days prior to the event date.

Decision Timeline

Review Process: Grant applications are reviewed by an internal charitable giving committee that meets monthly.

Notification Timeline: Funding requests are generally responded to within 6-8 weeks from submission. All applicants are automatically notified via the DonationX platform once decisions are made.

Payment Timeline: Grant payments are made following notification of approval. The payment process typically takes about 6 weeks from the date of approval. Organizations should contact giving@redsox.com if payment has not been received after this timeframe.

Site Visits: Most applications do not require a meeting or site visit with the Foundation, however, select applications may require additional information and those organizations will be contacted directly.

Success Rates

Grant Volume:

• 2023: 58 awards
• 2022: 70 awards
• 2021: 36 awards

While specific success rates are not publicly disclosed, the Foundation acknowledges that "given the volume of requests, the Foundation is unable to support each request and must often rotate support of individual non-profits year over year." Since 2002, they have supported over 2,700 organizations, indicating selective but consistent grantmaking.

Reapplication Policy

Annual Applications: Organizations can apply once per calendar year. If an organization has already received a grant within the calendar year, they are not eligible for a second round of funding.

Unsuccessful Applicants: Organizations whose applications are denied may reapply in subsequent calendar years. There is no waiting period for reapplication. The Foundation evaluates applications annually and rotates support among nonprofits, so a denial does not preclude future funding.

Application Success Factors

Mission Alignment is Critical: The Foundation explicitly seeks organizations whose missions align with their three pillars: health, education, and recreation. Applications should clearly demonstrate how programs support one or more of these areas.

Geographic Eligibility: Only organizations serving populations within the six New England states or Lee County, Florida will be considered. Applications from outside these areas will not be approved.

New England Community Focus: The Foundation prioritizes organizations serving children, families, veterans, and communities in need. Programs should demonstrate direct impact on these populations.

Strong Connection to Baseball/Red Sox Community: While not required, organizations with connections to baseball, youth sports, or the Red Sox community may find natural alignment with Foundation priorities. The Foundation's support of youth baseball/softball through RBI leagues demonstrates this commitment.

Rotating Support Model: The Foundation notes they "must often rotate support of individual non-profits year over year," suggesting that even successful applicants may not receive funding every year. Frame applications as if applying for the first time, even if previously funded.

Complete Applications: Ensure all required documentation, particularly 501(c)(3) status verification, is included. Incomplete applications will delay the review process.

Realistic Funding Requests: The Foundation states their programmatic grants typically range from $1,000 to $10,000. Applications requesting amounts within this range are more likely to be approved. Requests exceeding $10,000 are by invitation only.

Event Sponsorship Timing: For event sponsorships, submit applications at least 60 days before the event date to allow adequate review time.

No Political or Religious Activity: Applications must clearly demonstrate that funding will not support political or religious activities, as these are explicitly excluded from Foundation support.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Apply early and plan ahead: With 6-8 week decision timelines and additional payment processing time, factor in at least 3-4 months between application and receiving funds for program implementation.

• Only one shot per year: Organizations can only receive funding once per calendar year, so carefully consider timing and which program/project to submit for maximum impact.

• Mission alignment is non-negotiable: Applications must clearly demonstrate alignment with health, education, or recreation priorities. Generic community benefit statements won't suffice—be specific about how your work advances these pillars.

• Geographic restrictions are strict: If your organization serves populations outside New England and Lee County, FL, do not apply. The Foundation cannot fund work outside these areas regardless of mission alignment.

• Keep requests between $1,000-$10,000: This is the sweet spot for programmatic grants. Larger requests ($10,000+) are by invitation only, suggesting existing relationships or strategic partnerships are required.

• Use the DonationX platform: All applications must go through this online system. Familiarize yourself with the platform before the application deadline to avoid technical issues.

• Consider the IMPACT Awards: If your organization works in an area aligned with the annual IMPACT Awards focus (changes yearly), this competitive program offers larger grants ($3,000-$30,000) and valuable public recognition through fan voting.

• Leverage internal connections if available: The application includes a field for internal referrals, suggesting that connections within the Red Sox organization or Foundation network may strengthen applications.

References

1. GuideStar Profile - The Red Sox Foundation Inc. https://www.guidestar.org/profile/33-1007984 (Accessed March 3, 2026)

2. Charity Navigator - Rating for The Red Sox Foundation Inc. https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/331007984 (Accessed March 3, 2026)

3. Red Sox Foundation Official Website - Our Mission. https://www.redsoxfoundation.org/our-mission/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)

4. Red Sox Foundation - About Us. https://www.mlb.com/redsox/community/red-sox-foundation/about (Accessed March 3, 2026)

5. Red Sox Foundation - Giving. https://www.redsoxfoundation.org/giving/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)

6. Red Sox Foundation - Giving FAQ. https://www.redsoxfoundation.org/giving/giving-faq/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)

7. Red Sox Foundation - 2021 Grant Recipients. https://www.redsoxfoundation.org/2021-grant-recipients/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)

8. Red Sox Foundation - IMPACT Awards. https://www.mlb.com/redsox/community/red-sox-foundation/impact-awards (Accessed March 3, 2026)

9. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Red Sox Foundation Inc. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/331007984 (Accessed March 3, 2026)

10. Red Sox Foundation - Contact. https://www.redsoxfoundation.org/contact/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)

11. Red Sox Foundation - Our Team. https://www.redsoxfoundation.org/our-team/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)

12. Red Sox Foundation Announcement - Red Sox Promote Bekah Salwasser to Executive Vice President, Social Impact. https://www.redsoxfoundation.org/uncategorized/red-sox-promote-bekah-salwasser-to-executive-vice-president-social-impact/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)

13. Dorchester Reporter - After Red Sox Foundation's 20th, Dot's Salwasser tees up nonprofit's new year. https://www.dotnews.com/2023/after-red-sox-foundation-s-20th-dot-s-salwasser-tees-nonprofit-s-new (Accessed March 3, 2026)

14. MLB Press Release - Red Sox Foundation 2024 Impact Awards Open for Fan Voting. https://www.mlb.com/press-release/press-release-red-sox-foundation-2024-impact-awards-open-for-fan-voting (Accessed March 3, 2026)

15. Red Sox Foundation - Red Sox Foundation Adds Bridget Terry Long and Jill Shah to its Board of Directors. https://www.redsoxfoundation.org/programming/red-sox-foundation-adds-bridget-terry-long-and-jill-shah-to-its-board-of-directors/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)

16. Red Sox Foundation - Red Sox Foundation Adds Corey Thomas and Katie Burke To Its Board of Directors. https://www.redsoxfoundation.org/uncategorized/red-sox-foundation-adds-corey-thomas-and-katie-burke-to-its-board-of-directors/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)

17. Ruderman Family Foundation Podcast - Season 3, Episode 2: A Conversation with Boston Red Sox Foundation Executive Director Bekah Salwasser. https://rudermanfoundation.org/podcast/season-3-episode-2-a-conversation-with-boston-red-sox-foundation-executive-director-bekah-salwasser/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)

18. CBS Boston - Red Sox Foundation executive director ready to "feel the magic" of Pan-Mass Challenge for first time. https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/pan-mass-challenge-red-sox-foundation-bekah-salwasser/ (Accessed March 3, 2026)