Caring Causes: Cubs Charities

Cubs Charities, a nonprofit that mobilizes the power of sport to champion youth, families and communities, today announced that $920K will be awarded to 13 organizations through the 2021 Diamond Project capital grants. These 13 organizations located throughout Chicago will use the grants for various projects including field upgrades and maintenance, the installation of a new indoor training facility in West Garfield Park and other projects that help grow youth baseball and softball initiatives in their communities. 

Through the Diamond Project, Cubs Charities provides funds and equipment to nonprofit, neighborhood-based organizations that support baseball and softball leagues and capital improvement projects that improve the quality, safety and accessibility of local baseball fields or indoor training facilities.

“As we continue to deal with the challenges from the pandemic and its effects on mental health, our children and youth need even more opportunities to heal and feel safe,” said Alicia Gonzalez, Executive Director of Cubs Charities. “Quality sports-based youth programming is uniquely positioned to support the social and emotional well-being of our children and youth. The 13 organizations awarded Diamond Project grants in 2021 offer or support quality programs to ensure that Chicago’s children and youth can keep playing and building positive relationships both on and off the field.”  

Since 2014, Cubs Charities has committed more than $10.8 million to fund 103 capital improvement projects and 79 youth programs while providing new sports equipment across Chicago through the Diamond Project. 

The 2021 Diamond Project capital grantees are:

Armstrong Park Advisory Council: Located in Grand Boulevard, Armstrong Park Advisory Council will use the funds to refurbish playing fields. 

BUILD, Inc.: Located in West Garfield Park, BUILD, Inc. will use the funds to support construction of a new indoor facility. 

Canaryville Little League: Located in Canaryville, Canaryville Little League will use the funds for stadium amenities. 

East Side Little League: Located in East Side, East Side Little League will use the funds to support field amenities. 

Gompers Park Athletic Association: Located in North Mayfair, Gompers Park Athletic Association will use the funds to support field upgrades.

Hyde Park-Kenwood Legends Baseball League: Located in Hyde Park, the Hyde Park-Kenwood Legends Baseball League will use the funds to replace dugout benches and install a water source. 

Lindblom Math and Science Academy: Located in West Englewood, Lindblom Math and Science Academy will use the funds to install fencing. 

Little Cubs Field: Located in Humboldt Park, Little Cubs Field will use the funds to replace the existing turf field. 

The Noble Network of Charter Schools: Located in South Chicago, The Noble Network of Charter Schools will use the funds to support field upgrades. 

Omega Delta Youth Baseball & Softball League: Located in McKinley Park, Omega Delta Youth Baseball & Softball League will use the funds to install a water source. 

Pottawattomie Park Advisory Council: Located in Rogers Park, Pottawattomie Park Advisory Council will use the funds to support field upgrades and upgrade backstops. 

Ridge Beverly Little League: Located in West Beverly, Ridge Beverly Little League will use the funds to support the replacement of player benches. 

UCAN: Located in North Lawndale, UCAN will use the funds to support field upgrades. 

Applications for the 2022 Diamond Project grants are now open at Cubs.com/DiamondProject. Program and equipment grant applications are open until Monday, February 28, and capital grant applications are open until Friday, May 13. Grant recipients are selected based on need and the ability of the proposed program to increase youth baseball and softball programming in their local communities or improve public recreational space. 

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About Cubs Charities

Cubs Charities is a nonprofit that mobilizes the power of sport to champion youth, families and communities. Cubs Charities’ work is focused on sports-based youth development and academic programming, investments in safe places to play and strategic grantmaking. Since 2009, Cubs Charities has invested more than $44 million in people, places and programs across Chicago. Cubs Charities is a leader among professional sports teams in its creation, execution and delivery of quality, sports-based youth development programming. Today, Cubs Charities’ portfolio includes programs that provide children and youth with skilled coaches, quality programming and safe and accessible places to play the game.