FIELDS FOR KIDS

The Pirates Charities Fields for Kids program, presented by Highmark aims to provide key resources to youth baseball and softball organizations, including financial support for the construction and up-keep of area fields. These fields become places where young athletes and their coaches connect over the shared love our game, create lifelong memories and learn some of life’s most important lessons such as teamwork and sportsmanship. Through this program, Pirates Charities and Highmark ensure our kids can continue to play the games they love and grow from the experience of being part of a baseball and softball team.

Since its inception in 2009, this program has impacted tens of thousands of kids and distributed 425 individual grants in the greater Pittsburgh region and 46 grants in the Pirates Spring Training home of Bradenton, Florida.

APPLYING FOR A FIELDS FOR KIDS GRANT

Any nonprofit tax-exempt organization, school or local government unit that operates youth baseball and/or softball programs within select counties of the Pittsburgh Pirates market area* are encouraged to apply through the application portal below.

For application assistance, or to request a paper application, please reach out to Jacqueline Damrow – Manager, Pirates Charities at [email protected].

During application review periods, a Pirates Charities representative may reach out if further clarification or information is needed, so please ensure a monitored email and phone number are provided on the application.

GRANT PARAMETERS – FIELD GRANT

Funding Amounts: Grants for field refurbishment projects are generally gifted in amounts under $10,000. Fields requiring funding above $10,000 should apply through the "Signature Grant" application once the program has launched for 2024. Uniform and equipment needs are evaluated and fulfilled on a case-by-case basis based on information provided in the application. Pirates Charities and Highmark aims to award financial and in-kind support to as many organizations as possible each season.

Eligible Field Projects: Any projects that improve, maintain, renovate, or add to field conditions are eligible to apply for a field grant. Eligible projects include, but are not limited to, upgrading essential field components, adding new sod, infield, fencing, dugouts or irrigation systems. Additionally, while the focus of the grant is on field conditions, upgrades to the overall facilities that include projects such as improving lighting, bleachers, batting cages, scoreboards and concession stands are eligible to apply for a grant. Projects such as the purchase of land, parking lots, press boxes and restrooms are not eligible to apply for financial support.

Matching Contributions: Organizations applying for financial support for field projects are asked to provide matching support for the field project. Matching contributions can be secured through financial means, in-kind contributions or labor.

Frequency: Grants will be distributed three times in 2024: in April, June and August. Once an organization has received funding, the organization is asked to to complete their field project within one calendar year. Organizations are limited to receiving one Fields for Kids grant each calendar year (January-December).

Project Reporting: Organizations awarded a field grant will be asked to submit a project report before they are eligible to apply again. The project report is to be submitted one calendar year from the date the grant is received.

*Eligible counties in the Pittsburgh Pirates market area include:

In Pennsylvania: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Green, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Washington, Westmoreland

In Ohio: Belmont, Columbiana, Jefferson

In West Virginia: Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Monongalia, Ohio

Projects that fall outside of the above listed counties will be considered on a case-by-case basis, dependent on applications received from the counties above.

GRANT PARAMETERS – EQUIPMENT GRANT

Funding Amounts: Equipment Grants are intended to help organizations purchase equipment necessary for athletes to play the games we love. Grants are generally gifted in amounts that are agreed upon between the field organization and Pirates Charities staff based on the needs of the applicant.

Eligible Equipment Requests: Eligible equipment requests include, but is not limited to, items such as baseballs, softballs, bats, tees, helmets and bases. The grant is intended to help organizations obtain necessary equipment.

Frequency: Applications for the equipment grant are evaluated on a rolling basis throughout the season.

*Eligible counties in the Pittsburgh Pirates market area include:

In Pennsylvania: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Green, Indiana, Lawrence, Mercer, Washington, Westmoreland

In Ohio: Belmont, Columbiana, Jefferson

In West Virginia: Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Monongalia, Ohio

Requests that fall outside of the above listed counties will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

QUESTIONS

Questions? Please reach out to [email protected].