As the spread of COVID-19 continues throughout the US, the Ruderman Family Foundation has partnered with the Red Sox Foundation, the official team charity of Major League Baseball's (MLB) Boston Red Sox to address mental health concerns associated with the pandemic.
As part of the Red Sox Foundation's 6th Annual IMPACT Awards, presented by the Ruderman Family Foundation, the awards provide Red Sox fans with the opportunity to nominate their favorite local non-profit organization for the chance to win one of several grants totaling $75,000. Given the pandemic's vast effect on mental health, the IMPACT Awards will this year focus on organizations whose mission includes raising awareness and improving the mental health outcomes of individuals in their community.
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Due to the widespread impact of coronavirus pandemic, the IMPACT Awards will be available to non-profits in all six New England states in 2020 to ensure as much support and funding to organizations in need during this crisis.
"Mental health has a stigma attached to it that too often prevents people from speaking up and getting the help they need. Now, with the added stressors of the COVID-19 crisis it is difficult for all of us on some level, and may be unbearable for those struggling with pre-existing mental health conditions," said Jay Ruderman, president of the Ruderman Family Foundation.
"By partnering with the Red Sox and the Red Sox Foundation, we hope to break the stigma associated with mental health and to recognize those organizations that are helping to do this crucial work in their communities. We look forward to having Red Sox Nation help us decide which organizations will receive the 2020 IMPACT Awards."
"We recognize that during this challenging time, non-profit organizations are in need of extra support to fulfill their mission, which is why we are 100% committed to still providing the IMPACT Awards this year," said Red Sox Foundation Executive Director Bekah Salwasser.
"This unprecedented crisis has affected our society in myriad ways, including the mental health of so many. By partnering with the Ruderman Family Foundation, we hope to help New England charities working in this critical area with extra funding to help fuel their important work and outcomes."
The public can nominate a non-profit in the mental health space, with the nomination period open through May 31. Finalists will be announced on June 9, at which time the public voting period will begin. Voting ends June 22.
The IMPACT Awards will provide 12 non-profits with either a first-place $10,000 grant or a second-place $2,500 grant. Eligible organizations with the most online votes from fans will be the designated winners. There will be two non-profits selected from each New England state.
Voting for the 2020 IMPACT Awards presented by the Ruderman Family Foundation takes place on redsox.com/IMPACT.
