We reserve the right to decline applicants who do not fit our mission of helping children in under-resourced communities, which include but not limited to:  

• Competitive travel teams.  PIFBS defines travel teams as those that require an additional fee to play, such as tournament teams – those focused on showcases, scouting, pay to play, etc.  
• Any groups that discriminate against a group of people 
• Programs for adults (unless a veteran/military program OR serves individuals with disabilities)
• Individual families/children

** Any requests that are received under this category will be automatically declined.

• Eligible groups include any league, school, or community-based organization that serves economically disadvantaged children (18 and under).
  • Requests are assessed by looking at and considering the following: registration fees, additional cost to parents, school free and reduced lunch rates, the contents of the request, and other relevant factors.
  • PIFBS has TWO exceptions to our financial and age requirements: military/veterans programs and those that serve individuals with disabilities. 
  • Any group that does not meet the above criteria will automatically be declined.
• Eligible groups may only receive ONE equipment grant from PIFBS per calendar year. If your program received equipment through one of our partner programs, you are not eligible for more equipment within the same calendar year.  PIFBS coordinates with partners and tracks this closely to ensure that we can help as many groups as possible each year.

• For programs in the United States, the Equipment Grant process can take up to 3 months to complete, depending on the time of the year.  
• For international grants, the process can take 6+ months. If an applicant has any specific knowledge regarding shipping from the U.S. to their country, they should provide it up front. 
• To ensure that equipment is in hand in time for the start of the season, we STRONGLY encourage that equipment grant applications are submitted 8 weeks before the start of the season.
• PIFBS will make every effort to meet the program’s first game date, but cannot guarantee as we are often dependent on the responsiveness of applicants to our communications 
• Once shipping is paid, the equipment grant will be shipped within 15 business days
• The contact person must be over the age of 18.
• Applicants must be able to demonstrate the impact of the donation on your program, including its impact on specific children
• The program must be able to cover the cost of shipping/handling and any customs/taxes/fees for international projects.  PIFBS receives a very generous discount through UPS and makes every effort to keep these costs as low as possible.

Pitch In For Baseball & Softball provides all the necessary equipment needed to expand or begin programs. However, oftentimes we have limited quantities of the most in demand items (balls, gloves, etc.). Additionally, PIFBS does not fulfill any requests for pitching machines, netting, or field maintenance equipment. We will do our best to fulfill your application to the best of our ability but it is dependent upon our inventory levels throughout the year.

1. Submit an Equipment Grant Application.  **Make sure that you are completing the correct application, as you will be asked to resubmit if it is the incorrect one.
   • Before submitting the request, we highly advise you to click the Save Application button on the last page.
   • After submitting the request, you will be directed to a page that thanks you for completing the grant application.  In addition, the contact name listed on the application will receive an email from info@pifbs.org confirming receipt. If you do not receive an email, please check your junk mail folders.  If you do not see this email, it means that your application DID NOT go through successfully and you can refer to the saved application from the above bullet and try again. ** If it does not submit, it means that a required field has not been completed.
2. Within 2 weeks, a Pitch In For Baseball & Softball team member will reach out via email with follow up questions about your application.  Make sure to check your spam messages regularly.
   • If you are unable to respond to these emails, you must follow up with a PIFBS team member with a valid reason for lack of communication, otherwise your application will be declined.  Three failed attempts to respond to follow up questions will result in a decline. Due to increased demand for our services and out of respect for staff time, PIFBS must maintain these strict expectations.  
   • Communication with international applicants will be done through zoom, skype, or email.
     • Failure to respond to communications within a reasonable timeframe will result in closure of the application. A new application may be submitted at a later date but will be subject to the same criteria as stated above.
3. Should your grant application be approved, over the next two months, PIFBS will complete review of the requested items and compare against current inventory to make an Equipment Grant recommendation.
4. Pitch In For Baseball & Softball will reach out with a detailed list of the approved Equipment Grant contents, Equipment Grant value, as well as the shipping costs.  After approval of the equipment list and shipping cost and the Equipment Grant Agreement is signed, PIFBS will move forward with shipping (allowing for 15 business days from date shipping reimbursement is received).
5. An Impact Report must be completed following the end of the season.  Impact reports are due on the following schedule and dependent on when the equipment grant was received:
   • Spring Grant Cycle: report due July 1^st
   • Summer Grant Cycle: report due October 1^st  
   • Fall Grant Cycle: report due December 31^st 

Pitch In For Baseball & Softball staff will reach out periodically with reminders.  * Reports must be approved and accepted by PIFBS to be considered complete.  Groups without approved and accepted reports on file are INELIGIBLE for future equipment grants.