On the eve of the Jackie Robinson Foundation’s annual Mentoring and Leadership Conference for college students and annual Robie Awards gala on Monday in New York City, the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation announced an $800,000 grant to the Jackie Robinson Foundation. With this grant for the 2019-20 academic year, support from the Dodgers and LADF to JRF now totals more than $3.5 million since 1987.

LADF will support 11 JRF/LADF Scholars through their college years, two of which have also been supported by former Dodgers player Andre Ethier.

“Jackie Robinson’s legacy plays a significant role in our foundation’s work,” said LADF’s CEO and Jackie Robinson Foundation alumnus, Nichol Whiteman. “One-third of first-generation college students will leave college with no return to enrollment. With our continued commitment, we remain dedicated to providing access and ensuring students graduate.”

JRF/LADF Scholars currently attend universities such as Stanford University; UCLA; California State University, Northridge; USC and California State University, East Bay.

“The Jackie Robinson Foundation is thrilled to expand its relationship with the Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation,” JRF’s President and CEO Della Britton Baeza said. “Jackie Robinson and the Dodgers share a long and deep history. We are grateful that the Dodgers continue to celebrate these intertwined legacies by supporting so many talented JRF Scholars who go on to positively impact communities around the world.”

LADF will also host JRF Scholars for a private luncheon in New York City, where they will network and learn from staff in a special career panel opportunity. For information, visit dodgers.com/ladf.