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Program Summary
The Pirates Charities Fields for Kids program provides financial support to improve youth baseball and/or softball facilities via matching grants to nonprofit organizations and local government units that operate baseball and/or softball programs.

Matching Grant Size
$1,000 - $5,000

All grants for the 2009 season have been distributed.
Please check back often for application dates for 2010 Fields for Kids grants

Matching Grant Parameters
The Fields for Kids program is open to any independent nonprofit tax-exempt organization, school or local government unit that operates youth baseball and/or softball programs within the Pittsburgh Pirates market area, which encompasses Western Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio, West Virginia, and a small section of northwest Maryland.* Any organization operating baseball or softball programs for youth that has secured funds equal to or exceeding the request amount (secured funds can include in-kind contributions of materials or labor) may apply for a grant. Organizations must be governed by active boards and have sufficient revenue to operate their leagues. Organizations receiving grants will be required to prominently display provided signage recognizing Pirates Charities' support.

Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting (back left), catcher Ryan Doumit (back middle) and Pirates President Frank Coonelly (back right) join the Pirate Parrot and children from the Pittsburgh area to launch the Field for Kids program. (Pirates Photo)

Matching grants between $1,000-$5,000 are available for the renovation or construction of baseball and/or softball fields used primarily by youth. Eligible projects will include the upgrading of essential field components, such as new sod, infield, fencing, dugouts, and irrigation systems; upgrades to the overall facility to include lights, bleachers, batting cages, scoreboards and concession stands. The purchase of land, parking lots, press boxes and restrooms are ineligible. Routine maintenance of fields will not qualify.

Renovation/construction projects must be completed within one year from the date of the grant award.

Administration
The Pirates Charities Fields for Kids program is administered by Pirates Charities staff who will review all requests, pay matching grants, work closely with grantee organizations to ensure project completion, and maintain program records.

Application Process
Organizations must complete an application and submit all required documents for consideration. Applications will be accepted and reviewed throughout the year. Final grant determinations will be made by Pirates Charities in April, June, and September. Please check back often for application dates for 2010 Fields for Kids grants.

*The Pittsburgh Pirates marketing area includes the following counties: in Pennsylvania: Allegheny; Armstrong; Beaver; Bedford; Blair; Butler; Cambria; Clarion; Clearfield; Crawford; Elk; Erie; Fayette; Forest; Greene; Huntingdon; Indiana; Jefferson; Lawrence; Mercer; Somerset; Venango; Warren; Washington; Westmoreland. In West Virginia: Barbour; Brooke; Doddridge; Grant; Hampshire; Hancock; Harrison; Lewis; Marion; Marshall; Mineral; Monongalia; Ohio; Pleasants; Preston; Ritchie; Taylor; Tucker; Tyler; Wetzel. In Ohio: Ashtabula; Belmont; Carroll; Columbiana; Coshocton; Geauga; Guernsey; Harrison; Holmes; Jefferson; Mahoning; Monroe; Noble; Portage; Stark; Summit; Trumbull; Tuscarawas; Washington; Wayne. In Maryland: Allegany; Garrett.