SUPPORT OSHOF

Jays Care Foundation

Jays Care Foundation has made a significant impact across Canada by increasing access to sport for youth through inclusive baseball programs. As the charitable arm of the Toronto Blue Jays, it supports children facing financial, physical, and social barriers. Through initiatives like Challenger Baseball and Girls at Bat, the foundation promotes confidence, inclusion, and life skills, using sport as a powerful tool to strengthen communities nationwide.

Jays Care Foundation

Founded in 1992, Jays Care Foundation (Jays Care) runs programs and distributes grants to increase young people’s access to sport. Jays Care is the charitable arm of the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team. Jays Care states that 44% of parents/guardians cannot afford to enroll their children in organized sports. It also states that 40% of parents report adverse effects in their children from reduced participation in sport and play due to the pandemic. Charity Intelligence estimates Jays Care spent $17.2m on its programs and grants in its fiscal year ending November 2024 (F2024).

Challenger Baseball, Girls at Bat and additional Jays Care programs received 47% of program spending in F2024. Jays Care states that one in three girls report feeling unwelcome as a key factor stopping them from continuing in sport. Girls at Bat is an introductory level baseball program for those identifying as a girl. Across 490 sites, 13,949 girls participated in Girls at Bat programming in F2024. Challenger Baseball is a free program run for kids with physical and/or cognitive disabilities. Across 417 program sites, 14,968 young people participated in Challenger Baseball programming in F2024.

RBI, LIT and Indigenous Rookie League (IRL) received 30% of program spending in F2024. The IRL program encourages young people in Indigenous communities to take part in baseball. Across 175 sites, 6,218 Indigenous young people participated in IRL programming in F2024. RBI works with local schools to remove barriers to baseball participation. Across 472 sites, 24,221 young people participated in RBI programming in F2024.

Community Initiatives received 10% of program spending in F2024. Jays Care offers wrap-around supports for young people. The charity distributed 4,442 winter hampers with snowsuits, hats, mitts, and toys in F2024. It also distributed 220,000 books at a free book fair event.

Field of Dreams received 9% of program spending in F2024. Jays Care grants money to build safe and accessible places for sport. The charity reports it invested over $1.7m to fund 20 new projects in F2024.

The remaining 4% of program spending went to Partner Grants and Other Disbursements (3%) and Take Me Out to the Ballgame (1%).