Yankees named recipients of 2025 Selig Award for Philanthropic Excellence
The New York Yankees have been named recipients of the 2025 “Allan H. Selig Award for Philanthropic Excellence,” Major League Baseball announced Wednesday. As part of the MLB Together program, this honor recognizes the Yankees’ efforts through their “HOPE Week” initiative, which has provided a local, national and international media spotlight for the charitable endeavors of a wide range of non-for-profit organizations and inspiring community heroes. HOPE Weeks are also held by each of the Yankees’ minor league affiliate clubs. Since the initiative was first introduced in 2009 -- when the Yankees moved into the current Yankee Stadium -- nearly 500 total HOPE Week events have been held across the New York metropolitan area and in the cities of Yankees affiliates.
Born out of a wish to connect with their fans and community on a personal level, HOPE Week takes place each summer on five consecutive days during a homestand. On each day, the New York Yankees highlight a different individual, family or organization worthy of recognition and support, surprising honorees with a day celebrating their accomplishments. Outreach typically takes place away from Yankee Stadium — at the locations where honorees provide service to the community. The celebration then culminates with honorees joining the team for batting practice and ceremonies at Yankee Stadium prior to that evening’s home game.
Of vital importance during HOPE Week is maximizing attention and publicity for the honorees. The greatest challenge facing many not-for-profits is generating interest, awareness and funding for their missions.
“The HOPE Week initiative that the Yankees have built is an exemplary demonstration of the positive influence MLB Clubs can have through consistent and dedicated commitment to their communities,” said Commissioner of Baseball Robert D. Manfred, Jr. “We are proud of the Yankees for their meaningful work as we celebrate their impact and the opportunities they have created to connect with people, families and causes in the New York area and beyond.”
“Over the course of HOPE Week, we have met so many selfless individuals, and it has been our privilege to share their stories with the world,” said Jennifer Steinbrenner Swindal, New York Yankees General Partner /Vice Chairperson, New York Yankees Foundation President and New York Yankees Tampa Foundation Co-President. “The Yankees deeply appreciate receiving this prestigious honor from Major League Baseball, and we look forward to continuing our HOPE Week initiative for years to come.”
Over its 16 editions and nearly 500 HOPE Week events, the Yankees and their Minor League affiliates have contributed more than $1 million to their honorees' causes and generated recognition for critical community missions. Last season's HOPE Week projects included:
The Yankees honored Joan Hyland and her non-profit “Love, Nana,” which creates gift bundles of baby clothes for families in need throughout Long Island and the surrounding boroughs. Hyland receives daily help from the Backyard Players & Friends, an organization started by Hyland’s daughters that provides programming for teens and young adults with intellectual disabilities. Yankees players Aaron Judge, Paul Goldschmidt, Luke Weaver, Jonathan Loáisiga, Fernando Cruz, Ryan Yarbrough and Ian Hamilton, along with Third Base Coach Luis Rojas, First Base Coach Travis Chapman, Bullpen Coach Mike Harkey and Assistant Pitching Coach Preston Claiborne joined Nana (Joan Hyland), her family and the Backyard Players & Friends in a Yankee Stadium party suite to make care packages for new and expectant parents.
The Yankees honored Bottomless Closet, a nonprofit organization that for more than 25 years has provided women of limited means with a blueprint for entering the workforce and professional attire to wear when they present themselves at in-person interviews. Through resume coaching, interview preparation, and career development workshops, they empower women with tangible skills, self-confidence and resiliency. Carlos Rodón, Ben Rice, Austin Wells, Luis Gil and Yankees Major League Field Coordinator/Catching Coach Tanner Swanson toured the Bottomless Closet facility in midtown, assisted staff in unpacking inventory and helped clients select workplace clothing.
The Yankees honored Ed and Sue Goldstein and their nonprofit, The Valerie Fund, an organization that provides comprehensive medical and emotional care to children with cancer and blood disorders and their families. Anthony Volpe, Clarke Schmidt, Oswaldo Cabrera, Will Warren and Tim Hill, along with Manager Aaron Boone, Bench Coach Brad Ausmus, Field Coordinator Tanner Swanson and General Manager Brian Cashman, joined pediatric cancer patients, survivors and their families — all connected to The Valerie Fund — for a karaoke party at a venue across the street from Yankee Stadium.
Though brothers Carmine (16) and Vincent (12) cannot play sports due to their battle with muscular dystrophy, they pursue their passion for sports through announcing. The young Yankees fans spent time with Yankees pitchers Max Fried and Gerrit Cole, took a behind-the-scenes clubhouse tour and had the chance to fulfill their broadcast dreams by serving as announcers during a Yankees game.
On the final day of HOPE Week, the Yankees honored Brian Worthington, the founder of the non-profit NY Metro Black Pilots of America, which introduces underserved and underprivileged communities to the aviation industry. Trent Grisham, Jasson Domínguez, Oswald Peraza, Yerry de los Santos, JT Brubaker, Pitching Coach Matt Blake, First Base Coach Travis Chapman along with The Daily Show alum and comedian Roy Wood Jr., joined other NYMBPA volunteers and local students interested in aviation at Vaughn College, where the group went on a tour of the hangar and learned to fly on Redbird Flight Simulators.
The Yankees were selected for the first time as the award’s recipient by a panel that assessed the Club’s ability to address or respond to an important community need or problem; produce desired community impact and outcomes; and analyzed the efforts that have significantly impacted the community. Club Finalists for the 2025 Selig Award for Philanthropic Excellence (as well as their programs or causes) included the following: Arizona Diamondbacks (D-backs Inter-Tribal Youth Baseball & Softball Tournament), Boston Red Sox (Fenway Park Learning Lab), Kansas City Royals (Royals Literacy League) and the Los Angeles Dodgers (Wildfire Relief & Recovery). For more information, please visit MLBTogether.com.