Measuring Our Impact
Since its inception in 2001, the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation has reached more than 13 million young people in communities across all 50 states and beyond. This includes the over 600,000 kids to date who have access to one of our 120 completed Youth Development Parks.
Along with our partners and corporate sponsors, we achieve impressive results and touch more young lives every year.
2024 Impact Results:
- Over 1.4 million kids served in 47 states and Washington, D.C.
- 1,237 schools, youth partners, and law enforcement agencies engaged in 484 communities.
- 410,738 youth reached by Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation Online Portal.
- 32,511 kids participated in the Badges for Baseball program with the help of 1,528 youth mentors and law enforcement volunteers.
- 35,123 teachers, coaches, law enforcement officers, teachers, volunteers, and other mentors.
- 655 fully operational mobile STEM Centers in 25 states and D.C., impacting over 275,000 youth with the help of 17,000 youth mentors and teachers.
Measuring Up
In a 2016-2018 study, University of Michigan researchers found that youth at 14 Badges for Baseball program sites are highly likely to experience positive youth development because of their participation.
Researchers compared 274 Badges for Baseball participants with 211 participants in other exemplary after-school youth enrichment programs. The key results revealed significant improvement among Badges participants for 14 measured outcomes:
- Empathy skills
- Social competence
- Conflict resolution skills
- Peer support
- Academic competence
- Self-worth
- Personal values
- Community engagement
- Leadership ability
- Perceptions of substance use risk
- Aggressive behavior
- School disciplinary actions
- Positive Beliefs about Police
- Life Satisfaction
Notably, Badges for Baseball participants improved at a significantly faster rate than their counterparts on reports of personal values, including personal commitments to be ethical, honest, hard-working, and responsible.
We remain committed to evaluating our efforts, making refinements, and sharing what works with the youth development community.
Building Stronger Communities Together
Among many notable achievements, our volunteer teams:
- Supported 84 high schools/community organizations.
- Built or renovated 415,000+ square feet of fitness, outdoor, and nutrition spaces.
- 1,700 meals and take-home kits
- Impacted over 120,000 students, families, volunteers, teachers, and coaches.
