Today, the Pittsburgh Pirates announced a season-long initiative in partnership with PNC, aimed at supporting several small businesses and nonprofits from around the city in continued commitment towards creating a stronger community.

The Pirates and Pirates Charities relied on the North Side Chamber of Commerce and the African American Chamber of Commerce of Western PA to select the six small businesses and six nonprofit organizations to highlight during the season. The Pirates will now use the team’s unique public platform to call attention to these businesses and non-profits throughout the season.

The initiative is announced as part of the Club’s “Family Forever” campaign, a marketing initiative focused around togetherness and support of fans, businesses and community.  The Family Forever logo includes a home plate outline symbolizing the importance of coming together and supporting the community we call home.

The campaign will feature a different small business for nine days each for the remainder of the season starting today, Tuesday, July 28. For the remaining 54 games of the season, the Pirates will support the businesses with several in-game assets as well as social and online promotions.  Assets include in-broadcast drop-ins by Pirates broadcasters; free 30 second television and radio commercials produced by the Pirates; social media sponsorship with logo inclusion on graphics; in-park signage; and more.

The local small businesses include:

1.  North Shore Tavern: July 29- August 7

2.  RS Supply: August 8-16

3.  Wagsburgh: August 18-28

4.  Priory Fine Pastries: August 29- September 6

5.  Jerry's Pizzeria: September 8-17

6.  New Pittsburgh Courier: September 18-26

“We have said it before and we truly mean it, as Pittsburghers we take pride in building each other up and helping where we can in times of trouble, that is what makes this community unique,” said Pirates president Travis Williams. “This has been our directive since the beginning of the pandemic as we have bought from local small businesses and partnered with area nonprofits to help provide for front line workers, the underserved and the community as a whole.

“Now as we look forward to continuing our efforts throughout the season we are proud to work to use our reach to promote local small businesses and nonprofits.”

In addition to the support of the small businesses, the Pirates have committed to supporting and raising awareness for several local nonprofits. The Club will allocate several in-game assets such as highlight videos to be played in- broadcast and on social media and coordinating in-broadcast interviews with representatives of each nonprofit. Pirates Charities will partner with PNC to contribute to each local nonprofit during their feature week.

The local nonprofits include:

1.  Veteran’s Place

2.  Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (Pittsburgh RBI)

3.  Humane Animal Rescue

4.  Urban League

5.  Lending Hearts

6.  Latino Community Center