MUNDY TWP, MI — After years of strategic planning and fundraising, the Miracle League of Greater Flint will be completing their Miracle League Ballfield through the anticipated success of a new crowdfunding campaign.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and the Miracle League of Greater Flint announced the campaign this week, which is being offered through the Michigan-based crowdfunding platform Patronicity.
If the campaign reaches its crowdfunding goal of $75,000 by June 1, the project will win a matching grant with funds made possible by the MEDC’s Public Spaces Community Places (PSCP) program.
Related: Play ball! Mundy Miracle Commons fills funding gap for barrier-free baseball field
This project will be utilizing the PSCP program’s Universal Design and Accessibility Extension, which allows for an additional $25,000 in matching funds if the project meets the standards of Universal Design and Accessibility.
“This project will create a universally accessible playing field and an inclusive space for play in Flint and the greater region,” said MEDC Regional Development Managing Director Paula Holtz. “We are pleased to support and provide resources for this project through our Public Spaces Community Places program.”
This will be the first Miracle Field in Genesee County, creating a fully accessible, soft-surfaced baseball field that’ll allow children and adults with special needs and anyone else to enjoy the sport of baseball.
The Miracle League has already begun development of the site with accessible parking, universally accessible restrooms, and a concession area. This campaign will complete the universally accessible field with surfacing, dugouts, bleachers, pathways, a scoreboard, and lighting.
The Miracle League of Greater Flint will continue to partner with other agencies who provide services for children and adults with disabilities, offering the field for their use as well for special programs, outdoor activities, and classroom programs. In addition to the field being used for baseball, the field can be used for other inclusive activities such as holiday-themed activities, kickball, yoga, senior programs, and veterans’ programs.
“We are grateful for the support of the PSCP program to help bring organized sports to athletes of all abilities in the Flint and Genesee County area. This grant will allow our community to have a place where kids and adults can play baseball without some of the barriers that typical baseball fields may pose,” said Brian Caine, Founder and Director of the Miracle League of Greater Flint. “We look forward to getting the field built in Mundy Township and with the help of the PSCP, we will be able to play ball!”
Also: Miracle League of Greater Flint hopes to open game of baseball to disabled
Public Spaces Community Places is a collaborative effort of the MEDC, the Michigan Municipal League, and Patronicity, in which local residents can use crowdfunding to be part of the development of strategic projects in their communities and be backed with a matching grant from MEDC.
Communities, nonprofits, and other business entities can apply at https://patronicity.com/puremichigan.
“This ballfield is a great investment in the greater Flint community,” said Dan Gilmartin, CEO and Executive Director of the Michigan Municipal League. “This project is the first of its kind in Genesee County, speaking to the need for prioritizing accessibility in our communities. Their dedication to inclusivity will ensure that all athletes and their loved ones can enjoy and create memories together.”
The Public Spaces Community Places initiative started in 2014 with MEDC providing matched funding of up to $50,000 for community improvement projects throughout Michigan.
As of March 21, 2024, MEDC has provided more than $12.4 million in matching grants. Since the launch of the PSCP program, 371 projects have been successful in reaching their goal, with more than $14 million raised from 68,527 individual donors.
Communities have a 97% success rate in achieving their goals and earning the matching funds.
For project details and to donate, visit: patronicity.com/miracleleague.
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