Aaron Judge’s charitable work in MLB: How the New York Yankees captain uses his fame, ALL RISE Foundation, and community initiatives to support children, families, education, and youth leadership in 2026

Aaron Judge is known for his power at the plate and his leadership as captain of the New York Yankees. But his impact also reaches communities beyond the baseball field. Through the ALL RISE Foundation, established in 2018, Judge has supported initiatives designed to help children develop confidence, strengthen their education and become responsible members of their communities. The organisation’s work focuses on practical opportunities that can help young people build skills and imagine broader possibilities for their futures.The foundation operates with a particular focus on the Bronx in New York City, while also supporting communities in California, including San Joaquin and Fresno counties. Its activities range from baseball camps and reading initiatives to leadership development, digital citizenship education and grants for local organisations. Rather than relying on one form of outreach, the foundation uses several programmes to connect young people with learning, mentorship and community resources.How Aaron Judge’s ALL RISE Foundation expands youth baseball, literacy, and digital safety programs in New York and CaliforniaThe ALL RISE Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established by Judge to inspire children and young people to become responsible citizens. Its mission centres on encouraging leadership, education and character development through activities that help participants recognise their potential. The foundation is family-run, with Judge and his mother, Patty Judge, involved in its work.According to the foundation’s official website, its initiatives include mini-grants, aspiring leadership programmes, baseball camps, digital citizenship activities, reading projects and educational resources. These programmes reflect a broader approach to youth development: sports can encourage teamwork, reading can strengthen learning habits, and leadership activities can help students develop confidence and a sense of responsibility.By working with local organisations and youth programmes, ALL RISE helps connect Judge’s public profile with activities that can benefit children and families directly. Its work also reaches parts of California, extending its community support beyond New York.How Aaron Judge’s ALL RISE Foundation supports Bronx youthYouth baseball is one of the foundation’s most visible initiatives. Its camps give young players opportunities to practise skills, learn about teamwork and interact with people who have experience in the sport.In August 2026, Judge and former Yankees player Tyler Wade hosted a free Baseball ProCamp at Fordham University for 232 young players from nine Bronx Little League programmes. The camp included baseball drills, age-group races and team photographs. The foundation also donated $9,999.99 to help participating Little League programmes obtain equipment, according to reporting on the event.The camp illustrates how the foundation combines direct engagement with practical assistance. Children can learn in a supportive environment while community leagues receive help with equipment needs. Such contributions matter because organised sports can give young people structured activities, opportunities to cooperate and experiences that build discipline.The foundation’s involvement also helps draw attention to youth baseball programmes that may not have the same visibility as professional teams. While a single camp cannot address every barrier to participation, events and equipment support can help local organisations create more opportunities for children to take part.What Aaron Judge’s foundation funds across local communitiesThe foundation’s mini-grant programme supports organisations working with children and young people. Rather than limiting its work to baseball, ALL RISE backs community efforts that address different needs, including educational guidance, access to technology, inclusive learning and arts outreach. The goal is to help local groups deliver programmes that respond to the circumstances of the young people they serve.Organisations and initiatives associated with its community work include Children of Promise NYC and Bronx Horizons, which support young people through educational and future-planning opportunities; Birch Family Services and NYC Autism Charter Schools, which work with children with developmental and learning needs; and First Tech Fund, which focuses on digital access and technology opportunities. Arts outreach has also included support for the Fresno Philharmonic, while food-distribution efforts involving Second Harvest of the Greater Valley connect with wider community needs. Programme details and grant recipients can change over time, so individual funding claims should be checked against the foundation’s latest disclosures before publication.These partnerships reflect an important feature of the foundation’s approach: community support does not have to take one form. Educational guidance may help students plan for college or vocational training, technology access can open doors to digital learning, and inclusive services can support children who need tailored resources. Arts and food programmes address other dimensions of community life, including creative development and access to essential support.How Aaron Judge’s foundation promotes literacy and educationReading