2019 Annual Report

2019 Annual Report Dear Pitch In For Baseball & Softball family, As we reflect on another year, we can’t help but feel grateful for your continued support. Pitch In For Baseball & Softball believes that baseball and softball are more than just games— they have the power to change lives. It is the generosity of the community, donors, and partners who support PIFBS that enables us to change the lives of children through baseball and softball. In 2019, PIFBS had the honor of continuing our work with industry leaders (MLB, Little League, Wilson Sporting Goods), MLB club teams (Reds, Twins, Dodgers, Mets, Yankees), organizations, and foundations who care about spreading the joy of baseball and softball to kids in underserved communities. One of our existing partners, the Tull Family Foundation, teamed up with a first-time partner of ours, the Pirates, to bring baseball and softball to kids in Pittsburgh. PIFBS also worked with the A’s to get equipment to kids in Oakland and we returned to Puerto Rico to continue our disaster relief efforts with partners Rushmore Loan Management and Auction.com. As an organization, we have undergone a leadership change, promoting a new CEO and hiring two new employees in 2019. We are supported by kids, leagues, and companies across the country who care deeply about spreading the joy of baseball and softball and conduct equipment collections and fundraisers on our behalf. Collected equipment is given new life in the hands of a child who has never had their own glove before. Kids from as far away as Arizona choose PIFBS as their charitable partner so they can help other kids play ball just like they do. Fundraising efforts enable us to fill in the gaps whenever we do not have enough gear in our warehouse. Our work wouldn’t be possible without this support. As you will see in the pages that follow, we have many stories and photos to share which highlight the impact of our work this year. We hope you enjoy learning more about the incredible difference your support is making in the lives of children around the world. Thank you for helping to make the work we do possible. Sincerely, Meredith Kim CEO ABOUT ABOUT US Pitch In For Baseball & Softball® is a registered 501(c)(3), not for profit organization that helps give the gift of play and contributes to positive youth development by providing equipment to children around the world. PIFBS reduces barriers to play and promotes youth development by providing equipment directly to leagues, schools, and organizations around the world to start, continue, and/or expand their programs. Over the past 14+ years, Pitch In For Baseball & Softball has helped over 900,000 kids in every state in the U.S. and 100 countries. “Over the past 14+ years, Pitch In For Baseball & Softball has donated more than $10 million worth of equipment to 900,000+ kids in every state in the U.S. and 100 countries” Domestic and International Equipment Grants—These grants are designed to help leagues, teams, and community organizations around the globe get the proper equipment to play baseball and softball. Grantees complete required annual reporting detailing the impact of the donation. Our strategic partnerships help us reach the most under-resourced communities around the world. PIFBS averages 600 projects each year. School Based Program—Launched in 2008, our School Based Program helps schools/districts stretch limited budgets, reduce participation fees, and shift funds to other areas such as transportation. PIFBS is implementing School Based Programs in Philadelphia, Northern Kentucky, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Chicago, and the Bronx. Disaster Relief Program—In times of tragedy, children are the most affected. Baseball and softball can help to restore a sense of normalcy amidst the chaos. PIFBS has rebuilt entire leagues and helped thousands of kids start their season on time. PIFBS has assisted with relief efforts on the NY/NJ shoreline following Hurricane Sandy; Joplin, MO; the Gulf Coast region; Japan; Houston; Puerto Rico; and more. LAYouth Monarchs, Service Learning Los—Whether Angeles for school service learning, Bar/Bat mitzvahs, Eagle Scouts, or for fun, nearly 200 kids choose PIFBS each year as their charitable partner. About 60% of the equipment PIFBS gives away each year comes from the efforts of motivated, caring kids who run collections and fundraise on PIFBS’ behalf. 