Michigan Baseball Foundation Annual Grant Program

Michigan Baseball Foundation Annual Grant Program

Funder: Michigan Baseball Foundation (MBF), a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation

Geographic Scope: Primary consideration given to non-profit organizations in Mid-Michigan, specifically: Arenac, Bay, Clare, Gladwin, Genesee, Gratiot, Huron, Isabella, Iosco, Midland, Ogemaw, Saginaw, Sanilac, and Tuscola counties. Organizations based in the Great Lakes Bay Region are considered.

Mission: MBF was formed in 2006 to generate regional economic development and enhance efforts of regional organizations that serve young people through creative partnerships and grants.

Funding Priorities

Funding decisions are determined by one or more of the following guidelines:

• Regional Economic Development: The organization contributes to regional economic development
• Youth Services: The organization is based in Mid-Michigan and serves young people
• Sports & Fitness: The funded project promotes amateur sports, fitness, and overall good health

Project Focus

• Capital projects and physical infrastructure improvements
• Baseball and softball-related improvements (youth to college level)
• Community gathering place restoration projects
• Sports and athletic facility enhancements
• Community development initiatives

What MBF Does NOT Fund

• Day-to-day operations or ongoing operational expenses
• Uniforms
• Programs or events
• Scholarships
• Travel expenses
• Perishable goods
• Seasonal or routine maintenance needs (e.g., Diamond Dust, resurfacing of ball fields)
• Projects more appropriately funded by taxpayers or tuition

Funding Preferences

• MBF prefers to see requesting organizations contribute funds directly to the project from their own donors or operations
• MBF prefers not to be the "first-in" or only funding source
• Projects must be completed by the end of the calendar year the grant was received

Impact

• Since founding in 2006, MBF has contributed more than $1.8 million in charitable grants
• 366+ total grants awarded across 14 different counties (as of April 2025)

Contact Information

• Contact: Jessica Gillespie
• Phone: 989.837.6144
• Email: gillespie@loons.com
• General Phone: 989-837-2255
• General Email: info@michiganbaseballfoundation.org
• Address: 825 E. Main St, Midland, MI 48640

Background

MBF owns and operates Dow Diamond, home of the Great Lakes Loons, a Single-A partner of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Foundation received initial funding from The Dow Chemical Company Foundation, The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation, The Dow Corning Corporation, The Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation, The Charles J. Strosacker Foundation, and The Bill and Linda Stavropoulos Foundation.