Paul Goldschmidt's philanthropic efforts are numerous and far-reaching. Paul has quietly supported a wide array of charitable causes during his career, and recently received recognition for the generous contributions he has made over the years.
On June 7, 2024, Paul was awarded the 2023 Lou Gehrig Award sponsored by the Phi Delta Theta International Fraternity, headquartered in Oxford, Ohio. Phi Delta Theta presents the award annually to a Major League Baseball player who best exemplifies the giving character of Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig, who was a member of the Fraternity’s Columbia University chapter. During the award ceremony, Paul presented John Ceriotti, an ALS patient, with a custom St. Louis Cardinals' Permobil wheelchair that will provide John the independence he needs and deserves. Paul also provided autographed baseballs to the ALS Association in St. Louis and the Muscular Dystrophy Association to support their fundraising efforts.
On June 25, 2024, Cardinals Care, in partnership with the Gateway Region YMCA and Boniface Foundation, unveiled the Paul Goldschmidt Miracle League Field at the new YMCA Adaptive Sports Complex on the campus of the South County YMCA. The field provides a cushioned, barrier-free surface and dugout to provide accessibility for players with disabilities. Paul has been a strong supporter of Cardinals Care during his time with the team. Annual financial contributions and signing of memorabilia used for silent auctions help support the flagship Redbird Rookies program, a free baseball/softball program for children aged 5-13, as well as the charity’s Grant and Youth Ballfield programs. Paul attends the Cardinals Care Winter Warm-Up annually, signing autographs for fans who donated to Cardinals Care.
Paul hosts a free annual baseball clinic for area Little League players and Redbird Rookies participants to help teach skills to young athletes and encourage parents and coaches to have a healthy attitude toward youth sports.
Paul has participated in the team’s Player Ticket Program since 2019. Goldy’s Golden Ticket has brought dozens of deserving youth organizations to a game. He provides T-shirts, photo cards, tickets and food vouchers, and meets with groups to answer questions, sign autographs and take photos. Over the years, Paul has met with hundreds of children from area nonprofits.
Since signing with the Cardinals in 2018, Paul has joined former teammate and 2020 Roberto Clemente Award winner Adam Wainwright in charitable efforts through Wainwright’s foundation, Big League Impact (BLI). Paul has participated in several fundraising initiatives and the charity’s MISSION 3:18 initiative, which empowers MLB players to give back during road series with one-day service opportunities that promote positive change in the communities they visit throughout the baseball season. To date, Paul has raised more than $150,000 through the #ALLWIN campaign, pledging dollars for causes close to his heart including Food for the Hungry, Habitat for Humanity St. Louis -- an organization that provides an opportunity for families living in substandard rental housing to help build and then purchase a home they can afford to maintain -- and The Little Bit Foundation, a local nonprofit that aims to empower students to achieve their academic goals and dreams for the future by breaking down barriers to learning for students living in poverty.
Starting in 2022, Paul and his wife Amy have hosted Uncork for a Cause, an annual gala benefiting Water Mission, a nonprofit, Christian engineering organization that designs, builds and implements safe water, sanitation and hygiene solutions for people in developing countries and disaster areas. More than $300,000 has been raised during the past three years to fund projects that build long-term, sustainable safe water systems impacting 6,000 people.
Paul and Amy enjoy spending time with pediatric patients in St. Louis. They participate in hospital visits and Make-A-Wish events annually, including the Wives for Wishes event that raises funds to grant wishes to area children. He autographed baseballs for the Cardinals Family Grab Bag event which raised nearly $50,000 in 2024 for area nonprofits Angels’ Arms, Covenant House, KEEN St. Louis and Lydia’s House.
Paul’s off-field efforts and the positive impact of his giving will reverberate throughout the St. Louis community and beyond for years to come.