2019 BY THE NUMBERS ABOUT US 95,000 632 94,000 KIDS PIECES OF PROJECTS SERVED EQUIPMENT 572 58,000 37,200 PROJECTS IN KIDS SERVED BASEBALLS & THE U.S. IN THE U.S. SOFTBALLS PROVIDED 60 36,000 13,700 PROJECTS KIDS SERVED GLOVES INTERNATIONALLY INTERNATIONALLY PROVIDED 43 87%* 7,600 STATES FREE/REDUCED BATS 25 LUNCH RATE PROVIDED COUNTRIES *SCHOOL BASED PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS 2019 DONATION LOCATIONS PROGRAMS 2018 Projects: United States DOMESTIC & INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS Through our general equipment grant application process, Pitch In For Baseball & Softball distributes new and gently used gear to groups throughout the United States to help increase youth participation in baseball/softball. PIFBS strives to make the sport accessible to all kids regardless of financial means. Through our international equipment grant application process, PIFBS gets gear to groups outside of the United States where interest in baseball/softball is growing rapidly. In many countries, baseball and softball equipment is very expensive or isn’t available to purchase at all so PIFBS is their means for starting their program. PIFBS fulfills all equipment grant requests that we receive from eligible applicants. Our strategic partners such as Little League and Major League Baseball’s Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) program help ensure that we are reaching the most under-resourced communities and enable us to send gear abroad in a cost-effective manner. The 2019 season was an incredible bonding experience for all of the boys on the Isaac Middle School baseball team out of Phoenix, Arizona. The 7th grade boys on the team admired their 8th grade teammates so much that they shared their desire to be role models to the younger players on the team next year. As a whole, the team recognized their impact on their fellow classmates, adhered to the school’s behavioral expectations, and strived for academic success throughout the season and beyond. Due to their continued academic success, the head coach entered them into the Phoenix City Baseball Championship tournament and the team won 1st place and ended their season on a high note! In 2017 and 2019, Pitch In For Baseball & Softball sent an entire container of baseball and softball gear to the Philippines. Though softball is not a mainstream sport in the Philippines, it has grown drastically, and children who excel at the sport are given additional opportunities for education within the country. Former players volunteer their time to help the next generation improve. PIFBS’ donation enabled the group, 1 United Philippine Softball to create three additional teams in 2019 and provide over 750 kids the opportunity to play softball. This was a dramatic increase over their 2018 participation numbers. ABOUT ABOUT US PROGRAMS At age 13, Alon immigrated from the United States to Israel. Due to the lack of popularity of In 2018, Pitch In For Baseball & Softball lost one of its long-time board members, Dave Davis. In the sport in Israel, basic baseball equipment coordination with Dave’s wife, PIFBS completed a project in 2019 with Horsham Challenger Little such as bats, balls, gloves, and helmets are League to honor our dear friend Dave. Dave loved the game and was a passionate San Francisco often difficult for teams to acquire. Alon was Giants fan, even spending a month in Arizona for spring training. thrilled when Israel Association of Baseball was The Horsham Challenger Division welcomes players of all ages, who have physical and intellectual the recipient of an equipment grant from PIFBS challenges, to enjoy the game of baseball along with their peers. Director of Operations & Programs, and he was able to utilize quality baseball Steve Bizon, was able to deliver the donation to the league’s pizza party in November. The program equipment from the United States. Alon’s talent was thrilled with the donation that included batting helmets, bats, gloves, apparel items, equipment was identified quickly and he was able to bags, baseballs, and more! In total, the donation was valued at over $7,000. participate on the 14U Israel National Team. Members of the Philadelphia Adult League Softball (PALS) team took a trip to Belize in the summer of 2019 to run softball clinics and provide equipment to boys and girls. In Belize, softball for both boys and girls continues to be more accessible. PIFBS was able to provide over $2,000 worth of equipment for PALS to take along with them to Belize. In addition to clinic participants receiving equipment, eight primary schools received gear to start or expand their softball programs as part of the physical education program. Two young boys who participated in the clinic, Mark* and John*, decided to try out for the Belize Junior National Team. The president of the Belize City Softball Association credits their participation and receipt of a pair of cleats from the clinics with helping to give them the confidence to try out for the team. *names have been changed PROGRAMS SCHOOL BASED PROGRAMS Pitch In For Baseball & Softball’s School Based Program helps schools and districts in under-resourced communities start, continue, or expand their baseball and softball programs and stretch limited budgets. Starting in 2008 within the Philadelphia School District, PIFBS began helping children not only get on the field, but also increase their attendance and GPA as a result of playing ball.

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