South Williamsport, Pa. — After receiving nearly 200 applications, Little League has announced that $229,000 in funding has been distributed to a total of 54 local Little League programs.
The grant program was launched in coordination with the year-long Girls with Game 50 Celebration that honors 50 years of girls and women within the Little League program along with the organization’s continued commitment to female inclusion.
After a thorough review of all the applications by Little League International and Region staff members, 54 leagues were selected to receive a #GWG50 League Enhancement Grant in 2024, totaling more than $229,000 in funding support.
This includes two Pennsylvanian leagues: Bradford, Pa.’s Regional Little League, and Lewisburg Pa.’s Little League.
“As an organization, we understand the ever-growing need that our local leagues have as they try and add, develop, and enhance their softball programs in order to provide more opportunities to the girls within their communities,” said Liz DiLullo Brown, Little League Executive Vice President.
“We hope the funds provided to these 52 leagues will help towards the growth of our program and serve as an inspiration to other leagues around the world. With a continued focus on female inclusion, as well as providing improved access and opportunities, our organization is committed to continuing to find additional resources to support all our local league programs through our philanthropic efforts moving forward”, DiLullo Brown continued.
The #GWG50 Grant Program kicked off in February, in coordination with the celebration of National Girls & Women in Sports Day, and focused on providing local leagues and volunteers with financial resources needed to enhance the Little League experience at the grassroots level and provides opportunities in two key areas – league enhancements and volunteer development.
As part of the application process, local leagues had the opportunity to apply for a league enhancement grant within three areas of focus:
Currently chartered baseball programs adding softball: Existing local Little League programs that are currently only offering baseball opportunities are eligible to apply to add softball to their offerings.
Newly affiliated Little League softball programs: Softball Program Grants are available for leagues, not currently affiliated with Little League in any way, that are looking to start their operations of Little League’s softball program. Leagues must charter softball teams to be eligible to receive this grant.
Current softball program enhancement opportunities: Existing Little League softball programs are encouraged to apply to enhance and grow their programs through innovative marketing efforts or establishment in additional divisions of play in LLS.
Along with the league grants provided above, Little League also awarded thousands of dollars in scholarship support to help its female volunteers with individual coaching and umpire development opportunities as part of this program. Additionally, Little League is committing a portion of the total grant funding to support scholarship opportunities at their own female-focused events, including the Maria Pepe Little League Baseball Legacy Series in June and the Girls with Game Experience in October.
Through its newly launched Philanthropy and Social Impact initiatives , Little League plans to continue grant making opportunities like this in the future to provide additional needed support its local leagues, volunteers, and communities. To learn more about these initiatives, including how you can help support one of the four philanthropic programs already established, visit LittleLeague.org/Impact .
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