and learning are central to ALL RISE’s youth-development work. The Aaron Judge ALL RISE Book Club and the foundation’s reading initiatives encourage children to develop regular reading habits and engage with books beyond the classroom. The organisation also promotes resources such as its Leadership Library and educational webinars, giving young people additional ways to explore leadership and responsible citizenship.How ALL RISE supports digital safety and responsible citizenshipYoung people increasingly navigate online spaces for schoolwork, communication and entertainment. Digital safety education can help them recognise cyberbullying, protect personal information, evaluate online behaviour and make thoughtful decisions about what they share. ALL RISE has worked with Digital4Good and #ICANHELP on digital citizenship and online safety education.The foundation’s digital initiatives have included webinars and school-focused activities intended to help students become more responsible online participants. An education event in the Bronx was reported to have engaged approximately 11,500 students, demonstrating the potential reach of school-based digital citizenship programming. Specific participation figures should be attributed to the relevant programme or event rather than treated as a measure of every foundation initiative.The subject connects closely with the foundation’s broader mission. Responsible citizenship today includes understanding how online choices affect others, how to respond to harmful behaviour and how to contribute positively to a community. By combining digital safety with leadership and character development, the foundation addresses challenges young people face both online and offline.How New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge gives backJudge’s role as the Yankees captain gives the foundation visibility that many community organisations cannot easily achieve on their own. His involvement can draw attention to youth programmes, encourage supporters to participate in fundraising and help introduce new audiences to the foundation’s mission. However, the work depends on the ongoing involvement of community partners, educators, volunteers and organisations delivering programmes on the ground.How Aaron Judge turns public recognition into community impactFundraising is another part of the foundation’s activities. Events such as the ALL RISE “All Star Evening” gala at Cipriani Wall Street bring supporters together around its mission. The foundation has also used “9/9 for #99” auction initiatives featuring opportunities such as signed memorabilia, game experiences and behind-the-scenes access connected to the Yankees. These events offer supporters ways to contribute while connecting their interest in baseball with youth-focused programmes.Judge’s public image can help make these initiatives more visible, but the purpose extends beyond celebrating his achievements. Funds raised through charitable events can support programme delivery, partnerships and resources for young people. As with any nonprofit, the impact of individual events is best assessed through published financial information and programme reports rather than assumptions based on the profile of its celebrity founder.Seasonal outreach and community events also help the foundation connect with families outside formal educational settings. Activities such as book-related initiatives and Yankees Winter Wonderland programming can bring children into welcoming environments centred on participation and community engagement. These experiences complement longer-term efforts in literacy, leadership and youth development.Why the foundation’s work extends beyond baseballProfessional sports provide a natural starting point for Judge’s charitable work, but the foundation’s programmes reach into education, digital citizenship, the arts and community support. Baseball camps offer practical lessons in cooperation and resilience, while reading and leadership initiatives focus on skills that can benefit children throughout their lives. Grants to community organisations can extend that work to young people whose interests and needs go well beyond sport.This wider approach is significant because children do not all benefit from the same opportunities. Some need educational guidance, others need access to technology or inclusive services, and many benefit from activities that build confidence and a sense of belonging. Supporting different organisations allows the foundation to address a broader range of needs than a single programme could cover.The foundation’s stated mission is to help children and young people develop into responsible citizens and pursue their potential. Its combination of sports, education and community partnerships provides several routes towards that goal. The lasting measure of its work will be the opportunities created for young people and the value those programmes deliver to the communities they serve.For Judge, the ALL RISE Foundation offers a way to connect the leadership associated with his position at the New York Yankees to a wider public purpose. Its work in New York and California shows how a professional athlete’s platform can help support youth development through direct engagement, educational initiatives and partnerships. By continuing to focus on children, families and community organisations, the foundation keeps its attention on a legacy that reaches beyond the baseball diamond.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.