Major League Baseball Dominican Development Alliance

Major League Baseball (MLB), USAID and six local NGOs hit a homerun with an historic alliance that puts baseball to work for at-risk and out-of-school children, fragile community health providers and poor underserved populations in the Dominican Republic.

The Alliance was formally signed on November 19, 2008 by P. Robert Fannin, the U.S. Ambassador in the Dominican Republic, Richard Goughnour, USAID/Dominican Republic Mission Director and Joe Garagiola, Jr., MLB Senior Vice President, during a ceremony held at the Ambassador’s Residence in Santo Domingo. Ambassador Fannin said “This Alliance innovatively channels the baseball-mania culture of the country -- fans, players, teams and sponsors - in the alleviation of poverty through supporter contributions leveraged with USAID funds.”

USAID is committing a one million dollar incentive fund over three years with MLB and the collaborating NGOs committing office space, time, personnel and years grass-roots community based development experience. The Alliance provides MLB players (over 400 Dominican players are signed every year) with an opportunity to give back to their communities and for MLB teams and their fans to support poor Dominican communities throughout the country.

The Major League Baseball Dominican Development Alliance (MLB DDA) implements community projects that focus on preschool and basic education, health, youth development, and economic development in the marginalized communities and neighborhoods in the Dominican Republic. The Alliance members have years of experience carrying out community projects in the Dominican Republic and have the knowledge and capabilities to complete projects quickly. The MLB DDA has an array of projects to choose from and is willing to work with donors to customize projects depending on their desires regarding location and project emphasis. Preschool and Basic Education Projects

These projects focus on the quality of educations and infrastructure of schools located in marginalized communities. Projects include building and remodeling schools, training teachers, organizing after school and extracurricular activities, supporting schools with materials, among other activities.

These projects are directed towards improving the health awareness and prevention, offering access to professional medical attention, and promoting a healthy environment. Projects include HIV/AIDS awareness, the construction of aqueducts and water systems, the construction of latrines, medical missions that provide professional medical attention and surgery, malnutrition alleviation, vaccinations, trash recollection, organizing and training health promoters, community clean-up activities, among others.

These projects are geared towards teaching youth important life skills necessary to make good decisions and lead a successful life. Projects include youth camps and workshops that address issues such as youth rights and interfamilial violence, the construction of libraries and computer/internet centers, artistic and cultural events and workshops, youth group activities, baseball/softball league sponsorship, support for youth sports programs, among others.

These projects intend to increase sustainable economic activity in marginalized communities to improve family economic conditions and create job opportunities. Projects include microfinance to micro and small businesses, professional advice to small business owners and entrepreneurs, training in entrepreneurship and business concepts, support for farmers, among others.

The Alliance also focuses on many other community projects such as disaster relief and mitigation, remodeling and constructing houses, building community centers, and supporting other community initiatives.