MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation Grant Program

_Currently, the Foundation is no longer accepting applications. Please revisit this site at a future date for more information._

Baseball Tomorrow Fund History

During the 1999 World Series, the MLB and MLBPA announced its $10 million commitment that began the Baseball Tomorrow Fund. For nearly 20 years, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund supported field lighting, field renovation, players equipment and uniform projects.

In 2018, the Baseball Tomorrow Fund joined the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation to broaden efforts to increase participation in and expand access to baseball and softball. Currently all grantmaking activities are operated by the MLB-MLBPA Youth Development. There are no longer grants provided by the Baseball Tomorrow Fund.

MLB-MLBPA Youth Development Foundation (YDF) is a joint initiative by MLB and MLBPA to support efforts that focus on improving the caliber, effectiveness and availability of amateur baseball and softball programs across the United States and internationally.

Capital Projects

* Field lighting, renovations, and construction.

Baseball And Softball Programs

* Players and infrastructure equipment, uniforms, coaches training, background check fees, umpire fees, player registration fees, facility rental fees and field maintenance.

Education Initiatives

* Programs, exhibits and other learning opportunities that use baseball and softball as its primary focus to promote interest and engagement in the game.

Public Schools

* Up to $5,000 for players and infrastructure equipment. This rule also applies for public school booster clubs.

Eligibility

_You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website._

* Eligibility Criteria: Applicants are evaluated to determine their effectiveness at increasing participation in and expanding access to youth baseball and softball. The Foundation seeks to fund organizations with the following characteristics:

* Bold, innovative and creative ideas to increase opportunities for youth (20 and under), in particular youth who are minorities, girls and/or located in underserved communities.
* Strong sense of mission and ability to accomplish that mission.
* Related experience and/or a proven track record.
* Committed leadership and a dedicated staff.
* Understanding and knowledge of the community and population served.
* Financial stability for sustainability.
* Business plan to attract other funders and proven co-funding from other sources.
* Belief in community development through the games of youth baseball and softball.
* Use of youth baseball and softball to help underserved youth succeed beyond the field.

Ineligibility

* Field and lighting capital projects with less than 50% of the project funding secured
* Annual operating expenses including, but not limited to, fundraising costs, salaries, fringe benefits, insurance costs, administrative expenses, membership dues, advertising and promotional expenses, bank charges, audit expenses, and other third-party overhead costs
* Travel teams, except programs supporting low-income youth players
* Restroom, concession stand, and classroom construction
* Individual player scholarships or sponsorships
* Capital projects and uniforms for public schools and public school booster clubs
* Private schools, colleges, universities, and booster clubs supporting teams from these types of organizations