The Pirates Charities Fields for Kids - General Matching Grant

The Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates Charities Fields for Kids Grant is a private funding initiative aimed at supporting youth baseball and softball programs by enhancing field conditions in the greater Pittsburgh region and Bradenton, Florida. Operated by Pirates Charities, the philanthropic arm of the Major League Baseball team, the program is rooted in a mission to create safe, engaging environments where young athletes can develop essential life skills through sports. Since its inception in 2009, the Fields for Kids initiative has distributed more than 500 grants, impacting tens of thousands of youth participants. The primary objective of the Fields for Kids grant is to offer financial and in-kind support for the construction, renovation, and maintenance of youth baseball and softball fields. Projects eligible for funding include upgrades to field infrastructure such as sod, infield mix, fencing, dugouts, and irrigation systems, as well as broader facility improvements like lighting, bleachers, scoreboards, and batting cages. However, projects such as land acquisition, press boxes, parking lots, and restrooms are not eligible. There are two grant categories under this initiative: General Matching Grants, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000, and Signature Matching Grants, ranging from $11,000 to $25,000. Most grants awarded fall within the General Matching Grant category. Applicants are expected to contribute a matching share to their proposed project, which can be in the form of financial investment, in-kind donations, or volunteer labor. The goal is to stretch resources and support as many qualifying organizations as possible during each funding cycle. Eligibility is limited to nonprofit, tax-exempt organizations, schools, and local government units operating youth baseball or softball programs in designated counties across Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. Applications are submitted through an online portal, with paper applications available upon request. A monitored email and phone number must be included in the application, as representatives from Pirates Charities may reach out for additional information during the review process. General Matching Grant applications are reviewed and awarded three times annually, with distribution periods in April, June, and August. Once awarded, recipient organizations must complete their field projects within one calendar year and are required to submit a project report before becoming eligible to reapply. Organizations may only receive one Fields for Kids grant per calendar year. For inquiries or application support, applicants can contact Jacqueline Damrow, Manager of Pirates Charities, at Jacqueline.Damrow@pirates.com. The program operates with a strong commitment to youth development, community engagement, and the enduring values of teamwork and sportsmanship that baseball fosters. Charities Fields for Kids program, backed by Highmark, offers the General Matching Grant to support the construction and maintenance of baseball and softball fields for youth organizations. Since 2009, this program has delivered significant impact, distributing numerous grants to enhance field conditions and facilities. This General Matching Grant category provides financial support ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 for projects such as upgrading field components, adding new sod, or enhancing field-related facilities like lighting and scoreboards. Eligible entities include nonprofit organizations, schools, and local government units operating youth baseball and/or softball programs within specific counties in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. Projects focusing on non-field structures are ineligible.