MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation
The MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation (YDF) is a joint initiative of Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association. Based in New York, New York, it supports efforts to improve the caliber, effectiveness, and availability of amateur baseball and softball programs in the United States and internationally.
MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation at a glance
In short: MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation gave $1.7M across 17 grants in 2024 (avg $100K), top state Mississippi. 82% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $1,708,222
- -13.0% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 17
- -26.1% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $100,484
- +17.7% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $10,000
- Total assets
- $9,564,185
- -27.1% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 82% first-time grantees (14 of 17, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Mississippi (29% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2024; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- Yes
- How to Apply
-
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Applicants are instructed to submit an LOI consisting of an information form, an introductory letter, and a budget proposal. The filing states that submissions are accepted on a rolling basis, while the grant-program page says applications are currently not being accepted.
- Review Cycle
- The filing states that LOIs are accepted throughout the year with no deadlines.
- Deadline
- The filing states that LOIs are accepted throughout the year with no deadlines.
- Contact
Application contact: Mlb-Mlbpa Ydf
Mailing address: 1271 Avenue Of The Americas, New York, NY 10020
Phone: (212) 931-7800
Email: ydf@mlb.com
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
1 open opportunity from MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation
Who MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was But God Ministries ($500K). Together the top 10 received $1.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
100 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 72 grants of 100 (72%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
YDF describes its grant program as supporting amateur baseball and softball efforts across the United States and internationally. In 2024, its grant dollars were reported across recipient states including Mississippi (29%), North Carolina (29%), Alaska (15%), and New York (15%); Louisiana accounted for 3%.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 17 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation open to new grantees?
82%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 14 of 17 grantees (82%) were first-time recipients. With only 17 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 6 points. First grants averaged $65K; repeat grants $267K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $250K repeat.
- 18% of 2024 grantees were also funded in 2023. Method
- Giving grew 53% from 2021 to 2024. Method
- In 2024 it paid out 902% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $583K (2022) to $2.0M (2023). In 2024 it made 17 grants totaling $1.7M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| But God Ministries Madison, MS | General Operating Support | $500,000 |
| Negro leagues Family Alliance Rocky Mount, NC | General Operating Support | $500,000 |
| Gamers Sports Travel Anchorage, AK | General Operating Support | $250,000 |
| New York City Police Foundation New York, NY | General Operating Support | $250,000 |
| Caddo Parish Commission Shreveport, LA | General Operating Support | $50,000 |
| Pitch In For Baseball & Softball Warminster, PA | General Operating Support | $50,000 |
| Town of Otis Otis, CO | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
| UMPS Care Charities Edgewater, MD | General Operating Support | $25,000 |
| City of Smithers Smithers, WV | General Operating Support | $10,000 |
| Southside Youth Development Inc Chattanooga, TN | General Operating Support | $10,000 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The foundation’s filing type is Form 990-PF (a private foundation).
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $9,564,185 | $1,852,928 | $4,983,134 | $1,708,222 | 17 | $5,040,037 | $1,134,519 | $558,615 |
| 2023 | $13,113,054 | $1,367,288 | $5,520,950 | $1,963,626 | 23 | $5,232,926 | $427,401 | $866,808 |
| 2022 | $18,464,251 | $636,019 | $3,013,209 | $583,027 | 15 | $3,105,388 | $162,167 | $1,145,594 |
| 2021 | $18,472,845 | $3,947,682 | $3,057,266 | $1,112,997 | 27 | $2,907,117 | $26,610 | $935,330 |
| 2020 | $16,286,587 | $3,843,126 | $1,556,848 | $950,277 | 18 | — | $66,595 | — |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation reported a distributable amount of $559K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
YDF’s stated focus is improving amateur baseball and softball programs. Its grant program lists capital projects such as field lighting, renovations, and construction; program support such as equipment, uniforms, coach training, background checks, umpire fees, player registration, facility rental, and field maintenance; and education initiatives using baseball or softball as their primary focus.
Its 2024 grants included organizations with varied missions. But God Ministries, which received $500,000, says it builds sustainable communities and provides medical care to low-income U.S. households. Gamers Sports Travel, which received $250,000, describes its work as developing fundamental skills for Alaska youth ball players. The New York City Police Foundation, which received $250,000, says it supports programs to prevent violent crime, strengthen relationships between the NYPD and community members—including youth—and enhance NYPD wellness and training. UMPS Care Charities, which received $25,000, says its youth programs provide baseball experiences for at-risk youth, children coping with serious illness, and military families.
