Cubs and McCormick Foundation Celebrate 25 Years of Giving
The Cubs teamed up with the Robert R. McCormick Foundation and announce Wednesday more than $1 million in grants to nonprofit organizations serving those in need in the Chicago area. This year marks the 25th anniversary of Cubs Care, a McCormick Foundation Fund, through which more than $20 million has been donated to Chicago nonprofit organizations since its inception. The luncheon marks the 11th consecutive year more than $1 million has been donated to Chicago communities through Cubs Care. Cubs Care grants help organizations to provide youth health and wellness programs and education programs.
“We’re proud to achieve this milestone as we celebrate 25 years of giving and partnership with the Robert R. McCormick Foundation,” said Cubs Charities Board Chair Laura Ricketts in a statement. “Our annual Cubs Care grants provide necessary resources for Chicago nonprofits to make an impact in the lives of children and families in our community.”
“Chicago is filled with passionate fans and caring neighbors,” said David Hiller, president and CEO of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation in a statement. “For the last 25 years, the McCormick Foundation and Chicago Cubs have shared a commitment to supporting amazing community organizations that work to improve the lives of underserved youth and families across Chicagoland. Together, we will continue to build a stronger community for all of us in the years to come.”
Among the beneficiaries of Cubs Care since its inception 25 years ago is the Chicago Park District, which has received more than $6.5 million dollars for its programs across the city. The Chicago Park District provides safe and beautifully maintained parks and facilities as well as recreation and leisure opportunities for children and families in Chicago.
“We are grateful to Cubs Care for 25 years of supporting our programs and capital projects,” said Michael P. Kelly, Chicago Park District general superintendent and CEO in a statement. “From Cubs Care Rookie League, inner city youth baseball, programming for athletes with special needs and new fields and playgrounds, Cubs Care has constantly been there, impacting the lives of hundreds of thousands of Chicago youth.”
Events such as the Bricks and Ivy Ball, Race to Wrigley Charity Run and Catch in the Confines, along with activities such as the Cubs Convention, personal scoreboard messages and contributions from Cubs players and fans, have helped raise funds for Cubs Care grants since 1991.
Cubs Charities April 29, 2015
Cubs Charities Board Chair Laura Ricketts, Clark the Cub and All-Star shortstop Starlin Castro present a check to Mary Ann Mahon-Huels, president and CEO of the Union League Boys and Girls Clubs, and Emilia Nichols, RBI commissioner, at Cubs Care and Cubs Charities Grant Luncheon.
Cubs Charities April 29, 2015
Cubs Charities Board Chair Laura Ricketts, Clark the Cub and All-Star shortstop Starlin Castro present a check to Shane Caterino, director of Development for the Academy for Urban School Leadership, at Cubs Care and Cubs Charities Grant Luncheon
Cubs Charities April 29, 2015
David Hiller, president and CEO of the Robert R. McCormick Foundation, helps kick off the Cubs Care and Cubs Charities Grant Luncheon marking the 25th anniversary of Cubs Care, a McCormick Foundation Fund
The full list of organizations receiving grants includes:
Cubs Care, a McCormick Foundation Fund:
- Academy for Urban School Leadership
- Action for Healthy Kids
- Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago
- Breakthrough Urban Ministries
- BUILD, Inc.
- Casa Central
- Center on Halsted
- Chicago Academy of Sciences
- Chicago House
- Chicago Parks Foundation
- Chicago Public Library Foundation
- Chicago Run
- Chicago Scholars
- Christopher House
- Girls in the Game
- Heartland International Health Center
- Housing Opportunities for Women
- Lake View and High Ridge YMCA
- Metropolitan Family Services
- METROsquash
- Midtown Educational Foundation
- Mujeres Latinas en Accion
- Presence Saint Joseph Hospital
- Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
- Ronald McDonald House Charities
- St. Joseph Services
- The Night Ministry
- Tutoring Chicago
- Union League Boys and Girls Clubs-Cubs RBI
- Urban Initiatives
Cubs Charities:
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Chicago
- GiGi’s Playhouse
- Girls on the Run
- House of the Good Shepherd
- Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)
- Misericordia Home
- National Runaway Safeline
- Ravinia Music Discovery