Little League and Boys and Girls Clubs of America Announce Major New Partnership
Little League International and Boys and Girls Clubs of America announced a new partnership on August 23, 2026. The two nonprofit organizations will work together to bring baseball and softball to more children across the United States. The partnership focuses on communities where access to organized youth sports is limited.
The announcement came during the 2026 Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. Both organizations share a mission of helping young people build confidence, develop leadership skills, and grow through positive community experiences. The partnership begins with 25 pilot programs during the 2027 season.
What These Two Organizations Represent Together
Players
Worldwide
Served by
BGCA
Annually
Clubs Across
the US
Programs
Launching in
2027
Has Served
Communities
What the Partnership Will Do
The partnership connects local Little League programs with nearby Boys and Girls Clubs to create what both organizations describe as sustainable community pathways. Club members get access to baseball and softball through local Little League programs. Clubs receive resources, training, and equipment to support youth participation.
Aspen Institute connection: Both Little League International and Boys and Girls Clubs of America are contributing members of the Aspen Institute’s Project Play 63X30 Roundtable. The roundtable works toward a national goal of increasing youth sports participation to 63 percent by 2030. The new partnership supports the broader national effort to get more children active in organized sports.
What the Leaders Said
At Little League, we believe every child deserves the opportunity to have an inclusive, community-based experience where they can learn life lessons that come from being part of a team. This partnership with Boys and Girls Clubs of America brings together two industry-leading organizations that are trusted by parents and share a commitment to helping young people grow through positive experiences, caring mentors, and strong communities.
Patrick Wilson, Little League President and CEO
Every young person deserves the chance to discover what they’re capable of, and sometimes that discovery starts on a ballfield. Sports give young people more than just the chance to play. They build confidence, foster connection, and help kids develop skills that stay with them for life. By bringing together local leagues and Clubs, both deeply rooted in communities across the country, we can connect more young people with a team, a coach, a mentor, and a place to belong.
Jim Clark, President and CEO of Boys and Girls Clubs of America
Patrick Wilson also credited Tony Reagins and Major League Baseball as partners in making the vision a reality. The MLB connection gives the partnership additional support and reach beyond what either nonprofit organization could achieve independently.
Partnership Timeline and Next Steps
| Phase | Timeline | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Announcement | August 23, 2026 | Partnership announced during 2026 LLWS in Williamsport, Pennsylvania |
| Pilot Programs | 2027 season | 25 pilot programs launch connecting Boys and Girls Clubs with local Little League programs |
| Community Activations | 2026 to 2027 | Both organizations collaborate on community programming and volunteer initiatives |
| Storytelling | Ongoing | Celebrating community impact of sports and mentorship through shared content |
| Project Play 63X30 | Through 2030 | Contributing to national goal of 63% youth sports participation by 2030 |
About Boys and Girls Clubs of America
Boys and Girls Clubs of America has served children and teens for more than 160 years. The organization operates nearly 5,500 clubs, serving more than 4 million young people through membership and community outreach. Clubs run daily programs in cities, towns, public housing, and on Native lands across the country.
Boys and Girls Clubs also operates BGCA-affiliated Youth Centers on US military installations worldwide for military families. The national headquarters sits in Atlanta. The organization focuses on academic success, good character and leadership, and healthy lifestyles for the young people it serves.
Why This Partnership Matters for Youth Baseball
Youth sports participation in the United States has declined significantly over the past two decades. Cost, transportation, and lack of local programs are the three most commonly cited barriers for families who want their children to play organized sports but cannot access them.
Little League International and Boys and Girls Clubs of America both operate in underserved communities where those barriers are highest. The partnership directly targets those communities by pairing existing Club locations with nearby Little League programs. Children who attend a Club can now have a direct pathway into local Little League baseball and softball.
T-Mobile Call Up Grant connection: The Boys and Girls Clubs partnership builds on Little League’s existing T-Mobile Call Up Grant program, which has awarded more than 9.8 million dollars to cover registration fees for nearly 83,000 children since launching in 2020. The grant has helped more than 12,000 children participate annually, with 23.75 percent of recipients being new to Little League each year.
Conclusion
Little League International and Boys and Girls Clubs of America announced their new partnership on August 23, 2026. Twenty-five pilot programs launch during the 2027 season. The partnership aims to connect local Clubs with nearby Little League programs in underserved communities across the United States.
Both organizations serve millions of young people annually and share a focus on youth development through positive community experiences. The partnership also supports the Aspen Institute’s Project Play 63X30 goal of reaching 63 percent youth sports participation nationally by 2030.
