When All-Star Curtis Granderson is not busy hitting home runs at Yankee Stadium, he is constantly working to improve the lives of children around the world. In 2007, Curtis established his organization, Grand Kids Foundation, to improve education for children around the country.
The Foundation focuses on raising funds for educational field trips, science and art initiatives and foreign language software. Curtis learned the true values of a solid education from his parents who were both teachers in the Chicago public school system. Curtis is only one of twenty-six Major League Baseball (MLB) players and coaches to have a four-year college degree. Since 2007, Grand Kids Foundation has given over $80,000 to inner city schools and athletic youth programs. Curtis is also a spokesperson for MLB’s RBI program, which seeks to revive baseball throughout the inner cities. From 2006 to 2008, Curtis was MLB Overseas Ambassador to China, Europe and South Africa. MLB Players Association also recently awarded the Marvin Miller Man of the Year award to Curtis for his outstanding community service. In 2009, Curtis was selected to represent MLB in First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move campaign to fight obesity in children around the country.
If Curtis Granderson could manage to be in two places at the same time, he would. He would be playing Center Field at Yankee Stadium and raising funds to improve education for inner city children. However, Curtis is only one man. It is truly amazing how Curtis is able to play 162 baseball games, lead MLB in runs scored, be tied for third in MLB for home runs, start in Center Field for the American League All-Star team and visit the White House…all while continuing to improve the quality of education in the inner city. To learn more about Grand Kids Foundation visit GrandKidsFoundation!
About Curtis and the Grand Kids Foundation
In 2007, Curtis Granderson founded the Grand Kids Foundation to focus on improving the educational experience for youth nationwide as well as helping to re-establish baseball opportunities for inner city youths. Through a variety of yearly events such as his annual celebrity basketball game, sponsorships and donations, the Grand Kids Foundation will be able to achieve many of Curtis’ goals within the community. Curtis is committed to making education the focal point of his message to youth. It is his passion, principles and vision that lead to the creation of the Grand Kids Foundation. In addition to founding and serving on the board of this charitable organization, he attends fundraisers throughout the year to raise funds supporting educational causes.
The Grand Kids Foundation has awarded $80,000 in grants to various programs and schools throughout the nation since its inception. In 2009, Curtis released a children’s book, All You Can Be, which shares personal stories from his youth encouraging children to chase after their dreams. The book-included artwork from fourth-graders throughout the state of Michigan following a contest held statewide. Proceeds from All You Can Be benefit the Grand Kids Foundation.
For his work with schools, Curtis was named the 2009 MLBPA Marvin Miller Man of the Year, and has been nominated for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award three times (twice in Detroit and once in New York), which honors the MLB player that contributes the most off the field. He also acts as the official MLB Spokesperson for First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move anti-obesity campaign and has served for three years as MLB’s Overseas Ambassador.
Curtis is one of only a handful of MLB players and coaches with a four-year college degree, graduating from the Univ. of Illinois-Chicago with a double major in Business Management and Business Marketing. Both of his parents taught in Chicago Public Schools and his sister is a college professor. The Granderson family has always stressed education, and it has become Curtis’ passion.
Donations to the Grand Kids Foundation will go towards purchasing school supplies for youths in need, books and supplies for schools which do not get the funding they always need, establishing and providing equipment for inner city baseball programs. The next step of the foundation is to establish a nationwide grant program, which will assist schools with art projects, field trips, supplies and computer software that is education-based.
The foundation has zero operating costs, which means that every penny donated to the Grand Kids Foundation goes back into the education of our nation’s youth.And just when you think it couldn’t get any better Curtis also wrote a children’s book for charity. All proceeds benefit the Grand Kids Foundation!
He must have seen your story because he hit a major home run tonight!