Key Takeaways
- Cubs Charities is awarding $150,000 total, split into 15 grants of $10,000 each, to Chicago-based youth nonprofits.
- The program is the organization’s first fan-voted grant initiative, tied to the Cubs’ 150th anniversary as a National League franchise.
- Fans nominate organizations through June 29, then vote daily on 30 finalists to determine the 15 recipients.
- Eligible groups must be Chicago-based nonprofits in good standing that advance youth development through baseball, softball, or education.
- Winners receive grant funding plus tickets to a regular season home game and pregame recognition at Wrigley Field in September.
A Fan-Driven Grant Model Tied to a Milestone Anniversary
Cubs Charities has opened nominations for the first-ever Cubs Charities Community Awards, presented by the Robert R. McCormick Foundation. The program will distribute $150,000 to Chicago-based nonprofits, with the launch timed to the Chicago Cubs’ 150th anniversary as a National League franchise.
In its first year, the awards focus specifically on organizations advancing youth development through sports or education programming. Fifteen nonprofits will be selected, each receiving a $10,000 grant from the Cubs Charities Community Fund, a fund of the McCormick Foundation. The structure puts the selection in fans’ hands, a departure from grant programs decided solely by an internal committee or board.
How the Nomination and Voting Process Works
Nominations opened at 10 a.m. CT on June 8 at cubscharities.org and close at 4:59 p.m. CT on Monday, June 29. Each submission must include the organization’s mission statement and an explanation of its community impact.
After the nomination window closes, Cubs Charities and the McCormick Foundation will narrow the field to 30 finalists based on the clarity and strength of each submission. Those finalists advance to a public vote, where fans can cast one vote per day per valid email address. The 15 organizations with the most votes become grant recipients. Beyond the funding, winners get tickets to a Cubs regular season home game and recognition before a game at Wrigley Field in September.
A Track Record Behind the New Program
The awards extend a long-running funding pipeline. Since 2003, the Cubs Charities Community Fund has granted more than $27 million toward programs serving children and families. More broadly, Cubs Charities reports investing more than $62 million since 2009 to expand access to youth sports and education, reaching roughly 400,000 Chicagoans each year through partnerships with more than 100 local organizations across all 77 Chicago neighborhoods.
“Cubs Charities has been a longtime champion of grassroots organizations making a positive impact on Chicago’s youth,” said Lea Jesse, Cubs Charities Executive Director and Vice President. She framed the new awards as a way to expand that support while letting fans spotlight the nonprofits they see making a difference locally.
Why a Public Vote Reshapes the Grant’s Reach
By routing grant selection through fan nominations and daily voting, Cubs Charities is doing more than distributing money. The format pushes smaller, neighborhood-level organizations into public view and gives them a reason to mobilize their own supporters during the voting window. For the participating nonprofits, the visibility from finalist status and a Wrigley Field appearance can carry value beyond the $10,000 itself, particularly for groups working to build name recognition across Chicago’s youth sports and education landscape.
Source: Cubs Charities Community Awards, Chicago Cubs, June 8, 2026
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