“D-backs Give Back”
The Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation distributes funds through Community Grants, Grand Slam Awards, Diamonds Back Field Building, Education Initiatives, Youth Baseball and Outreach programs, and strategic partnerships with key community partners and non-profit organizations. The Diamondbacks foundation has raised $60 million for charitable causes through their events and programs.
ABOUT
The Arizona Diamondbacks foundation has devoted their cause to supporting positive change in Arizona communities. Their foundation was founded in 1997 and since then their primary goals have always been focused on Homelessness, Indigent Healthcare and Children’s Programs, including education and youth baseball and softball field building and renovation, outreach programs and equipment. They have also created programs to support the veterans, police, teachers, and firefighters in the surrounding communities.
GRANT PROGRAMS
Ken Kendrick Grand Slam Award Grants
In honor of the Diamondbacks General Managing Partner Ken Kendrick, the Ken Kendrick Grand Slam Awards were created to make a larger impact on community organizations by providing grants in the amount of $25,000-$100,000. Overall, 90 Ken Kendrick Grand Slam Awards totaling over $7.3 million have been distributed since 2002.
D-backs School Challenge
The Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation partnered with the University of Phoenix to launch the D-backs School Challenge, a statewide grant program that challenged public, private and charter schools to “make their best pitch” for a $5,000 grant. The charitable grants have helped schools from across the state with innovative programs such as activities for special education students, digital sculpting for animation art classes, community gardens, after school fitness classes and much more.
Diamonds Back Field Building Program
Since 2000, the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation has built or refurbished 42 youth baseball and softball fields across Arizona as part of the “Diamonds Back” Field Building Program. The fields feature new lights, an electronic scoreboard, new fencing and backstops, irrigation and new grass and dirt.
YOUTH SPORTS INITIATIVES
D-backs Give Back Youth Jersey Program
Provides at-risk leagues with high-quality jerseys and caps, the D-backs Give Back Youth Jersey Program has offset diminishing resources and allowed participating leagues to reallocate funds toward equipment, registration fees and facility improvements. The program includes 121 leagues across Arizona with more than 68,000 participating youth baseball and softball players.
D-backs Girls Play Ball Program
The Girls Play Ball program was built around the learning of baseball with female empowerment. The program features instruction and unique opportunities for girls’ baseball players. As a part of the program, participants receive a baseball hat, glove, a t-shirt, a participation award or certificate, invitation to celebration and opportunity to win prizes.
Inter-tribal Youth Baseball & Softball Tournament
The Arizona Diamondbacks are the only Major League Baseball team to host a youth baseball and softball tournament for Native American youth. The annual Inter-Tribal Tournament held in June of 2019 hosted more than 1,125 participants, from five states and representing 23 Native American tribes
EDUCATION
Science of Baseball
Launched in 2013, a series of programs and initiatives that promote the importance of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). The program provides a mechanism for elementary and middle school students to improve their academic performance. The goal is to translate the love of baseball into an appreciation, understanding, and passion of the science and mathematics areas of the sport.
Read Your Way to the Ballpark
A K-6 school reading program designed to stimulate interest in reading and literacy while also providing funding for new books in the classroom. Students earn prizes when meeting four different reading goals determined by their teachers. The program also provides participating teachers with $500 grants for new books in the classroom.
Fun At Bat
D-backs Fun At Bat is an entry-level bat and ball program designed for use in elementary physical education classes. The joint initiative from the Arizona Diamondbacks, Major League Baseball and USA Baseball promotes fun and active lifestyles for children while teaching them the fundamental skills of baseball. The program is free for schools and school districts.
Each participating school will receive the following:
- Easy-to-follow curriculum
- Franklin Sports equipment kit
- Championship Principles Books – character development subjects that connect with each lesson
- D-backs Fun At Bat banner
- Stickers
Contributions to the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation Fund will be designated to organizations that address homelessness, indigent healthcare and children’s programs.
Consider donating today!