Grantmaking
In 2024, YDF reported 17 grants totaling $1,708,222. Grant amounts ranged from $2,500 to $500,000, with a median grant of $10,000. The largest awards listed were $500,000 each to But God Ministries and Negro Leagues Family Alliance; $250,000 each to Gamers Sports Travel and the New York City Police Foundation; and $50,000 each to Caddo Parish Commission and Pitch In For Baseball & Softball. The listed purposes for these grants were general operating support.
The foundation states that it does not restrict giving to preselected organizations. Its filing describes an application process based on a letter of inquiry (LOI) with three parts: an information form, an introductory letter, and a budget proposal. The filing says LOIs are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year with no deadlines. The grant-program page also states that the foundation is no longer accepting applications; prospective applicants should note this alongside the filing’s LOI instructions.
YDF does not support field and lighting capital projects unless at least 50% of project funding is secured; annual operating expenses, including fundraising, salaries, administrative costs, and other listed overhead; travel teams except programs supporting low-income youth players; restroom, concession stand, or classroom construction; capital projects and uniforms for schools; or individual player scholarships or sponsorships.
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation is led by Jean Lee Batrus, Executive Director Term since 2024 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 13 officers listed in 2024 is compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jean Lee Batrus
Executive Director Term
Executive Director → Executive Director Term, 2024
On filings since 2020
40 hrs/week
$282K (2020) → $358K (2024)
Leonor Colon
Director, Co-Chair & Co-President
Co-Chair & Co-President → Director, Co-Chair & Co-President, 2021
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tony Reagins
Director, Co-Chair & Co-President
Vice President & Assistant Secretary → Director, Co-Chair & Co-President, 2022
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dave Winfield
Director
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Fannell
Director, Vice President & Assistant Treasurer
Vice President & Assistant Treasurer → Director, Vice President & Assistant Tresurer, 2022
Director, Vice President & Assistant Tresurer → Director, Vice President & Assistant Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
David James
Director
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Capuano
Director & Vice President
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ed Weber
Director & Vice President Term
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Pat Houlihan
Director, Vice President & Assistant Secretary
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Christopher Brumm
Secretary
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Diana Braverman
Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kasey Sanossian
Assistant Treasurer
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Julia Gaffin Vogel
Assistant Secretary
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (10)
- Former: Jeffrey Hammonds (2020–2023) — Director & Vice President Term
- Former: Paul Mifsud (2020–2023) — Director & Vice President
- Former: Xavier James (2020–2023) — Non-Voting Director
- Former: Barbara McHugh (2021–2023) — Director, Vice President & Assisant Secretary
- Former: Karin Timpone (2022–2023) — Non-Voting Director
- Former: Christopher Marinak (2022) — Director, Co-Chair & Co-President Term
- Former: Chris Marinak (2020–2021) — Director, Co-Chair & Co-President
- Former: john mchale (2020) — Director
- Former: julia gaffin (2020) — Assistant Secretary
- Former: Kim Ng (2020) — Non-Voting Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $358K, to Jean Lee Batrus (Executive Director term end 10/2024).
Frequently asked questions about MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation
How much does MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation give each year?
MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation gave $1.7M across 17 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2023 it gave $2.0M across 23 grants.
What is MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation's typical grant size?
MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $10,000, and its average grant was $100,484, across 17 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation that year got $65K on average.
Where does MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation give grants?
MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation's top state is Mississippi, with 29% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. The next largest states were North Carolina (29%) and Alaska (15%).
Does MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (17 of 17) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF.
Who are MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation's largest grantees?
MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include But God Ministries ($500,000), Negro leagues Family Alliance ($500,000) and Gamers Sports Travel ($250,000), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 73% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation?
MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation reported $9.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $5.0M in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $559K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation fund?
YDF’s stated focus is improving amateur baseball and softball programs. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation?
The foundation accepts unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation's EIN?
MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 81-1328663. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Does MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
Yes, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(2)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 12, 2021)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation funds
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/mlb-mlbpa-youth-development-foundation-morg_21336aa3d2b440969dbe310c850e23cf
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_811328663_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/mlb-mlbpa-youth-development-foundation-morg_21336aa3d2b440969dbe310c850e23cf},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-20. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?