Through its Share the Glove initiative, the Northwoods League Foundation has awarded over $220,000 in baseball and softball equipment to youth organizations across its 26 Northwoods League communities.

The Northwoods League Foundation will be awarding youth baseball and softball equipment through 26 Share the Glove grants to be awarded this Spring. Each grant includes one set of catcher’s gear (plus mitt), nine fielding gloves, six batting helmets, three bats and one bucket of practice balls.

Thirteen baseball grants and twelve softball grants will be awarded across the Northwoods League footprint to eligible youth organizations. Northwoods League affiliate teams will be coordinating the application process within their respective communities throughout the Spring, with the baseball and softball grants being allocated as follows:

Softball Grants: Battle Creek, MI (will have baseball grant also); Fond du Lac, WI; Grand Forks, ND; Green Bay, WI; Kalamazoo, MI; Kenosha, WI; Lakeshore, WI; Madison, WI; Rockford, IL; Royal Oak, MI; Traverse City, MI; Wausau, WI; Wisconsin Rapids, WI.

Baseball Grants: Bismarck, ND; Dickinson, ND; Duluth, MN; Eau Claire, WI; La Crosse, WI; Mankato, MN; Minot, ND; Richmond, IN; Rochester, MN; St. Cloud, MN; Thunder Bay, ONT; Waterloo, IA; Willmar, MN.

From applications collected locally, the Northwoods League Foundation will select one (1) recipient in each community. Organizations must meet the applicable criteria.

The Northwoods League Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that serves as a vehicle to transform a shared passion for baseball and softball into positive change and support for communities. The Mission of the Northwoods League Foundation is to utilize the games of baseball and softball to enrich the quality of life for children and families with an enduring and caring focus on Northwoods League communities.

Who is eligible to receive the grant?

The following criteria must be met in order to be eligible to receive the grant:

  • Organization qualifies as a 501(c)(3) organization, school or school-based program, or community-based organization as defined under US IRC section 501(c)(3);
  • Organization is not an individual, for-profit business, political, or religious organization;
  • Organization provides opportunities for kids ages 9-12 to play baseball or softball within a community that is served by a Northwoods League affiliate.

How will grant applications be accepted and awarded?
Affiliate teams will be accepting grant applications from organizations within their community. The Foundation will not directly accept applications. For the 2026 season, the Honkers are awarding a baseball grant to one area organization. The deadline to apply for the 2026 grant is May 1st.

If your organization wishes to apply for this grant, please complete the application form below. The grant recipient will be chosen by the Northwoods League Foundation and be notified by the Honkers Office in early May. Any questions relating to the application, or Share the Glove Initiative can be directed to the Rochester Honkers office by calling 507-289-1170.

Interested in being considered for this grant? Fill out the form below!

 

Share the GLOVE

Please fill out completely to be considered for a recipient of Share The GLOVE Grant Program. Thank You.