Home Runs for Heroes Grants

The Home Runs for Heroes Grants program, in collaboration with the Jersey Shore BlueClaws, aims to support veterans and military personnel through charitable donations tied to home runs hit during games. Each charity partner receives $1,000 per home run scored in their assigned inning, with a minimum donation guaranteed. The initiative emphasizes health, housing, quality of life, and youth education, while ensuring compliance with non-discrimination policies and eligibility criteria for non-profit organizations.

Background
Home Runs for Heroes is swinging back into action for its 16th Season! We’re teaming up with the Jersey Shore BlueClaws to honor and provide support to the brave men and women who serve and protect our nation. OceanFirst Foundation’s grant programs are designed to embrace the diversity of the communities we serve.
Funding Priorities
The mission of applicant organizations should also align with one or more of our funding priorities:

• Health and Wellness, Housing, Improving Quality of Life, and Youth Development and Education.
• Grant Awards

Each participating charity is assigned an inning at the beginning of the season. Each home run hit at ShoreTown Ballpark during the season by the Jersey Shore BlueClaws during the charity’s assigned inning scores a $1,000 donation. The total amount awarded to each charity partner will be determined at the conclusion of the season and is based on the total of home runs hit during their assigned inning. For example, if Charity A is assigned the 1st inning and 5 home runs are scored in the 1st inning…$5,000 is donated at the end of the season to Charity A – $1,000 per home run. If no home runs are scored during the charity partner’s assigned inning, a donation of $1,000 will be provided.
Grants awarded must be used to meet the emergency and basic needs of veterans and members of the United States Armed Forces and a Use of Funds report will be required at the conclusion of the grant period.

Eligibility

We consider requests for inclusion in the Home Runs for Heroes Program from nonprofits (501c3) that meet the emergency and basic needs of veterans and members of the United States Armed Forces. Applicants must demonstrate a significant level of service and impact within one or more of the counties in OceanFirst Foundation’s New Jersey footprint. Applicants from outside our footprint must be invited to submit a request. Applicants must demonstrate a significant level of service and impact within one or more of the counties in OceanFirst Foundation’s New Jersey footprint – Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Monmouth, and Ocean.Applicants from outside this primary footprint must be invited to submit a request.

Ineligibility

Organizations that discriminate based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status or other factors protected by law are ineligible for consideration.We cannot provide funding for the following:Athletic teams, athletic events or sports leagues
Individuals
Organizations not exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Exceptions may be made for volunteer fire and first aid squads with 504 (c)(4) status.
Organizations that are not compliant with the State of New Jersey’s charitable registration requirements
Political causes, candidates, organizations or campaigns or organizations designed primarily to lobby
Organizations with programs that are primarily religious in nature, such as faith-based indoctrination, church building campaigns, and general offerings. However, we will consider supporting such organizations provided the programs offered meet a need of the broader community, for example, soup kitchens, homeless shelters and other social service needs