Diamond Project initiative aims to expand opportunities for children to play baseball in underserved neighborhoods.
Cubs Charities announced Monday the launch of the 2015 Cubs Charities Diamond Project. In 2014, Cubs Charities introduced the Diamond Project and awarded more than $330,000 to seven projects across Chicago to improve the quality, safety and accessibility of local baseball fields or indoor training facilities.
The Diamond Project expands opportunities for children to play baseball, create or enhance green space in underserved neighborhoods and foster a love of the game, particularly in the inner city where baseball has experienced a significant decline.
As part of the 2015 project kickoff, Cubs Charities will host an informational session Wednesday, May 6, at 10:00am CDT in the Audi Club at Wrigley Field. Interested nonprofit, neighborhood-based organizations and schools in the Chicago area can email diamondproject@cubs.com to attend.
“Cubs Charities is proud to encourage health, fitness and a love of baseball for our city’s youth through the Diamond Project,” said Cubs Charities Board Chair Laura Ricketts in a statement. “We’ve seen a tremendous impact from the project’s first year and look forward to providing new opportunities throughout Chicago moving forward.”
Cubs Charities, with technical assistance from Local Initiatives Support Corporation Chicago (LISC), will identify communities in need of new or improved baseball fields. Cubs Charities also will donate 10 scoreboards to local fields in partnership with Daktronics, the manufacturer of the new scoring and video boards inside Wrigley Field. Applicants may request grants ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 from the Cubs Charities Diamond Project.
For additional information on the Cubs Charities Diamond Project and to learn how to apply, please visit www.cubs.com/diamondproject. Proposals are due by 5:00pm CDT Friday, June 19.
About Cubs Charities: Cubs Charities harnesses the passion of Cubs fans to improve the lives of children and families across Chicago and beyond. Cubs Charities’ goal is to provide increased access to sports opportunities and target improvements in health, fitness and education for those at risk. Through grants to quality nonprofit programs, development of parks and baseball fields, and other community initiatives, the Cubs and Cubs Charities help fulfill a commitment to be the best in the game, on and off the field. For more information, visit www.cubscharities.org.
About LISC: LISC Chicago connects neighborhoods to the resources they need to become stronger and healthier. Part of the national nonprofit Local Initiatives Support Corporation, LISC Chicago provides grants, loans, technical assistance and other resources to more than 70 partner organizations across Chicago. When neighborhoods are connected to the right resources and work together to advance robust, coordinated community development plans, they are better positioned to participate in the region’s economic growth. For more information, visit lisc-chicago.org.