Helping America's underserved children rise to find their individual greatness

Our Mission

Our mission is to inspire, support and promote a pathway for underserved and poverty-stricken children within America’s most at-risk communities to rise to find their individual greatness!

the jerry ford Grow the Game Fund

In 2021, Rise 2 Greatness launched a program dedicated to providing opportunities for baseball and softball players from the many underserved and at-risk communities across America.

This fund is a partnership of Rise 2 Greatness, current and former MLB players and corporate partners from across America.

If you know of a player in need of financial assistance to attend a showcase or to offset the expense of travel baseball/softball, please invite them to fill out an application here.

To donate to the Grow the Game Fund, text “GrowTheGame” to 41444 or click the button below.

The Jerry Ford Grow the Game Fund Provides

Increased access to baseball and softball for underserved and minority players
Free youth camps across America as the entry into baseball/softball
Funding for youth players to enter programming right in their neighborhoods
Gear packages for underserved athletes
Financial assistance for players to attend showcases and tournaments of their choice and sponsorship to remove entry barriers and expense of travel baseball/softball
Partnerships with like-minded individuals and organizations with shared missions

celebration of greatness and fore the kids celebrity charity golf tournament

Celebrating greatness in and around baseball and philanthropy and enjoying a day on the golf course while raising funds for children from America’s underserved and at-risk communities through The Jerry Ford Grow the Game Fund.

GROW THE GAME FREE YOUTH BASEBALL/SOFTBALL CAMPS

Rise 2 Greatness works with community partners and sponsors to create lifelong fans by introducing over 500 children each camp to the games of baseball and softball, cultivating positive memories on the field, and providing hands-on instruction from current and former Major League Baseball players and local high school and collegiate athletes. Following a camp, we look for sustainable ways to continue our investment in the local baseball and softball community.

celebrity softball game

Star-studded mash-up of professional athletes and celebrities, including former MLB and NFL players, with proceeds benefitting the Jerry Ford Grow the Game Fund for underserved youth across America. Celebrities pass down their wisdom to the next generation during our Grow the Game Youth Baseball/Softball Camp prior to the game, selecting four camp participants to compete in a youth home run derby. Set to return in 2024.