Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation

What Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation does

The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit foundation founded in 2001 and headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. It delivers youth development programming to at-risk and underserved children across the United States through three operating pillars: (1) Youth Mentoring Programs — including the signature Badges for Baseball crime prevention/mentoring program, instructional camps, College Day Experience, and the I'm GREAT initiative; (2) Youth Development Parks — purpose-built and renovated youth sports facilities; and (3) the STEM Center Initiative, which installs hands-on science, technology, engineering, and math learning centers in underserved schools and community sites. The foundation's primary technology asset is the Ripken Foundation Portal, a web-based resource that delivers curriculum guides, training materials, and program tools to its 1,800+ mentor network.

The foundation operates a community-led go-to-market model rather than a traditional sales motion: programs are delivered through direct partnerships with 1,370+ schools, law enforcement agencies, and youth-serving nonprofits across 580 communities in 45 states and Washington, D.C. There is no fee for participation; the foundation funds operations through a mix of corporate sponsorships (Hall of Fame and Platinum tiers including Group 1001, Devon Energy, Exelon, MLB, BGE, Whiting-Turner, and UMMS), individual donations, and restricted federal grants (notably OJJDP through the U.S. Department of Justice). Strategic distribution alliances — including a co-development partnership with Major League Baseball and Nike on the Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) instructional league program across 14 states, and a 2026 NASCAR primary sponsorship with Daniel Suarez and Spire Motorsports — extend reach and donor visibility. Co-founded by Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., the foundation has positively impacted over 14 million youth cumulatively and reached 1.6 million in 2025 alone, with 870 STEM Centers and 126 Youth Development Parks completed in the same year.

Name

Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation

Legal name

Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation

Website

https://ripkenfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, founded in 2001 and based in Baltimore, that delivers youth mentoring, Youth Development Parks, and STEM Centers to underserved children across 45 U.S. states through partnerships with 1,370+ schools, law enforcement agencies, and youth-serving organizations, funded by corporate sponsorships, donations, and federal grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development Nonprofit Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (624110), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth Mentoring & Positive Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAD), After-School, Tutoring & Academic Enrichment Nonprofits (BPAGADAC)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• Mentoring initiatives
• STEM education centers
• Youth sports facilities
• Crime prevention mentoring

Headquarters

HQ city

Baltimore

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization funded primarily through donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations. Donors include corporate sponsors like Group 1001, Devon Energy, Major League Baseball, and many others listed on the website as Hall of Fame and Platinum Sponsors.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free youth development programs to underserved youth across the United States. Its core offerings are organized around three pillars: Youth Mentoring Initiatives (including the signature Badges for Baseball crime prevention and mentoring program, camps, College Day Experience, Healthy Choices Healthy Children, and I'm GREAT), Youth Development Parks (building and renovating safe sports facilities in underserved communities), and the STEM Center Initiative (installing hands-on STEM learning centers in schools and community sites).

Product overview

The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation operates as a youth development nonprofit with three main pillars: Youth Mentoring Programs, Youth Development Parks, and STEM Center Initiative. The Foundation offers a portfolio of programs including Badges for Baseball (their signature crime prevention mentoring program), instructional camps, College Day Experience, and the MLB/Nike/CRSF Instructional League Program. They provide a Resource Portal platform that gives mentors access to curriculum guides and training materials. The Foundation also runs a NASCAR sponsorship initiative and hosts fundraising events like Ripkens Uncorked and the Annual College Season Tip-Off Luncheon.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Quantifiable outcome

• 14 million underserved youth positively impacted since 2001
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.

• Nike RBI / MLB (Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint initiative with Major League Baseball and Nike to deliver instructional baseball and softball leagues to underserved communities. The program supports 30 youth-serving organizations across 14 states, providing cash grants, camp opportunities, and equipment.
• University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to open new STEM Centers in Maryland communities, combining healthcare community connections with STEM education initiatives.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Frederick CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost partner for the 3rd Annual Badges for Baseball Camp, delivering crime prevention and mentoring programming to youth in Frederick County.
• Spire MotorsportsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPrimary sponsor in multiple NASCAR events. The foundation's orange and white No. 7 Chevrolet featuring the Ripken Foundation logo kicked off the 2026 NASCAR season with driver Daniel Suarez at the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium.
• Daniel SuarezmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerNASCAR driver partnering with the foundation as primary sponsor in multiple events. Partnership designed to expose the foundation's 25th anniversary work to new audiences through motorsports.
• Major League BaseballcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHall of Fame sponsor with logo displayed on website. MLB supports the foundation's youth baseball and softball programming initiatives.
• Schools (1,370+)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEducational institutions partnering with the foundation to deliver youth mentoring programs, host STEM Centers, and provide Youth Development Parks to their students and communities.
• Law Enforcement AgenciescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolice departments and law enforcement agencies participating in the Badges for Baseball program, providing mentors who work alongside coaches to build positive relationships with youth.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/calripkensrfdn
• Facebookfacebook.com/calripkensrfdn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cal-ripken-sr.-foundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation