More Than Softball: Inaugural Season Generates Nearly $10,000 for Local Nonprofits and Creates Lasting Community Impact Across Grand Forks

August 24 2026
GRAND FORKS, N.D. – The Grand Forks Spitfires made their debut in 2026 with a mission that extended far
beyond the softball field. Throughout the organization’s inaugural season, the Spitfires worked alongside local
businesses, nonprofit organizations, fans, players and community partners to create meaningful experiences
and make a lasting impact throughout Grand Forks.

From raising nearly $10,000 for local nonprofits and collecting more than 1,700 pounds of food to supporting
youth sports, creating local jobs and recognizing community members, the Spitfires’ first season established a
foundation for what the organization hopes will become a long-standing tradition of giving back.

Spitfires Generate $9,933 for Local Nonprofits
Through jersey auctions, Miracle Minute donations, ticket fundraisers, silent auctions and other community
initiatives, the Grand Forks Spitfires and their partners generated $9,933 for local nonprofit organizations
during the 2026 season.

The fundraising efforts included:
● $3,810 raised through the Ladies Night Jersey Auction
● $3,873 raised through Miracle Minute powered by First International Bank & Trust
● $1,300 raised in July through Strikeout the Stigma powered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of North
Dakota
● $930 raised through silent auctions, donations and ticket fundraisers
● 1,739 pounds of food collected during the Jersey Food Drive powered by Farmers Union Insurance
● 20 trees planted throughout Grand Forks through Home Run for Roots powered by Oxford Realty
The Spitfires’ inaugural season demonstrated how partnerships at the ballpark can extend well beyond
traditional sponsorships, creating opportunities for businesses, fans and the organization to work together in
support of the Grand Forks community.

More Than 1,700 Pounds Collected During Jersey Food Drive
One of the Spitfires’ largest community initiatives of the summer was the Farmers Union Insurance Jersey
Food Drive, which collected 1,739 pounds of food to support those in need.

Fans were encouraged to bring three canned or boxed food items to the Jersey Food Drive in exchange for a
free inaugural season jersey. The response from the community was incredible. At games following the food
drive, the stands became a sea of orange, with fans proudly wearing the jerseys they received for giving back.
It was a powerful visual representation of the generosity of Spitfires fans and the impact the community can
make when it comes together. The effort was one of several initiatives during the season designed to connect
the excitement surrounding Spitfires softball with causes important to the Grand Forks community.

Planting Roots in Grand Forks

The Spitfires’ impact during their inaugural season also extended to workforce development and bringing new
residents to the Grand Forks community.

The organization welcomed new full-time team members who relocated to Grand Forks and planted roots in
the community while helping launch the franchise.

The Spitfires also:
● Signed 18 players to the inaugural roster
● Hired 29 game-day team members, with approximately 20% experiencing their first job
● Welcomed 13 summer interns, with 100% traveling from outside North Dakota to spend the summer
working and living in Grand Forks

The internship program provided college students with hands-on experience working in professional sports
while introducing a new group of young professionals to Grand Forks and the surrounding community.
Throughout the summer, interns and seasonal employees gained experience across areas of the organization
while helping create the game-day experience for Spitfires fans.

Celebrating the People Who Make Grand Forks Special
Community recognition became an important part of the Spitfires’ inaugural season.
Throughout the summer, the organization used its games and community platforms to recognize individuals,
organizations and causes making a difference throughout the region.

Special theme nights and community celebrations included:
● America 250 Night
● DUI Enforcement All Stars Night / First Responders Night
● Girl Power Night
● Independence Day
● Ladies Night at the Ballpark
● Limitless Night
● Mental Health Recovery Night
● Run to the Ballpark Night
● Service Club Showdown / City of Grand Forks Night
● STEM Night

Beyond theme nights, the Spitfires created opportunities for community members to experience memorable
moments directly on the field.

During the inaugural season, the Spitfires celebrated five Women Who Inspire nominees during Ladies Night,
welcomed 90 Field of Dreams participants, recognized the organization’s first Share the Glove recipient, and
included 63 young fans in on-field and in-game promotions.

The season even included one particularly unforgettable moment when an on-field proposal ended with a
“yes.”

Making an Impact Through Youth Sports
Connecting young athletes with Spitfires players and coaches was another major focus of the inaugural
season.

Through camps, youth-team experiences and community partnerships, young softball players had
opportunities to learn directly from athletes competing at the Northwoods League level. Grand Forks Girls
Fastpitch received the Northwoods League Share the Glove grant, providing the organization with more than
$2,000 in Rawlings equipment to support local youth softball.

Spitfires players and coaches also provided direct instruction and interaction with young athletes during
camps throughout the summer. Youth teams attending Spitfires games were able to meet players, collect
autographs, participate in high-five tunnels and take the field alongside Spitfires players during starting
lineups. These experiences allowed young athletes to see the next level of their sport up close while building
connections with players they could look up to throughout the season.
Spitfires Represented on the Northwoods League Stage

The inaugural season also provided an opportunity for Grand Forks to be represented on a larger stage.
The Spitfires sent talent to the Northwoods League All-Star festivities, where Matti Kwarta captured the Home
Run Challenge title. Kwarta, who plays collegiately at San Diego State University, was a major part of the
Spitfires’ inaugural roster and helped showcase the level of talent that came to Grand Forks during the team’s
first season.

Her Home Run Challenge victory added another milestone to an already historic inaugural year, putting both
Kwarta and the Spitfires in the spotlight while representing Grand Forks among the Northwoods League’s top
talent.

Giving Time Back to the Community
The Spitfires’ commitment to Grand Forks extended beyond fundraising and game nights, with players and
staff participating in volunteer and community events throughout the year.

Four Spitfires players volunteered at the Great Falls Children’s Museum Golf Tournament, supporting local
youth programs and connecting with community members.

The organization also joined the Sertoma Park Fourth of July Celebration, operating an interactive booth
that gave families an opportunity to connect with the team outside the ballpark.

The Spitfires partnered with the YMCA for Healthy Kids Day, where mascot Susie helped promote active
and healthy lifestyles while interacting with local families.

These appearances helped introduce the Spitfires to the community while giving players, staff and the
organization opportunities to give back to the people supporting the team.

Supporting More Than 20 Organizations

Throughout the inaugural season, the Grand Forks Spitfires supported more than 20 organizations through
fundraising, donations, partnerships, recognition, volunteer efforts and community programming.
A major part of that support came through the Miracle Minute, where fans came together at Spitfires games to
raise money directly for local organizations and causes. These in-game fundraisers gave nonprofits a platform
to share their missions while allowing fans to make an immediate impact right from the stands.
From Miracle Minute donations and ticket fundraisers to special events, donated tickets and community
partnerships, the Spitfires made giving back a fundamental part of the organization’s first season. These
efforts were made possible by the incredible fans, businesses and community partners who helped turn a
summer of softball into meaningful support for organizations throughout Grand Forks.
Building Something Bigger Than Softball

The 2026 season represented the beginning of a new era of summer sports in Grand Forks, but the Spitfires’
goal from the beginning was to create an organization whose impact could be felt beyond wins and losses.
In just one summer, thousands of fans came together around Spitfires softball while local nonprofits received
additional support, young athletes gained new opportunities, college students traveled to Grand Forks for
professional experience and community members were celebrated on and off the field.
The inaugural season created the starting point for an organization that intends to continue growing alongside
the community it represents.

Looking Ahead

With the inaugural season complete, the Grand Forks Spitfires are already hard at work developing Season 2,
with plans to build on the foundation created during an unforgettable first year.
As the organization looks ahead, the goal is simple: be bigger, be better and make an even greater impact.
The Spitfires plan to continue strengthening relationships with local nonprofits, youth sports organizations,
businesses and community groups while creating even more opportunities for players, staff, partners and fans
to give back.

Season 1 showed what is possible when a team and its community come together. Going into Season 2, the
Spitfires hope to reach more people, support more organizations, create more opportunities and continue
making Grand Forks a stronger community both on and off the field.

The Spitfires would like to thank the fans, partners, nonprofits, volunteers, seasonal employees, interns,
players and community members who helped make the inaugural season possible. Season 1 was just the
beginning, and the Spitfires are excited to make an even greater impact in Season 2.
The first season established the foundation. Season 2 is an opportunity to build on it.

2026 Community Impact at a Glance
$9,933 generated for local nonprofits
$3,810 raised through the Ladies Night Jersey Auction
$3,873 raised through Miracle Minute
$1,300 raised through Strikeout the Stigma
$930 raised through silent auctions, donations and ticket fundraisers
1,739 lbs. of food collected during the Jersey Food Drive
20 trees planted through Home Run for Roots

20+ organizations supported
90 Field of Dreams participants
63 young fans featured in in-game promotions
5 Women Who Inspire nominees recognized
13 summer interns who traveled from out of state
29 game-day team members employed
18 players signed to the inaugural roster
$2,000+ in Rawlings equipment awarded to Grand Forks Girls Fastpitch through the NWL Share the Glove
grant

About the Grand Forks Spitfires
The Grand Forks Spitfires are a Northwoods League summer collegiate softball organization based in Grand
Forks, North Dakota. Following their inaugural season in 2026, the Spitfires are committed to growing the
game of softball, strengthening connections throughout the community and creating unforgettable
experiences for fans of all ages. The Spitfires are a fan-first, experience-driven organization committed to
doing “Fun Done Differently.” The team’s EPIC values – Experience-Obsessed, Positive Energy, Innovating
Constantly and Community-Rooted – guide everything the organization does, from the experience at the
ballpark and on-field entertainment to community partnerships, youth engagement and opportunities to give
back. More than just softball, the Spitfires are about community, connection and creating nights to remember.
As the organization heads into Season 2, the Spitfires remain focused on building something Grand Forks
can be proud to call its own. Learn more at SpitfiresSoftball.com.