The team has donated more than $31 million to local charities helping children

 by Kenedee Fowler

As someone who lives within walking distance of Busch Stadium, I constantly see thousands of Cardinals fans gearing up for game day and strolling the streets all dressed in red. With an average of three home games a week, I’ve always wondered how big of an impact the team actually has on the city and communities of St. Louis.

The St. Louis Cardinals have an average game attendance of 40,000, and according to Greater St. Louis Inc., the team is set to generate more than $310 million in economic impact for the city of St. Louis metro during the 2024 season. While ticket sales, downtown dining and shopping from Cardinal fans pour funds back into the city, the team has a charitable foundation, Cardinals Care, which invests in programs for St. Louis area kids.

Established in 1997, Cardinals Care has built ball fields for children in under-resourced neighborhoods, orchestrated baseball and softball programs, and provided support in healthcare, education, mentoring and cultural arts. In 2023, the team gave 160 grants to 150 organizations including Angel Arms, Haven of Grace, Ready Readers, Urban Harvest, among others.

“The focus of the charity is kids and the mission is caring for kids," says Michael Hall, executive director of Cardinals Care and vice president of community relations. 

One of the foundation’s programs, Redbird Rookies, is a co-ed youth baseball and softball league for kids living in neighborhoods where neither sport is always available. Since the kickoff in 2004, the program has reached nearly 2,500 kids each year. Redbird Rookies also provides all the uniforms and equipment for each team.

This off-field extension also goes into the kids’ health with an annual summer fair for families to gain nutritional information and receive free health screenings. Redbird Rookie athletes are supported educationally in a summer reading program; in the cultural arts through a partnership with the Center of Creative Arts (COCA); with mentorships with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri and financially with the program’s $10,000 scholarship that is awarded up to 10 athletes who have completed the seventh grade and shown leadership and teamwork. Over the years, Cardinals Care has awarded $500,000 in scholarships to Redbird Rookies Saigh Scholars.

Based on the Cardinals Care 2023 numbers, more than $1 million in grants were distributed. These monies are raised through Cardinals Care charitable events with the biggest one being their Winter Warm-up fundraiser event. Every January, fans meet players, coaches and alumni, as well as gain access to the Cardinals Hall of Fame and Museum and the Cardinals Clubhouse.Funds are also raised through the Cardinals’ in-season weekly auctions and its Silent Auction program.

“We set up here at the Ballpark, but the auctions are also online, so fans are able to participate online,” Hall said. “We have all kinds of autographed items, memorabilia, and different things for fans to bid on.”

Another significant pillar of support for Cardinals Care is the 50/50 Raffle. Fans in Missouri can purchase a raffle ticket during weekend home games at Busch Stadium or online. The largest payout in the raffle jackpot happened in the last regular season weekend of 2022 (the last game for both Yadier Molina and Albert Pujols) when the total reached $355,000 and one lucky fan waltzed home with an additional $177,646. 

“The support of our fans and their support of the team trickles down into the support of the foundation,” says Hall. “As fans learn more about the foundation and what we do and people that have affinities towards what we do, that has helped with our support and our fundraising.” 

And if you’re wondering if the St. Louis Cardinals players are actually involved, the answer is yes, in some way, shape, or form. For example, Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker launched a new literacy program in partnership with Ready Readers this season called Walker’s Winners. The program challenges kids to set reading and math goals over the summer months, to be rewarded with a visit to a Cardinals game.  First baseman Paul Goldschmidt holds an annual baseball clinic for area little league teams, including participants in the Redbird Rookies program. 

“The level of participation for each player varies,” says Hall. “Whether they’ve signed items we’re able to use in our auctions or come in the winter during our Winter Warm-up.  That’s a big draw and a big part of the event – being able to see the players, hear their interviews, and get their autographs.”

Hall further explains that the Cardinals players recognize how community-minded Cardinals Care is and will participate in various ways to raise funds and support St. Louis area kids.

After 26 years the charitable foundation is steadily developing more programs, like the recently launched Nike RBI (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities). Similarly to Redbird Rookies, this Major League Baseball program provides local baseball and softball opportunities for youth ages 14 to 18.

Hall explains that some of the foundation’s goals are to spruce up their older ballfields and figure out better ways to support the St. Louis community, such as increasing their grant distribution amount.

“Our grants are between $1,000 to $3,000, but for our summer grant cycle, we are upping that from $1,000 to $5,000,” Hall says. “So, we’re able to put more money into the community and help organizations that need it.