ANNUAL HIGHLIGHTS
ALL RISE will inspire children and youth to become responsible citizens by engaging them in activities that encourage them to reach unlimited possibilities.
In the Big Inning (Beginning)
Where It Began
The Aaron Judge ALL RISE Foundation (AJARF) was built on dreams that have turned to reality and have developed into a viable organization to support the Foundation’s core values and mission. We are pleased to present to you Highlights, our rst report capturing the progress we have made since our “Big Inning” in 2018.
Dreaming
Over 20 years ago, Aaron began dreaming about becoming a professional athlete. That dream created an opportunity for the Judge Family to begin discussions about opportunities and challenges that professional athletes experience. It was apparent that by grade ve, at Science Camp, Aaron not only stood out physically among his peers, he stood up for what is right and good. Growing into a quiet leader, Aaron was willing to help others and would fall quietly to the “end of the line”, always observing and learning. He appreciated his God-given athletic abilities and strove to excel. As he went through high school and college, the Judge family discussions about a professional career grew more serious. Aaron also began to develop a love for kids, not only as a role model, but as a mentor on the eld and in the classroom. He became aware of the many opportunities that professional athletes were able to do to help their communities. He then began dreaming of starting a foundation - an idea that he was still contemplating when he was drafted by the New York Yankees in 2013.
Reality
Each year brought more ‘foundation” dreams to Aaron and the Judge family. Aaron’s baseball skills continued to develop, and his fan base grew. By January of 2016 these dreams changed, they became real. Aaron’s
mom Patty began researching the difference between community foundations and private foundations, and it was decided that a private foundation seemed to be the best t.
Inaugural Board Members from left to right: Bev Pugh, Linda Johnson, Aaron Judge, and Patty Judge.
Informal meetings with interested individuals took place and a nucleus of support was developed. Aaron became the founder of his dream and appointed Patty Judge as Executive Director, Linda Johnson as Vice President-Secretary and Bev Pugh to Treasurer.
It’s Of cial
In April of 2017 “ALL RISE” became Aaron’s nickname and caught on like wild re, along with other references such as “The Judge’s Chamber” and “The Judgeian Blast.” The Aaron Judge ALL RISE Foundation (AJARF) was born. The rst of cial board meeting was held on April 5th, 2018, followed by the
Continued on next page
Board of Directors
Aaron Judge Founder
Linda Johnson Vice-President, Secretary
Bev
Pugh Co-Treasurer
Patty Judge President/Executive Director
Carol Derksen Co-Treasurer
Sonia Gradin
Member at Large
completion of Articles of Incorporation, the By-Laws, Board Policy, and the of cial 501(c)3. A $25,000 donation from founder, Aaron Judge, was the seed money for the Foundation and set in motion the opportunity to make a difference in the communities that are near and dear to Aaron’s heart. The mission was developed and became the driving force and deciding factor of each and every thing that the AJARF
Our goals are driven by our dreams for the future. Exciting times are ahead for the Aaron Judge ALL RISE Foundation. Our initiatives, programs, and collaborations are growing with our passion to inspire children and youth to become responsible citizens. Our future begins today.
Reflections of 2020
hat a year! With big plans and exciting possibilities for 2020, the Aaron Judge ALL RISE Foundation quickly realized that due to a world-wide pandemic we needed to quickly navigate our path in a different direction. Due to COVID-19, we successfully adapted our events and schedules to manage a year no one could ever imagine. Our mission statement and passion drove us to be creative.
The restrictions established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, brought our in-person events to an end. We provided virtual events for our Aspiring Leaders. We masked up and practiced social distancing to continue our outreach to children and youth in our community. Our Board and Marketing Team adjusted to virtual meetings.
Our time in the of ce became creative and productive. We had the opportunity to focus on the development of our infrastructure, administrative tasks, and protocols. Our business software platforms to handle our nancial and creative needs became more familiar to us.
Active fundraising was halted, however, donations steadily arrived and kept us up and running. Financial support came from Aaron’s business partners, small and large companies, family, friends, and some new friends, as well. Our rst strategic planning meeting provided the Board of Directors an opportunity to look towards our future nancial and program growth. We
We allocated additional time to create and develop our Marketing Team and The ALL RISE Team Report, our quarterly newsletter. We have developed strategies to increase our audience on social media to improve our website. The Board of Directors used this time to think out of the box to nd ways to reach out to children and youth during a pandemic and into the future without COVID-19.
As we move out of the pandemic, we look back and re ect on the successes we have had since we began the Foundation and celebrate the new programs, we were able to keep going as well as the new programs we started (even during COVID). Now we continue to look forward to many exciting years supporting our youth and communities. Thank you for taking this journey with us.
Comprehensive components established by the board indicate our commitment to delivering Aaron’s key messaging. Throughout this report you will nd how each program, grant and sponsorship includes these components.
ALL RISE Fundraising Events
In 2019 we held the “All-Star Evening” gala fundraising events in both Linden, California and Fresno, California. Highly successful, each event was unique, engaging and fun. Because of the funds raised at these two events we have been able to continue much of our work through 2020. As a result of COVID-19, The New York Gala – which was scheduled for early 2021 – was postponed until January of 2022. Thanks to our generous event sponsors from these earlier fundraisers and our Family of Af liates, our Mini-Grants continued to be awarded, and we were able to continue being supportive and involved with our programs, sponsorships and partnerships.
An All-Star Evening
ALL RISE Programs
Linden, California November 11, 2018
Aaron Judge ALL RISE Baseball ProCamps are held in each of our regions and are supported through the funds received from the region fundraising events. The ProCamps offer the opportunity for personal interaction, with Aaron and the coaches.
