At communities around the world, donations are collected at Little League® fields to provide financial support for local programs. At the 2016 Little League Baseball® World Series, these fan contributions will be benefiting youth sporting organizations in all of Lycoming County. In recognition of the 100th Anniversary of the First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania (FCFP), the “pass the can” donations collected at this year’s tournament will be used to create the Little League Fund for Youth Sports.
“Since our founding in 1939, the greater Williamsport community has not only embraced Little League International, but, perhaps more importantly, has also supported the local programs that provide all our children a meaningful experience,” said Stephen D. Keener, Little League President and CEO. “The First Community Foundation Partnership of Pennsylvania has been instrumental in our success as an organization, and in enhancing the lives of all our neighbors in Lycoming County, through their philanthropic efforts. We are pleased to honor their anniversary, and to help them create a fund that can support youth sports in our community for years to come.”
Over its 100-year history, FCFP has contributed more than $1.5 million in grants to support Little League’s operations in South Williamsport, Pa. In 1958, through the Grit Publishing Company Trust, in memoriam of Howard J. Lamade Sr., Little League was granted $35,000 to purchase 29 acres of land for its current location. In recent years, FCFP has contributed to the renovation of the World of Little League: Peter J. McGovern Museum and Official Store, and helped Little League celebrate its 75th Anniversary in 2014 with the Fazzino Art Project, featuring world-renowned 3-D pop artist, Charles Fazzino. Also, FCFP supports the the Little League Challenger Division® Exhibition Game at the Little League Baseball World Series, providing nearly $100,000 over the past six years to provide televised coverage of the game on WVIA. This year’s game will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 27 at Volunteer Stadium.
“Little League is a great asset to our region and FCFP is proud to have supported them over the years,” said Jennifer D. Wilson, FCFP President. “We are appreciative of the partnership with them to establish the Little League Fund for the betterment of youth sports in Lycoming County”
The Little League Fund for Youth Sports will be available to all community-based youth sports organizations with a 501c3 status, focused on providing healthy, sporting opportunities for children 14 years old and younger. In addition to the moneys raised through the pass-the-can donations, Little League will reallocate the balance of an existing fund, approximately $34,000, to create the Fund for Youth Sports. More details about the grant application process will be available through FCFP at a later date.
Previously used to offset the cost of operating the tournament, this will be the second year that Little League has supported community organizations through the “pass the can” contributions at the Little League Baseball World Series. Last year, more than $35,000 was divided equally among six community organizations to honor their support of Little League International.