USA Baseball today launched the “Drive to 2028” fundraising campaign, aiming to engage 2,028 annual supporters through the USA Baseball Foundation to help drive continued growth in baseball participation across the United States.
As the national governing body for baseball in the United States, USA Baseball is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that receives no government funding. Contributions to the USA Baseball Foundation from supporters are essential to advancing the organization’s mission of Leading the Growth of Our Pastime’s Future™.
The “Drive to 2028” campaign aligns with strategic growth initiatives USA Baseball will promote around the organization’s 50th anniversary and the 2028 Olympic Games, positioning both milestones as an opportunity to expand impact and further invest in grassroots participation and long-term baseball retention nationwide.
“Baseball has always been about more than what happens on the field; it’s about the role it plays in so many lives and communities,” said USA Baseball Executive Director/CEO Paul Seiler. “Hosting the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles in the year of USA Baseball’s fiftieth anniversary will be an important moment for baseball in the United States, and as we look ahead, we have a real opportunity to strengthen its foundation and carry it Always Forward. The most important thing we can do is use this opportunity to grow the game, and the ‘Drive to 2028’ campaign will be an integral part of that effort.”
Data shows that baseball participation continues to rise across the United States, reaching 17.3 million players in 2025, the highest recorded figure since the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) began tracking participation in 2008. This growth is being driven in part by USA Baseball initiatives like Fun At Bat, the organization’s premier introductory program focused on bringing the game into elementary schools in a fun and accessible way. Since its launch in 2017, Fun At Bat has expanded to more than 9,300 schools and reached over 4.37 million students nationwide. Building on that success, USA Baseball has expanded its efforts to grow the game through additional initiatives, including Coach Clinics and Homegrown Clinics, and introducing Baseball5 into middle and high schools across the country.
“Drive to 2028” encourages individuals to help shape baseball’s future by making an annual contribution at any meaningful and comfortable level. Gifts of $100 or more are eligible to receive the same benefits offered through the USA Baseball Foundation’s Our Pastime’s Future Fund, featuring exclusive gifts and experiences tailored to each level of support.
“This effort is about more than a campaign, it’s a movement to connect with dedicated baseball fans who want to invest in the future of the game across our country,” said Drake Sacenti, Director of Development. “Every contribution, at any level, helps create more opportunities for young athletes, strengthens communities, and ensures our game continues to grow for generations to come.”
Momentum around international baseball competition, including the recent 2026 World Baseball Classic, has created renewed excitement for the sport, which will only heighten as the 2028 Olympic Games approach. The USA Baseball Foundation hopes to build on that momentum by creating opportunities for supporters to directly contribute to the game’s future.
“Witnessing the impact of baseball during the World Baseball Classic was inspiring,” said Seiler. “Seeing packed stadiums filled with fans of all ages proudly wearing their country’s colors was a reminder of baseball’s impact in our country and its unique ability to bring people together. We hope supporters will join the “Drive to 2028” and make an impact on baseball’s future.”
Founded in 1985, the USA Baseball Foundation is the philanthropic arm of USA Baseball and is dedicated to advancing baseball across the United States by supporting initiatives and programs that serve the long-term growth of the game. The Foundation’s core values are to Break Barriers, Amplify the Game, and Ignite a Passion. USA Baseball and the USA Baseball Foundation have partnered with Learfield Amplify to develop and enhance fundraising programs and initiatives to grow philanthropic support for the organization.