Fresno, California November 24, 2019
The Foundation developed a Mini-Grant program for community-based organizations, public and private agencies, and faith-based organizations. In 2021, the Mini-Grant program expanded to serve three regions: San Joaquin County, California; Fresno County, California; and Bronx County, New York. Our 2021 recipients can be found on our website, AaronJudgeALLRISEfoundation.org.
Tokay Colony 4-H Swine Unit San Joaquin County, California
Linden, California
January 26, 2019
Fresno, California November 21, 2019
CADA Conference
Linden Uni ed School District Student Leadership Development August 2019
ALL RISE Programs (Continued)
Aspiring Leaders
AJARF COMPONENT:
• Citizenship Development
• Leadership Development
• Character Development
Aspiring Leaders is a program of the Foundation and gives students the opportunity to learn, grow, and improve their leadership skills. Delegates are sent to in-person and virtual leadership conferences and other leadership events.
Community Sponsorships and Collaborations
Emergency Food Bank
In May 2020, ALL RISE collaborated with JBL to provide headphones to nearly one hundred (100) fourth grade students entering middle school at Linden Elementary School in Linden, California. Parents and students were thrilled to have Aaron’s support and encouragement.
AJARF COMPONENT:
• Community Involvement
• Citizenship Development
• Health and Well-being
Central California Blood Center in Fresno, California, and the AJARF began discussing a potential collaboration to encourage youth in the Fresno area to participate in a campaign to help their community by donating blood. With COVID-19, donations around the world were negatively impacted, making this campaign even more relevant.
Mobile, INC.
In December of 2020, Glu Mobile Inc. donated $25,000 to the Aaron Judge ALL RISE Foundation 2021 Mini-Grant Program to support activities and programs for children and youth.
AJARF COMPONENT:
• Reading and Literacy
2020, the AJARF teamed up with youth voice advocate Olivia Van Ledtje - @TheLivBits - to support reading and literacy. Olivia believes books and baseball are the perfect way to bring on summer.
Participating as the Start Line Sponsor in 2019, AJARF returned for a second year to sponsor the 16th annual Run & Walk Against Hunger to bene t the Emergency Food Bank of Stockton/San Joaquin. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the 2020 event was virtual, and the need for the support of the Food Bank was larger than ever. The AJARF was proud to participate as the 2020 Presenting Sponsor at $12,500. This was the rst in-person run/walk that the Judge Family has missed in nearly ten years, however, they did participate virtually along with AJARF Board Members and the community! In 2021, AJARF will again be the presenting sponsor.
California Association of Directors of Activities
AJARF COMPONENT:
• Education • Leadership Development
• Character Development
California Association of Directors of Activities is the largest California statewide support network for Activities Directors in the nation. Their mission is to promote and support leadership development through student activities. Aaron and the Board determined that the CADA programs provided excellent youth leadership training, and we now have the opportunity to share our mission with CADA schools across California.
AJARF COMPONENT:
• Character Development
• Leadership Development
• Community Involvement
• Citizenship Development
• Education
Our collaboration with #ICANHELP continues through 2021 and we are poised to continue sharing our support for each other. We will continue discussions regarding an #ICANHELP student participating in future ALL RISE events.
Power-Band Bracelets
The ALL RISE Foundation teamed up with #ICANHELP to distribute special edition Power-Band bracelets to students who are using the internet responsibly and doing great things to spread positivity online. The Power-Band bracelet is a reminder to the students to keep doing good, and never doubt the impact they can make in the world.
AJARF COMPONENT: New York Yankees Bronx Educational All-Star Day
More than 9,000 students participated in the June 2019 Bronx Education All-Star Day. ALL RISE was there to celebrate their achievements in academics, leadership and citizenship. We did not gather in 2020 but look forward to celebrating with them
• Education
• Leadership Development
• Community Involvement
as soon as we are able. To view the Foundations participation and comments by Aaron at the 2019 event, go to: You Tube 2019 Bronx Education All-Star Day / New York Yankees June 19, 2019.
For a complete list of ALL RISE Programs, Mini-Grants, Sponsorships and Collaborations, please visit our website, AaronJudgeALLRISEfoundation.org.
Financials
We are no longer the “T-Ballers” we once were. We are excited how far and how quickly the ALL RISE Foundation has grown and where we are headed. We have stepped up to the plate, planted our cleats, and we are ready and eager to hit 2021 out of the park – all in support for today’s youth and our communities.
The Foundation strives to remain a credible and nancially healthy organization with the Founder’s vision, President’s direction, Board of Directors’ oversight, and accountant’s guidance. In 2019, we welcomed Carol Derksen to the Board of Directors as an additional Treasurer. The Board manages funds to ensure alignment with the Foundation’s strategic plan.
Carol Derksen Treasurer
ALL RISE relies on private funding to support our programs and operations. The funding sources include foundations, businesses, corporations, individual donors, and income from our fundraising events and auctions. The Foundation works hard to be conscientious with the use of its funds and maintains low overhead costs. ALL RISE is committed to responsible nancial sustainability, and annually submits to an internal nancial audit.
Family of A liates
ALL RISE Premier Family of Af liates
The Aaron Judge ALL RISE Foundation is blessed to work with several businesses that have gone above and beyond our expectations. These companies support ALL RISE on a day-to-day basis through funding or providing product and/or services. The Board of Directors designated these companies as “Premier Af liates” for their steady and constant willingness to support our mission.
Become Part of The Family
In November 2020, the Board of Directors established the ALL RISE Family of Af liates to publicly showcase companies that support our initiatives and events. Each year, businesses have the opportunity to donate, partner, or collaborate with the AJARF to continue as, or become an af liate. Bene ts can be found on the AJARF website.
Triple Crown
Hall of Fame