The Players Trust: Inspring Others

Since 1996, the Major League Baseball Players Trust has touched the lives of thousands of disadvantaged people in hundreds of communities around the world.

The 501(c) 3 charitable foundation was created by Major Leaguers in 1996 to help those less fortunate by facilitating players’ efforts to volunteer in support of causes close to their hearts and encouraging others to do the same.

"The Players Trust provides players with the opportunity to assist people who need our help," Torii Hunter said. "As players, we are in position to lend a hand, and the Trust helps us connect with the people who need our support the most."

The Trust is administered by three Trustees -- MLBPA executive director Michael Weiner and the PA's two player representatives, Curtis Granderson and Craig Counsell, in conjunction with a Trust Committee made up of players from each team.

The Trust is funded through contributions from all MLBPA members, a percentage of licensing revenue and special events such as the the Players Trust Golf Tournament and various fundraising efforts.

The Players Trust:

• Partners with Volunteers of America to provide affordable programs and services to thousands of kids and their families such as daycare, safe playgrounds, and dental and health care;
• Inspires thousands of high school students across the United States to join the Action Team and volunteer in their own communities;
• Provides life-saving medicines and preventive treatment for children in the Dominican Republic;
• Teaches baseball and important life skills to disadvantaged children from inner cities across
  the U.S.;
• Supports long-term rebuilding efforts in the hurricane-ravaged Gulf Region;
• Funds recovery assistance and long-term rebuilding efforts in Haiti;
• Provides micro-financing for needy women and families living in the Dominican Republic to launch businesses and break the cycle of poverty in their communities;
• Partners with The Wall Street Journal Classroom Edition to deliver an inspiring service-learning curriculum to 1 million high school students each month;
• Treats disadvantaged kids to Major League games, complete with hotdogs, souvenirs and personal welcomes from the players;
• Honors the performances of Players Choice Award winners with generous donations to the charities of their choice;
• Has provided more than $12 million in total contributions to date.