Players Trust: Making a difference in the community

Since 1996, the Major League Baseball Players Trust has touched the lives of thousands of disadvantaged people in hundreds of communities around the world.

The 501 (c) 3 charitable foundation -- the first in professional sports to be established and administered by the players themselves –- helps support the players’ individual charitable activities and augments them with a core group of community outreach programs.

"The Players Trust provides players with the opportunity to assist people who need our help," Torii Hunter said. "As players, most of us are in good position to help and the Trust helps us connect with the people who need our help most."

The Trust is administered by three Trustees -- MLBPA executive director Donald M. Fehr and the PA’s two player representatives, Mark Loretta and Tony Clark, in conjunction with a Trust Committee made up of players from each team. Additionally, there is an Advisory Board comprised of leaders in the field of community service.

The Trust is funded through contributions from all MLBPA members, a percentage of licensing revenue and special events such as the Players Choice Awards and the Players Trust Golf Tournament.