Mariners Care Awards Grants to Community Organizations and High Schools!

Even though we are just on the verge of baseball season, Mariners Care has been busy. The Mariners organization believes that it can be a community leader. Mariners Care is the team’s non-profit foundation that has helped raise millions of dollars for needs in the community. Their three areas of focus are “access to baseball and softball for all, advancing equity and justice, and making our hometown healthy and vibrant.”

Although Mariners Care addresses many community needs, this article focuses on the organizations that received the Mariners Care Community Impact Grants and the high school's Mariners Care selected for Equipment Donation grants.

You may be interested in donating to or volunteering for some of the organizations that Mariners Care has already vetted. Additionally, you may not be aware that a local school is in need of money for it's baseball or softball team. You could always donate to Mariners Care directly.

Community Impact Grants

The Mariners established these grants to further the team’s commitment to addressing racial inequity and social and economic injustice.

The Mariners Care Foundation looks to improve health outcomes for members of the Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. The foundation prefers to make donations to organizations that focus on changing systems, especially through advocacy and research.

This year, Mariners Care will partner with these organizations through the Impact Grants.

Hopes and Dreams Foundation, Tacoma This foundation gives to families in need while spreading kindness and love to all. Hope is key for any person to dream.  The group aims to provide the type of environment that is caring for children’s optimal growth and development.

Rainer Athletes, Bellevue The mission of the Rainiers Athletes is to help students feel a sense of belonging and purpose by connecting coaches, families, mentors, and teachers. The organization partners with 12 Bellevue schools, 300 teachers, and 40 sports leagues in the community to connect with students who are difficult to reach. It is possible to volunteer as a mentor.

Southeast Youth and Family Services, SE Seattle and King County This organization provides mental health services, youth and family workshops, and early learning support that help children be ready when they start school. These children may not be as well prepared as some of their peers due to poverty, a need to learn English, or literacy issues.

Sustainable Seattle Interweave, Seattle Interweave helps accelerate the work of organizations in the area that try to improve the sustainability. Interweave provides advice on projects, assistance with administration, and fundraising.

Your Money Matters, Auburn Some people who struggle financially never learned about finances from a family member and, unfortunately, their children may not either. This organization addresses this gap in knowledge. Become a mentor by receiving some training and devoting 4-6 hours/month to helping youth and young adults learn strategies for money management.

The Mariners Care Equipment Donation Grant

Recently, Mariners’ staff selected ten high school baseball and softball programs to receive $5,000 grants for the Spring season. Any high school in Washington or Oregon can apply for the Mariners Care Equipment Donation Grant. The selection committee gives priority to schools that have financial need, are designated Title 1, and/or are trying to diversify their teams to reflect their school populations. Teams can use this money for playing and safety equipment and necessary field improvements.

This year, seven teams in Washington and three teams in Oregon received the grants. These are the Washington teams.

• Bethel High School Softball, Spanaway

• Chiawana High School Baseball, Pateros

• Federal Way High School Softball, Federal Way

• Franklin High School Baseball and Softball, Seattle

• Franklin Pierce High School Softball, Tacoma

• Pateros High School Baseball, Pateros

• Rogers High School Softball, Spokane

In Oregon,

• Hidden Valley High School Baseball & Softball, Grant's Pass

• Nyssa High School Baseball, Nyssa

• Roosevelt High School Baseball, Portland

Henry Foss High School in Tacoma was a previous recipient of this grant. Foss is right next to Cheney Stadium, the home of the Tacoma Rainiers. This is what their head softball coach, Jeff Ptolemy, said about help from the Mariners.

“Currently our school demographics represent Foss as a school with 69% students of color as well as 23 different languages spoken by our families combined. Our softball team is a representation of these demographics. In that 75 percent of our students qualify for free and reduced lunch, asking families for donations isn’t realistic. Even without the economic impact of COVID, our families have a hard time setting aside money for sports when the basic needs of the family are challenging to meet.”

Thank you, Mariners Care, from Seattle baseball fans!