Cincinnati Reds earn 2023 Allan H. Selig Award for Philanthropic Excellence
The Cincinnati Reds have been named recipient of the 2023 “Allan H. Selig Award for Philanthropic Excellence,” Major League Baseball announced Friday through the MLB Together platform.
The honor recognizes the organization’s annual “Reds Community Makeover” program, which serves as a community resource to provide revitalization efforts in underserved communities throughout the greater Cincinnati region.
The annual Reds Community Fund initiative, now in its 14th year, initially began as a field renovation project with P&G and has since transformed into a massive community-wide undertaking. As a result of the work through the annual Community Makeover program the Reds Community Fund, along with P&G, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and GE Aerospace, have invested more than $11 million through cash and in-kind support into some of Cincinnati’s most underserved communities since its inception in 2010.
Over the past two years, the Reds Community Fund and its partners focused on revitalizing the historic village of Lincoln Heights, Ohio. Incorporated in 1946, Lincoln Heights was the first African American self-governing community north of the Mason-Dixon line.
The transformative project spanned seven locations including:
• Lincoln Heights Elementary
— Resources were provided to the grade school’s STEM Lab, which is used by over 200 students daily. In addition, SonLight Power donated a solar energy field at the school that powers the STEM lab and provides an additional educational element for the entire school. As a result, teachers have been able to implement a student-led leadership program where fifth graders are assigned younger students to support as they attend the lab to learn. Murals were also commissioned and completed in the STEM lab and cafeteria.
• Lincoln Heights Health Center
— A new “Mother’s Room” was created at the center to host the CenteringPregnancy program, which brings a group of women due at the same time out of the exam room and into a comfortable group setting.
• Lincoln Heights Outreach, Inc.
— Building upgrades included a new food pantry serving over 150 diverse families per week, a senior citizens programming space which serves senior citizens with varying needs specifically those affected by Alzheimer’s Disease, and meeting rooms all of which are available for community use.
• Serenity Park
— Complete redesign and horticulture investment courtesy of the Cincinnati Zoo. The newly renovated park holds events year-round, including concerts, theater productions and movie nights, in addition to providing a play space for local children and a safe place for people of all ages to take walks, ride bikes and more.
• Sister Ann’s Courtyard
— The renovated space, which was previously unused, is designed with a new outdoor garden and courtyard, including covered areas, swings and a fire pit for public use.
• St. Monica’s Center
— The new “Teen Room” provides a safe space for young teens through a newly designed room with new paint, blinds, TV and chairs, all making the room much more inviting and inclusive. A series of murals were also completed.
• Memorial Field Athletic Complex
— Upgrades to the landscaping, entry way, concessions building, playground, hillside and ball fields highlighted the positive changes at one of the primary community activity and gathering spaces.
“The Reds Community Makeover program exemplifies the tremendous impact our Clubs are making in their communities,” said Baseball Commissioner Robert D. Manfred, Jr. “I congratulate the Castellinis and the entire Reds Community Fund for this well-earned recognition. We are proud to celebrate their efforts through our MLB Together platform.”
“We are extremely honored the Reds Community Makeover program has been selected by Major League Baseball as recipient of the Allan H. Selig Award,” said Reds CEO Bob Castellini. “The entire Reds organization understands serving the communities in Reds Country is a priority and we thank Major League Baseball for elevating the importance of philanthropy through the creation of this award. The Reds Community Makeover is a remarkable annual effort that illustrates the power of baseball to unite iconic businesses and civic organizations in community efforts. We gratefully share this prestigious recognition with P&G, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden, and GE Aerospace whose overwhelming generosity brought these neighborhood transformations to life.”
The Reds were selected by a panel that assessed the Club’s ability to address or respond to an important community need or problem; produce desired community impact and outcomes; and analyzed the efforts that have significantly impacted the community. Club Finalists for the 2023 Selig Award for Philanthropic Excellence (as well as their programs or causes), included the following: Arizona Diamondbacks (Arizona Diamondbacks and Honeywell Futureshaper Robotics Competition), Kansas City Royals (Shut Out The Stigma), Minnesota Twins (Twins Economic Advancement in the Marketplace – TEAM – Initiative), and the Pittsburgh Pirates (Chill Mobile). For more information, please visit MLBTogether.com.