Cubs Charities Awards more than $860,000 to 2016 Diamond Project Grantees … Signature program helps to grow youth baseball and softball across 14 Chicago neighborhoods
Cubs Charities has awarded more than $860,000 to 14 Diamond Project grantees this year to help improve youth baseball and softball fields across Chicago’s neighborhoods. Since 2014, Cubs Charities’ Diamond Project has awarded nearly $1.8 million in grants to support 28 youth leagues and 32 capital improvement projects across Chicago. The Diamond Project, one of Cubs Charities’ three signature programs, provides funds to nonprofit, neighborhood-based organizations to expand opportunities for children to play baseball and softball and improve the quality, safety and accessibility of local baseball fields or indoor training facilities.
Cubs Charities Board Chair Laura Ricketts and pitcher Jason Hammel announce 2016 Cubs Charities Diamond Project grantees with help from Cubs mascot Clark and Blaine Elementary School staff and students
“It’s rewarding to see the tremendous growth of the Diamond Project since its inception in 2014. From Brighton Park to Belmont Cragin, we are reaching communities across 14 Chicago neighborhoods, helping youth foster a love for diamond sports,” said Cubs Charities Board Chair Laura Ricketts in a statment. “This year, we were able to expand our reach and impact in providing essential needs from new field surfaces to scoreboards, allowing Chicago’s kids to play ball.”
Tuesday, members from James G. Blaine Elementary School accepted a $150,000 Diamond Project grant from Cubs Charities at their “Go Cubs Go Day.” The grant will support a new turf field surface and general field maintenance, logos, backstop and netting. Cubs associates, Laura Ricketts, Cubs mascot Clark and Cubs pitcher Jason Hammel were on hand to celebrate the occasion.
Sharon Bradberry, member of the South Side Little League board of commissioners, attended the event and shared the impact Cubs Charities Diamond Project grants have had on their players, families and community.
“The Cubs Charities Diamond Project has been an important difference maker for the South Side Little League,” said Sharon Bradberry, member of the South Side Little League board of commissioners and past Diamond Project recipient in a statement. “The highlight of our 2016 opening day parade and celebration was a special ribbon cutting ceremony for our new diamond at Cole Park. We are grateful for the relationship with the Cubs.”
Cubs Charities, with assistance from Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Chicago, selected local capital improvement projects to receive Diamond Project grants that ranged from $10,000 to $150,000 to support field surfaces, indoor training amenities, batting cages and general field and stadium support. Cubs Charities donated seven scoreboards to local fields in partnership with Daktronics, the manufacturer of the video boards at Wrigley Field.
Building diamonds and dreams. #LetsGive #PlayBall pic.twitter.com/1R4fprRx6V
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 21, 2016
Supporting the Diamond Project:
Net proceeds from MLB-authenticated, game-used and autographed Cubs memorabilia sold through Cubs Authentics will support the Diamond Project. Fans and collectors interested in supporting Cubs Charities through the purchase of Cubs Authentics memorabilia can currently find autographed and game-used baseballs, bats and jerseys from current players, coaches and alumni at www.cubs.com/authentics.
2016 Diamond Project Capital Grantees:
- Friends of Amundsen High School
- Archer Manor Little League
- James G. Blaine Elementary School
- Brighton Park Neighborhood Council
- Ford Height Park District
- Friends of Eckhart Park
- Garfield Park Little League
- Josephinum Academy
- Maplewood and Lucy Flower Parks Advisory Council
- Neighborhood Boys and Girls Club
- Northwest Side Housing Center
- Rogers Park Business Alliance
- Warren Park Youth Baseball Little League
- Welles Park Parents Association
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.