Community Impact
Community Impact
We believe sports have the power to change the world.
More specifically, we believe that baseball’s cross-cultural appeal unites communities like no other sport can.
OUR COMMUNITY
The Royals are committed to a Community Benefits Agreement (CBA) and to be among MLB’s top tier when it comes to diversity goals and having a transformational impact in the community. This is an opportunity to impact positive social change, through programming that will lead to changing behaviors, educating others, and contributing to like-minded nonprofits and other organizations that support community initiatives. All of this is done with a particular focus on the historically underserved, with Kansas Cit y’s urban core remaining our philanthropic priority.
The acronym KC WINS communicates the different aspects of our community benefits program, the details of which will be codified through a negotiated agreement.
In addition to the CBA and new opportunities through the ballpark district, the Royals will continue our existing philanthropic and community impact initiatives. Since 2001, Royals Charities has donated more than $23 million to hundreds of local organizations. One of the Royals key initiatives is the Kansas City Royals Urban Youth Academy (UYA) that is in the historic 18th & Vine district. The UYA features four outdoor fields as well as an indoor facility with an MLB-sized turf infield, batting tunnels, and classrooms – uses baseball and softball as a medium to help underserved youth to become the leaders of tomorrow. Since its inception in 2018, the Academy has hosted over 60,000 youth visits – providing a safe space and access to free baseball, softball and education/wellness programming.
OUR ROOTS
Here in Kansas City, we have seen the Royals and baseball transcend language, cultural, and socio-economic barriers to make us all better, together. We feel a privilege and responsibility to build on and continue that history.
The Royals are among Kansas City’s greatest assets. The club has always been a point of pride, and a window to showcase our diverse community and culture. Our ownership group – the stewards of this great franchise – are from Kansas City. They chose to stay here, or move here, and raise their families here. They also have long and deep histories of giving back to their hometown.
John Sherman, our Chairman and CEO, sees “using the Royals platform for good” as a central priority of the ownership group. The vibrancy, economic benefits, and reach of a world-class ballpark and surrounding district for entertainment, retail and housing will amplify those efforts.
OUR FOCUS
Moving forward, we will focus our philanthropic and community impact in the areas of:
- Literacy and education
- Physical activity
- Military and veterans
- Affordable housing
- Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Our community’s future is bright, and the Royals are committed to using our platform for good. The more successful we are both on and off the field, the more we will share that success with our hometown.
Community Coalition Testimonials
Our region competes with other great places for companies and talent, just like the Royals do for wins on the diamond. The district will allow KC the chance to succeed at both.
A new ballpark district located in Kansas City offers a pathway to future growth and sustainability to current development. It can be the framework for economic growth, social justice, entrepreneurship, and job opportunities.
The proposed new Baseball District will prove to be a win-win for the community and the Kansas City Royals. It will lead to neighborhood redevelopment, with new businesses, new jobs, and new economic benefits for both the team and the entire region, not to mention a reinvigorated team on the field. It’s a home run for Greater Kansas City.
Kansas City is on people’s radar like never before, and a new Ballpark District will create additional momentum and opportunity for us to attract events, conventions, and leisure travelers to the Heart of America. The Royals are a critical part of Kansas City’s iconic sports tradition. As they welcome generational fans and newcomers to the game, this Ballpark District represents the chance to engage with communities across the metro in new and exciting ways.
Our region competes with other great places for companies and talent, just like the Royals do for wins on the diamond. The district will allow KC the chance to succeed at both.
A new ballpark district located in Kansas City offers a pathway to future growth and sustainability to current development. It can be the framework for economic growth, social justice, entrepreneurship, and job opportunities.
The proposed new Baseball District will prove to be a win-win for the community and the Kansas City Royals. It will lead to neighborhood redevelopment, with new businesses, new jobs, and new economic benefits for both the team and the entire region, not to mention a reinvigorated team on the field. It’s a home run for Greater Kansas City.
Kansas City is on people’s radar like never before, and a new Ballpark District will create additional momentum and opportunity for us to attract events, conventions, and leisure travelers to the Heart of America. The Royals are a critical part of Kansas City’s iconic sports tradition. As they welcome generational fans and newcomers to the game, this Ballpark District represents the chance to engage with communities across the metro in new and exciting ways.
