Cubs Charities announces 2015 Diamond Project

Cubs Charities today announced the launch of the 2015 Cubs Charities Diamond Project. In 2014, Cubs Charities introduced the Diamond Project and awarded more than $330,000 to seven projects across Chicago to improve the quality, safety and accessibility of local baseball fields or indoor training facilities.

The Diamond Project expands opportunities for children to play baseball, create or enhance green space in underserved neighborhoods and foster a love of the game, particularly in the inner city where baseball has experienced a significant decline.

As part of the 2015 project kickoff, Cubs Charities will host an informational session Wednesday, May 6, at 10 a.m. in the Audi Club at Wrigley Field. Interested nonprofit, neighborhood-based organizations and schools in the Chicago area can email [email protected] to attend.

"Cubs Charities is proud to encourage health, fitness and a love of baseball for our city's youth through the Diamond Project," said Cubs Charities Board Chair Laura Ricketts. "We've seen a tremendous impact from the project's first year and look forward to providing new opportunities throughout Chicago moving forward."

Cubs Charities, with technical assistance from Local Initiatives Support Corporation Chicago (LISC), will identify communities in need of new or improved baseball fields. Cubs Charities also will donate 10 scoreboards to local fields in partnership with Daktronics, the manufacturer of the new scoring and video boards inside Wrigley Field. Applicants may request grants ranging from $5,000 to $100,000 from the Cubs Charities Diamond Project.

For additional information on the Cubs Charities Diamond Project and to learn how to apply, please visit www.cubs.com/diamondproject. Proposals are due by 5 p.m. Friday, June 19.