The MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation (YDF) is a joint initiative between Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association. Established in 2016 and tax-exempt since June 2017, it operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in New York, New York. The foundation is classified as a corporate foundation focused on recreation, sports, leisure, and athletics, specifically baseball and softball.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$9.6M
-27.1% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.7M
-13.0% YoY
Grant Count
17
-26.1% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$100K
+17.7% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation's mission is to improve the caliber, effectiveness, and availability of amateur baseball and softball programs across the United States and internationally. The foundation supports efforts that create economic opportunities, strengthen communities, and build character both on and off the field.
The foundation funds a diverse range of initiatives including:
- Capital Projects: Field renovations and facility improvements
- Program Support: Equipment needs and baseball/softball program funding
- Coach Training and Recognition: Programs aimed at training and recognizing coaches
- Youth Baseball Academies: Grants for youth baseball academy programs
- Community-Based Programs: Programs for players and former players working with youth baseball in their home communities
- Elite Player Development: Programs providing elite player development opportunities to baseball prospects from minority and underserved backgrounds
- Play Ball Initiative: Broader access to Major League Baseball's "Play Ball" initiative, which encourages participation in traditional and casual styles of play
- The Breakthrough Series (BTS): A cost-free showcase and instructional setting for top prospects to display skills for scouts and college recruiters, with industry insight seminars from current and former players and executives
- Major Events: Support for events including the Hank Aaron Invitational and HBCU Swingman Classic
Grantmaking
Based on the most recent financial data available (2023):
Grant Range
s and detailed application procedures are not detailed in available sources.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation supports efforts across the United States and internationally.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total Assets: $13,113,054
- Total Revenues: $1,367,288
- Total Expenses: $5,520,950
- Total Liabilities: $2,210,000
- Number of Employees: 3
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $9,564,185 | $13,113,054 | $18,464,251 |
| Revenue | $1,852,928 | $1,367,288 | $636,019 |
| Expenses | $4,983,134 | $5,520,950 | $3,013,209 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $5,040,037 | $5,232,926 | $3,105,388 |
| Net Investment Income | $1,134,519 | $427,401 | $162,167 |
| Distributable Amount | $558,615 | $866,808 | $1,145,594 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
100 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Ambassador
- Ken Griffey, Jr., Senior Advisor to the Commissioner of Baseball | Hall of Famer
Executive Leadership
- Jean Lee Batrus, Executive Director, MLB-MLBPA
Board of Directors, Co-Presidents
- Leonor Colon, Managing Director, International & Domestic Player Operations, MLBPA
- Tony Reagins, Chief Baseball Development Officer, MLB
Board of Directors
- Chris Capuano, Senior Director, Operations, Business & Strategy, MLBPA
- Jeff Fannell, President, Jeff Fannell & Associates, MLBPA
- Patrick Houlihan, Executive Vice President, Labor Relations, MLB
- David James, Vice President, Baseball & Softball Development, MLB
Additional Staff
- Diana Braverman, Senior Vice President, Controller, MLB
- Chris Brumm, Senior Vice President & Head Counsel, MLB
- Ben Freedman, Senior Coordinator, MLB-MLBPA
- Julia Gaffin, Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, MLB
- Kasey Sanossian, Vice President & Deputy General Counsel, MLB
- Maggie Sullivan, Senior Coordinator, MLB-MLBPA
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
No officer/director data available.
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation announced a $2 million grant to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City, Missouri. The foundation also announced a grant to the Negro Leagues Family Alliance.
MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation announces grant to ...Contact Information
For inquiries, the foundation can be reached at:
- Email: YDF@mlb.com
- Phone: 212.931.7886
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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