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.

Application Process

The grant application process opens annually, typically beginning in November.

Current Status: The 2026 grant cycle is currently closed. The 2027 grant cycle is in the planning stage and updates will be communicated once plans are finalized.

Application Materials

Specific application form requirements are not detailed in the available website content. Applicants should contact Jessica Gillespie for guidance on grant requests and application procedures.

Required Eligibility

All applicants must meet one or more of the following requirements:

1. The organization contributes to regional economic development
2. The organization is based in Mid-Michigan and serves young people
3. The organization promotes amateur sports and fitness

Key Requirements

• Must be a non-profit organization
• Based in or serving the specified 14-county region in Mid-Michigan
• Project must be a capital project (not day-to-day operations)
• Project must be completed by the end of the calendar year the grant was received
• Organization should demonstrate co-funding or matching support from other sources

For More Information

For guidance with your grant request, contact Jessica Gillespie at gillespie@loons.com or 989.837.6144.