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The Rays Baseball Foundation is committed to supporting youth and education programs throughout the Tampa Bay region.
The Rays Community Fund Grant Program provides assistance to local non-profits in the Tampa Bay region. Grants up to $5,000 are awarded through this program. These funds help add to and support current programs offered by community-based non-profit organizations.
Community Fund Grant - Cycle 1
The deadline for Cycle 1 of the Rays Community Fund Grant Program has passed. See the grant recipients below.
Community Fund Grant - Cycle 2
Information on Cycle 2 will be available June 1, 2012.
Organizations may receive a maximum of one grant award per calendar year; if a grant is not awarded in the first grant cycle, an organization may submit an application again in the second cycle.
The Rays Baseball Foundation Field Renovation Program renovates youth ball fields in various communities throughout the Tampa Bay region. Through municipal and corporate partnerships, the Rays Baseball Foundation works with landscapers and contractors to renovate individual fields. The Rays Baseball Foundation primarily works with Parks and Recreation Departments throughout the year to identify appropriate fields for renovation. If there is a field that should be included for consideration, please download and complete the application and mail to:
Rays Baseball Foundation
Field Renovation Program
Attn: Suzanne Murchland
One Tropicana Drive
St. Petersburg, Fl 33705
For more information, please contact the Rays' Community Relations department at 727-825-3135 or e-mail community@raysbaseball.com.
The Rays Community Fund Grant Program provides assistance to local non-profit organizations in the Tampa Bay Region. The grant supports current youth and/or education programs offered by community-based non-profit organizations. Below are the first round recipients of the 2012 Community Fund Grant:
Big Brother Big Sisters of the Sun Coast provides one to one mentoring services to at risk children between the ages of 6 and 18 who demonstrate the need for additional adult guidance and support. Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Sun Coast will receive a Community Fund Grant in the amount $5,000 from the Rays Baseball Foundation in support of the Sports Buddies program. The program is designed to incorporate sporting activities into mentoring, as well as to recruit more adult men to aid the number of boys who are still on the waiting list for mentors.
The Boys and Girls Club of Plant City seeks to enable all young people, especially those who need it most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens through consistent interactions which focus on academic achievement, healthy lifestyles, and civic engagement amongst caring adults in a structured environment. The $5,000 Community Fund Grant, provided by the Rays Baseball Foundation, will support the Project Learn Academic Enrichment Program. The program seeks to bridge the gap for at-risk youth, by providing a comprehensive year round academic curriculum, in addition to enriching activities that will enable the young people to increase their achievements in academic abilities, as well as personal growth.
Brookwood Florida-Central, Inc. provides girls and young women with an alternative living environment and a therapeutic program that encompasses education, employability skills, independent living training, and counseling that will prepare them for self-sufficiency. The Rays Baseball Foundation has awarded Brookwood Florida-Central a Community Fund Grant of $5,000 towards enhancing independent living training by enabling daily bus passes for a 12 month period. The bus passes are able to allow older girls, ages 15 to 20, to access local bus transportation in order to attend school-related programs, job interviews, get to work, and travel to other necessary appointments.
Children First is a Head Start Program of Excellence that seeks to strengthen children and families by improving the quality of their lives through a comprehensive approach to development, education, health, and well-being. Children First will receive a $5,000 Community Fund Grant from the Rays Baseball Foundation in support of childcare scholarships. With this funding, Children First can provide parents the opportunity to work full work days or attend full school days in order to provide for themselves and their families. For every dollar received through the Community Fund Grant, there is a match of $4.00.
Devereux Florida - Devereux Kids aims to engage communities, strengthen families, and protect children through a wide range of services and support for emotional, developmental, and behavioral needs of children in various settings. The Rays Baseball Foundation has awarded Devereux Florida - Devereux Kids a Community Fund Grant of $5,000 to continue the Sulphur Springs Youth Leadership Council by including an educational component with an emphasis to assist each youth with a successful transition from high school into a postsecondary institution. Intensive educational support will be provided to 20 youth ages 13 - 18, who are current members of the Sulphur Springs Youth Leadership Council.
