Carlos Rodon turned personal heartbreak into a $10,000 grant, with the New York Yankees pitcher helping couples facing infertility and pregnancy loss through his foundation’s mission

Carlos Rodon’s latest philanthropic honor is very much tied to one of the most personal chapters of his life outside of baseball. The New York Yankees pitcher and his wife, Ashley Rodon, suffered two miscarriages before welcoming their daughter Willow and raising a family of three children. That experience became the launching pad for a nonprofit that helps other families who are experiencing infertility and pregnancy loss.The Players Trust announced Rodon as the season’s final Most Valuable Philanthropist honoree on September 23, 2026. In addition to the recognition, The Players Trust also presented a $10,000 grant to the Carlos Rodon Foundation, which will offer the organization additional funding to help families dealing with financial struggles connected to fertility issues.MLB star Carlos Rodon earns Players Trust honor for foundationThe Players Trust named Carlos Rodon its Most Valuable Philanthropist for September, an award that honors MLB players for their charitable work and impact on their community outside of the game of baseball. The September award is the last of its kind for the 2026 season and comes with a $10,000 grant to the charity of the recipient’s choice.Rodon’s money will be directed to the Carlos Rodon Foundation, the nonprofit he and his wife Ashley Rodon created. The organization seeks to help couples and families struggling with infertility and pregnancy loss, especially by reducing some of the financial barriers associated with fertility treatment.Rodon’s dedication to the cause is linked to his own family’s experience, the Players Trust said. Chris Capuano, chairman of the Players Trust Board of Trustees, noted Rodon’s decision to share that experience while helping those in similar situations.Players Trust recognitionDetailsHonoreeCarlos RodonAwardMost Valuable PhilanthropistMonthSeptember 2026Grant$10,000BeneficiaryCarlos Rodon FoundationAwarding organisationMLBPA Players TrustCarlos Rodon Foundation expands support for fertility journeysThe Carlos Rodon Foundation was established in 2024 after Carlos and Ashley Rodon experienced two miscarriages as they tried to start their family. The foundation said their experience, which led them to undergo fertility treatment, led them to decide to set up an organization to help other families facing similar financial and emotional challenges.Its flagship program is the Willow Grant, named after the Rodons’ daughter, Willow. The program is designed to assist eligible families with infertility following pregnancy loss who are seeking fertility treatment, including IVF. The foundation says its bigger mission is to help families find treatment and resources while lowering the financial burden that comes with growing a family.That work has become much larger in scale. By September 2026, the foundation had granted $715,000 to 60 families in 17 states. The organization also reported 34 families were currently in treatment, with 15 babies on the way and four babies born through Willow Grant support.Carlos Rodon Foundation milestoneReported figureTotal grants awarded$715,000Families receiving grants60States reached17Families currently in treatment34Babies on the way15Willow Grant babies born4Fundraising efforts have also been stepped up alongside the foundation’s grant program. Its annual Willow Gala has become a major source of support. By September 2026, the New York Yankees reported the event had raised more than $1.8 million in three years. The foundation’s progress, as reported by NC State Athletics, said more than $1 million was raised by the August 2026 gala alone.The organization has also formed partnerships that are focused on treating treatment-related expenses. An example is its partnership with Alto Pharmacy to help lower the cost of fertility medications for grant recipients. In addition to direct financial support through the Willow Grant, these efforts are.New York Yankees star turns experience into impactCarlos Rodon's charitable work has evolved with his MLB career. The lefty debuted in the big leagues with the Chicago White Sox in 2015 and spent time with the San Francisco Giants before joining the New York Yankees after the 2022 season. A three-time All-Star, he pitched a no-hitter for Chicago in 2021.But the mission of the foundation springs from a chapter of his life that precedes much of its current scope. Ashley Rodon has spoken about the couple’s two miscarriages and the uncertainty that has come with their attempts to have children. Eventually, their daughter, Willow, was born, and soon the couple had three children, and her name became part of the central grant program of the foundation.Ashley Rodon has been an active leader in the organization as its executive director and co-founder. Her work, according to the foundation, is focused on offering support to families, raising awareness about infertility and pregnancy loss, and helping to ease the loneliness that comes with those experiences.Therefore, the $10,000 Players Trust grant becomes another addition to an already greatly expanded effort. The award is not a separate program, but additional resources for an existing foundation that works to provide fertility assistance and pregnancy-loss support.Rodon’s September honor follows a broader streak of recognition for his community work. He was named the Yankees’ nominee for the 2026 Roberto Clemente Award, and the Players Trust award directs $10,000 toward that same foundation. All told, the developments have shone a light on a charitable cause that dates back to the Rodon family’s own experience.The newest grant is just another avenue of funding for families facing the financial burdens of infertility and pregnancy loss for the Carlos Rodon Foundation. Its purported reach in 17 states shows how the organization has expanded beyond the story of the Rodon family itself into a broader network of support for those seeking fertility treatment.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.