BOSTON, MA – As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to strain non-profit organizations across New England, the Red Sox Foundation will provide grants to local non-profit organizations working within the field of mental health through the 7th Annual IMPACT Awards presented by the Ruderman Family Foundation. The IMPACT Awards give Red Sox fans the opportunity to nominate their favorite non-profits in all six New England states to receive support and funding.

Given the pandemic’s vast effect on mental health, for the second year in a row, the IMPACT Awards will focus on organizations whose mission includes raising awareness and improving the mental health outcomes of young adults in their community.

“As we look forward to supporting the recovery and rebirth of our local communities, the Red Sox Foundation is proud to continue working alongside the Ruderman Family Foundation to recognize organizations making deep and meaningful change in the mental health space,” said Bekah Salwasser, Executive Vice President of Social Impact for the Boston Red Sox and Executive Director of the Red Sox Foundation. “The Ruderman Family Foundation is an invaluable partner and resource, and we are honored to collectively leverage our brands to amplify the efforts being made around mental health, which is so critical each and every day.”

Through a $125,000 grant from the Ruderman Family Foundation, the IMPACT Awards will provide eighteen non-profits with either a first place $10,000 grant, second place $3,000 grant, or a third place $2,000 grant. Eligible organizations with the most online votes from fans will be the designated winners. There will be three non-profits selected from each New England state.

To be eligible, charities must be 501(c)(3) non-profits in good standing whose work is focused on improving the outcomes for those in their community through mental health services and/or awareness.

“More than a year into the COVID-19 crisis, there is a growing sense that brighter days are ahead from a physical health perspective, in the realm of containing the spread of the virus. Yet the often-overlooked mental health consequences of the pandemic will undoubtedly carry long-term implications across society, including the psychological impact on individuals who remain in isolation or those who are only beginning to transition back to a relatively normal lifestyle,” said Jay Ruderman, President of the Ruderman Family Foundation. “Amid these ongoing challenges, it is essential to eradicate the stigma surrounding mental health issues, and to recognize the efforts of the organizations which are working tirelessly to carry out that mission in their communities.”

Starting today, fans can nominate a non-profit in the mental health space. The nomination period is open through June 7. Finalists will be announced on June 18, at which time the public voting period will begin. Voting ends July 9 and takes place on redsox.com/IMPACT. Additional information and official rules can also be found on redsox.com/IMPACT.

About the Red Sox Foundation

The official team charity of the Boston Red Sox, the Red Sox Foundation has donated to over 1,900 organizations since its creation in 2002, and focused on making a difference in the lives of children, families, Veterans, and communities in need by improving their health, education, and recreational opportunities. Through partnerships with best-in-class organizations in healthcare, the Red Sox have helped raise over $150 million for cancer treatment and research for The Jimmy Fund, supported more than 24,000 Veterans and their families suffering from the “invisible wounds of war” with the Home Base Program, and helped the Dimock Center serve over 19,000 patients annually with health and human services. The Foundation’s self-run education and youth baseball programs have helped 301 Boston Public Schools students with college scholarships, and promotes healthy choices and valuable life skills to more than 2,000 urban youth annually through its RBI baseball and softball program.

A 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the Red Sox Foundation raises funds through special events, corporate sponsorships, and grants. Founded and initially funded by Red Sox Principal Owner John Henry, Chairman Tom Werner, President/CEO Emeritus Larry Lucchino and their partners, the Red Sox Foundation has won numerous awards for the impact of its innovative programs. In 2010, the Foundation’s Red Sox Scholars program was recognized by Major League Baseball with the first-ever “MLB Commissioner’s Award for Philanthropic Excellence.” In 2009, the Red Sox Foundation was honored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Sports Philanthropy Project with the Patterson Award as the nation’s “Best Team Charity in Sports.” For more information about the foundation, visit redsoxfoundation.org.

About Ruderman Family Foundation

The Ruderman Family Foundation is an internationally recognized leader in advocating for the full inclusion of people with disabilities in our society. The Foundation supports effective programs, innovative partnerships and a dynamic approach to philanthropy in advocating for and advancing the inclusion of people with disabilities, and destigmatizing mental health, throughout the U.S. and around the world.

The Ruderman Family Foundation believes that inclusion and understanding of all people is essential to a fair and flourishing community and imposes these values within its leadership and funding. For more information, please visit www.rudermanfoundation.org