Forty Carrots of Sarasota is dedicated to strengthening families through educational programs for parents, children and professionals by ensuring positive outcomes for children and providing parents with information, skills, and support to better equip them in raising their children. Forty Carrots Family Center has been awarded a Community Fund Grant of $5,000 from the Rays Baseball Foundation for transportation costs for the On Wheels Parenting Program. The On Wheels Parenting Program travels into the community every week fostering essential parent-child bonds, preventing child abuse and increasing school readiness for children. The grant will help with transportation costs to continue to help those in need throughout the community.
The Front Porch Community Development Association is an organization committed to assisting young individuals, businesses and communities in self sustainability efforts through education and collaborative partnerships. The Rays Baseball Foundation has awarded Front Porch Community Development Association with a Community Fund Grant of $5,000 to aid in The Front Porch Youth 4-H Gardening and Art Camp Summer Experience. This 6-weeks summer program is designed to educate youth on the importance of being healthy and environmentally conscience, while reinforcing and enhancing academic skills.
The Junior League of St. Petersburg is an organization of women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women and to improving the community through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. The $2,500 Community Fund Grant, provided by the Rays Baseball Foundation, will support the Back-to-School Care Fair Program. Care Fair offers health screening and school physicals for the children, as well as an opportunity for parents to learn about resources in the community. The grant will go towards purchasing backpacks and school supplies for participating children.
The Junior League of Tampa is an organization of 1700 women committed to promoting voluntarism, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. The Community Fund Grant of $5,000 given by The Rays Baseball Foundation is to assist in the Children's Literacy Project. The Children's Literacy Project promotes literacy by sending trained volunteers into kindergarten classrooms in Hillsborough County Renaissance schools to read twice a month and give each child one book at each storytelling session.
Manatee Education Foundation seeks to provide funding for innovative programs and enhanced educational opportunities for the teachers and students of Manatee County Public Schools beyond allocated state dollars. The Rays Baseball Foundation has awarded Manatee Education Foundation a Community Fund Grant of $5,000 for the Ca$h for Cla$$room Grants program. Ca$h for Cla$$room Grants are awarded to teachers who present projects for funding that are considered innovative and creative. The grants cover expenses ranging from basic supplies to field trips on various subjects.
Mt. Zion Human Services helps "high-risk" children and families overcome their life circumstances to achieve their fullest potential in life. A Community Fund Grant of $5,000 provided by the Rays Baseball Foundation will fund the Computer and Literacy Enhancement Program that is being added to summer camp. This program will introduce students to internet access and exposure, provide free tutoring to increase knowledge retention over non-school month, and provide a computer lab that will be used in the future with other programs.
Pinellas Opportunity Council seeks to alleviate poverty, revitalize communities, and promote self-sufficiency by serving the people of Pinellas County. A $5,000 Community Fund Grant has been awarded to Pinellas Opportunity Council, Inc. by the Rays Baseball Foundation in support of the Youth Development program. The program is designed to educate youth about workforce readiness skills, leadership, entrepreneurship and financial literacy through experimental, hands-on programs.
PlaySmart, Inc. strives to help kids reach their academic and life potential through sports. PlaySmart supports and develops sports programs that foster positive youth development. The Rays Baseball Foundation has awarded PlaySmart, Inc. a $5,000 Community Fund Grant for The PlaySmart 2012 Academy. The Academy has been developed to give youth a holistic experience where they can build confidence, gain life skills, be exposed to new ideas, and possibilities for themselves and receive stewardship from mentors and other positive adults.
Starting Right, Now aims to end homelessness for a family or unaccompanied youth by providing a stable home, obtaining employment, teaching financial literacy/life skills and promoting educational achievement. A $5,000 Community Fund Grant has been awarded to Starting Right, Now from the Rays Baseball Foundation for technology and supplies for at-risk youth. This initiative will be able to provide computers, printers and monthly internet service that will ensure every child has the right tools to graduate high school.
The Spring of Tampa Bay, Inc., seeks to prevent domestic violence, protect victims and promote change in lives, families and communities. The Rays Baseball Foundation has awarded The Spring of Tampa Bay a $5,000 Community Fund Grant for the Planting Seeds of Hope and Renewal Program in order to construct a year-round greenhouse on-site at the school. This program will teach students how to nurture and grow foods and to experience a rare sense of completion through the wonder of planting seeds, watching them grow, harvesting vegetables, and learning to cook them.
