Community Fund innovating to overcome loss of Opening Day, season

The Reds Community Fund is a unique organization in many ways, focusing on baseball, softball and education and connecting with urban neighborhoods and families. These efforts and our activities at the P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy are made possible only by the generosity of fans in Reds Country and our many fundraising events tied to Reds baseball.

Without Opening Day – our largest day of revenue each season – and with many other traditional fundraisers and revenue streams in question, we are one of many organizations facing a challenging year ahead. As we work with our players and community partners to address the frontline needs of underserved kids and families during this pandemic, we also have to focus on our own ability to serve the hundreds of youth baseball and softball teams that we support once it’s safe for these activities to resume.

I hope you’ll consider making a contribution to the Reds Community Fund at this time so that we can continue to provide the necessary resources for our kids, coaches and neighborhoods. Now more than ever, we are craving the competition, comfort and familiarity of baseball and softball. We need your help so that kids can continue playing.

Until then, we are doing everything possible to stay connected to our kids, coaches, teams and community partners. One new initiative is our “Senior Spotlight,” which shares the stories of the 28 high school seniors who represent our RBI program and Reds Youth Academy and who lost their senior seasons. Go to https://www.mlb.com/mlb-youth-academy/cincinnati/senior-spotlight?partnerId=ed-14830794-1211113213 to read their stories.

We’re also partnering with USA Baseball and Cincinnati Public Schools on the “Fun At Bat” video series, aimed at kids ages 5-10. Click here to read or see more: https://www.mlb.com/reds/community/fun-at-bat?partnerId=ed-14830794-1211113213

Thanks for your support of the Reds and the Reds Community Fund. Stay healthy and safe and we hope to see you soon.

Charley Frank
Executive Director
Reds Community Fund