Washington Nationals Philanthropies, the official charitable arm of the Washington Nationals Baseball Club, hosted its annual signature fundraising event Monday, March 23, honoring the Congressional Baseball Game for Charity with the Power of Baseball Award. The Nationals Homecoming Gala, presented by The Annette M. and Theodore N. Lerner Family Foundation, raised nearly $1 million to further Nationals Philanthropies’ community impact work. Held at held at The Anthem at The Wharf, the event was attended by members of the Lerner family, the Washington Nationals baseball club and front office, corporate leaders and representatives from local government.
“As America’s favorite pastime, the game of baseball is embedded in the fabric of our nation. The Congressional Baseball Game for Charity demonstrates how our beloved sport can be used to bring people together while also raising critical funds to serve our communities,” said Marla Lerner Tanenbaum, founding chair and board member of Washington Nationals Philanthropies and principal owner, Washington Nationals. “We are proud to recognize the Congressional Baseball Game for Charity and the support it provides to organizations benefitting children and families across the region.”
The Congressional Baseball Game, an annual bipartisan charity event in which members of the United States Congress play, has been a staple in American tradition since its establishment in 1909. In 2025, the Congressional Baseball Game raised more than $2.75 million for its community-based beneficiaries. Congressional Sports for Charity, the charitable arm of the event, distributes the proceeds in support of numerous charities, including Washington Nationals Philanthropies, aiding underserved children and families in the Washington D.C. area. Since 2022, the organization has granted 11 Tim Johnson Memorial Scholarships to Nationals Youth Baseball Academy alumni to attend top universities around the country.
“The Congressional Baseball Game for Charity is a wonderful example of the unifying power of baseball, welcoming people of all ages, backgrounds and beliefs,” said Lauren McCarthy, Vice President and Executive Director, Washington Nationals Philanthropies. “We are proud to host this iconic event at Nationals Park each year, and we are grateful for the deep impact the resulting philanthropy and the Tim Johnson Memorial Scholarships have had on our programs, alumni and peer organizations throughout D.C.”
As America looks toward its Semiquincentennial in 2026, the Congressional Baseball Game serves as a powerful demonstration of how baseball, which has been woven into the fabric of America for generations, can be used to unite and uplift people from all backgrounds.
“Baseball brings us together. We meet as neighbors at local little league fields and fill ballparks across the country to cheer for our heroes,” said Mark Johnson, Chair of the Board of Congressional Sports for Charity. “With thanks to our Washington Nationals partners, Congressional Sports for Charity hosts a game that saw 30,000 fans composed of leaders from both parties, staff, families, friends and even Cabinet members. At the end of each game, one team will hoist the trophy, but the real winners are the local charities and scholarship recipients that benefit from the money raised by the game. Congressional Sports for Charity Foundation is proud to be a small part of something so big.”
Recipients of the Power of Baseball Award are true ambassadors of the #Nats4Good spirit and continue to be exemplary stewards of a commitment to community. Past recipients include:
2025 - Ian Desmond, Washington Nationals Former Player, Inaugural Player Ambassador to the Youth Baseball Academy
2024 - Anthony “Tony” Williams, Former Mayor of Washington D.C.
2023 - Ryan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals Former Player
2022 - Theodore N. Lerner, Washington Nationals Founding Managing Principal Owner
2021 - José Andrés for World Central Kitchen, COVID-19 Community Partner
2020 - Dave Martinez, Washington Nationals Manager (2018-25)
2019 - Inaugural Graduating Class, Nationals Youth Baseball Academy Scholar Athletes
2018 - JMS Little League All-Star Team, D.C. Little League Championship Finalist
2017 - Ross Eisenman, Nationals Youth Baseball Academy Mentor
The 2026 Nationals Homecoming Gala, the signature fundraising event for Nationals Philanthropies, returned to The Anthem at District Wharf once again this year. Nationals players, coaches and front office executives came together with partners and supporters to celebrate the organization’s community impact and kick off the Nationals’ upcoming season. The Homecoming Gala is the team’s premier off-the-field event with features including red carpet arrivals at The Wharf, a cocktail reception, silent auction, seated dinner, Power of Baseball Award presentation and exclusive after-party.
About Washington Nationals Philanthropies
Washington Nationals Philanthropies is the official charitable arm of the Washington Nationals. Its mission is to help children, families and communities thrive through sports-based youth development and access to healthy food. The organization delivers on this commitment by spurring investment in community-based programs that address the disparity of opportunity for residents of the region. Since 2007, the foundation has issued more than $7 million in grants to local organizations. Through its signature program, the Nationals Youth Baseball Academy, the organization operates year-round youth development and baseball instruction activities, as well as a holistic food access program – supporting the delivery of more than 1 million meals into the Washington, DC region since 2018. Since 2013, the organization has invested $50 million for facility construction and annual programming through the Academy. For more information about Nationals Philanthropies, visit nats4good.org.
About the Congressional Baseball Game for Charity
Since 1909 the Congressional Baseball Game has been an annual bipartisan event beloved by all and enjoyed by thousands. Members of the United States Congress from each party solidify friendships off the floor and on the field. Over the last century, the Congressional Baseball Game’s popularity has contributed to its evolution into a foundation called Congressional Sports for Charity. Created in 2016, Congressional Sports for Charity provides support to worthy and effective charities serving vulnerable children and families in the Washington DC area as well as scholarships to deserving local youth. These charities include the Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Washington and Washington Nationals Philanthropies along with the United States Capitol Police Memorial Fund in gratitude to the brave officers at the Republican practice shooting on June 14, 2017. To learn more, visit congressionalbaseball.org.