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The Astros Foundation

Annual Giving
$2.2M

The Astros Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $2,182,854 (2023)
  • Number of Grants: 102 grants (2023)
  • Average Grant: $21,401
  • Total Assets: $24.7 million (2024)
  • Geographic Focus: Astros MLB territory (Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and parts of New Mexico)
  • EIN: 74-2793078

Contact Details

Website: https://www.mlb.com/astros/community/foundation/about

Email: foundation@astros.com

Mailing Address: Astros Foundation P.O. Box 288 Houston, TX 77001-0288

Grant Application Portal: Online application available through mlb.com/astros/community/foundation/grant-program

Overview

The Astros Foundation is the official 501(c)(3) team charity of the Houston Astros, established to harness the passion of baseball fans to support community initiatives. With assets totaling $24.7 million as of 2024, the foundation has significantly expanded its impact since its early years, growing from $596,793 in assets in 2011. The foundation awarded 102 grants totaling $2,182,854 in 2023, averaging $21,401 per grant. Under the leadership of owner Jim Crane, the foundation has directed over $60 million into local philanthropic initiatives over 14 years. The foundation's strategic approach focuses on youth development, military recognition, health awareness, and addressing homelessness through both direct grant-making and signature programs including the Community Leaders initiative (an $18 million investment in renovating city-owned public parks), the Astros MLB Youth Academy, and the Astros Nike RBI Program.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

General Grant Program: Online application process for eligible 501(c)(3) organizations within the Astros MLB territory. Average grant size of $21,401, with 102 grants awarded in 2023.

Community Leaders Program: $18 million five-year investment providing newly renovated baseball and softball fields to Houston-area children in city-owned public parks at no cost to taxpayers. Program includes year-round field maintenance, player and coaching clinics, complimentary Astros game tickets, equipment, and special visits from Astros players and front office personnel.

Scholarship Programs: In partnership with Minute Maid, awards 25 college scholarships of $2,500 each to Houston area high school seniors who have participated in youth baseball or softball. Also partners with Daikin on the Most Valuable STEAM Scholarship (application periods vary).

Priority Areas

  • Youth Baseball/Softball: Free instruction, life skills training, and academic support through the Astros MLB Youth Academy and RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities) program
  • Education/Literacy: Academic support programs, mentoring, leadership development, and college application assistance
  • Childhood Cancer: Awareness programs and support for affected families
  • Military and Veterans: Recognition and honor programs for service members
  • Quality of Life/Homelessness: Efforts to reduce homelessness and shelter unhoused families (recent partnership with Salvation Army and New Hope Housing)
  • Domestic Violence: Awareness initiatives and survivor support

What They Don't Fund

  • Individuals or individual fundraisers (even on behalf of charities)
  • Organizations in existence less than 2 years
  • Organizations outside the Astros MLB territory
  • Endowments or reserve funds
  • Annual memberships
  • Political campaigns
  • Conferences or workshops
  • Group or individual trips

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership:

  • Paula Harris, Executive Director (as of 2024)
  • Jared Crane, President
  • Emelda Douglas, Senior Vice President, Community Affairs and Executive Director (noted in earlier materials)
  • Mari Glass, Vice President, Foundation Development
  • Marian Harper, Vice President, Foundation & Community Relations

Owner and Chairman: Jim Crane, who developed the Community Leaders initiative and has overseen the foundation's growth to over $60 million in philanthropic investments over 14 years.

Key Leadership Quotes:

Emelda Douglas on community impact: "By supporting these talented students, we are empowering them to focus their passion and creativity to positively impact our community and beyond."

Jim Crane on the foundation's philosophy: "If you don't have fans, you don't have a team. It's about giving people memories, creating joy, and lifting the community."

Emelda Douglas on the Diamond Dreams Gala: "We are so excited and grateful for the success of the 10th annual Diamond Dreams Gala, presented by Chevron, and everyone coming together in support of the Astros Foundation, new partner Salvation Army and our unhoused neighbors."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through an online grant application form available at mlb.com/astros/community/foundation/grant-program. Organizations can also access the application through the DonationX.org platform.

Pre-Application Requirements:

  • Must be a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt non-profit in good standing with the IRS
  • Organization must be located within the Astros MLB territory (Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and parts of New Mexico)
  • Organization must have been in existence for at least 2 years

Application Method: Online portal with rolling applications

Contact for Questions: foundation@astros.com

Decision Timeline

Specific decision timelines are not publicly disclosed. Organizations should inquire directly with the foundation about expected response times for their particular application.

Success Rates

Based on 2023 data:

  • 102 grants awarded
  • Total grants distributed: $2,182,854
  • Average grant size: $21,401

The foundation has maintained consistent grant-making activity, with 116 awards in 2022 and 102 in 2023, suggesting a competitive but active grant program.

Reapplication Policy

Reapplication policies are not explicitly stated in public materials. Organizations should contact the foundation directly at foundation@astros.com to inquire about reapplication guidelines for previously unsuccessful applicants.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Priority Areas: The foundation has clearly defined focus areas. Applications should demonstrate strong alignment with youth baseball/softball, education/literacy, childhood cancer, military support, or quality of life/homelessness initiatives.

Geographic Eligibility: Ensure your organization operates within the Astros MLB territory (Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and parts of New Mexico). The foundation explicitly limits donations to this region due to high demand.

Organizational Maturity: Organizations must have been in existence for at least 2 years, indicating the foundation values established track record and organizational stability.

Connection to Baseball/Sports: Given the foundation's cornerstone programs (Community Leaders, Youth Academy, RBI), applications that incorporate baseball, softball, or youth sports elements may have strategic advantages.

Community Impact Focus: The foundation emphasizes tangible community outcomes. Emelda Douglas stated the goal is to "reach more children, inspire more athletes, honor more veterans, support more survivors of domestic violence, and shelter more unhoused families."

Partnership Readiness: The Community Leaders program demonstrates the foundation's interest in collaborative initiatives with corporate partners (Calpine, Cheniere, Chevron, ConocoPhillips, and others). Organizations that can demonstrate partnership capacity or corporate engagement may be viewed favorably.

Youth Development Emphasis: Programs providing life skills training, academic support, mentoring, and leadership development align with the foundation's Youth Academy model.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Geographic Boundaries Matter: Verify your organization operates within the five-state Astros MLB territory before applying - this is a firm requirement
  • Two-Year Minimum: Organizations must have 2+ years of operating history; newer nonprofits should wait to apply
  • Average Grant is $21,401: Budget requests should be reasonable relative to this average, though the foundation has capacity for larger investments (as evidenced by the $18 million Community Leaders program)
  • Multiple Focus Areas: The foundation supports diverse causes beyond baseball - don't be deterred if you're not sports-focused, as long as you align with priority areas
  • Corporate Partnership Model: The foundation works extensively with corporate partners; demonstrating similar collaboration capacity could strengthen applications
  • Owner's Personal Commitment: Jim Crane's $60 million investment over 14 years shows deep philanthropic commitment - this is a serious, well-resourced funder
  • Contact Them Directly: With limited public information on timelines and processes, direct communication via foundation@astros.com is advisable for clarification

References

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