Who We Serve » River Cats Foundation

Since the River Cats opened their inaugural season in Sacramento in 2000, their involvement in the community has been an important priority.  The management and employees of the River Cats have focused their efforts on family and youth-based activities in the greater Sacramento area and have spent countless hours in the community at schools, nonprofit organizations and civic clubs. All members of the various River Cats operations are keenly aware of their responsibilities to give back to the community via donations of time and available funds.

The River Cats Foundation is one program chosen by River Cats ownership and management to accomplish those goals. Any nonprofit organization that has a demonstrable record of supporting family and youth-based activities for a minimum of two years can apply for financial grants through the River Cats Foundation, Inc. Over the past three years, the River Cats Foundation has distributed in excess of $125,000 per year to a number of qualifying organizations including: River Cats Independence Field, Frances and Chuck Collings West Sacramento Teen Center, Optimist Club,  Late Night North Highlands, Sacramento Food Bank, California Musical Theatre/Music Circus, Communicare Health Services, various Boys and Girls Clubs, Developmental Disability Services, Disabled Sports USA, Girl Scouts, Sacramento Public Library Foundation, Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra, WAVE Camp for Disabled Youth, Children’s Receiving Home of Sacramento, First Tee Golf, Special Olympics, and many others. In general, the organizations benefiting from the River Cats Foundation work to further execute the Foundation’s goals of assisting and supporting the needs of children, youth and families.

In conjunction with the River Cats Foundation, the River Cats Community Relations department is actively involved on a year-round basis in reaching out to schools and numerous community groups by making appearances and giving speeches at school assemblies, civic groups and various facilities in the greater Sacramento area. One of the most popular programs of the Community Relations program is the Triple A assemblies: academics, attitude and attendance. The program involves focus on mathematics and baseball statistics, consistent attendance at school and a positive, can-do attitude about life, family and society. The program is active over 250 days every year with school visits and assemblies, career days, parades, banquets, clinics and more. Over 20,000 students have participated in educational field trips to Raley Field and over 100,000 students have attended a Triple A assembly at more than 150 area public and private schools. In addition, numerous nonprofit groups benefit from Raley Field by working in the concessionaire program to raise funds for their organizations. Each year, many organizations receive auction items from the River Cats to assist them in their own fund raising efforts. The Community Relations program is also actively engaged in supporting numerous youth programs in the area with the annual value of goods and services returned to the greater Sacramento area exceeding $1 million.

Because of the River Cats, the River Cats Foundation and the River Cats Community Relations efforts, the quality of life for many in the greater Sacramento area has been improved and the Rivers Cats are committed to making further progress in the community.

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