The Arizona Diamondbacks celebrated more than just their birthday on Monday, March 9, holding a red-carpet event at Chase Field.
In addition to officially being awarded a Major League Baseball expansion franchise on that date in in 1995, the franchise had another important occasion to recognize.
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The Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation, through integrated fundraising mechanisms and vast corporate partnerships, has generated more than $100 million in charitable and community impact since the team began play in 1998.
The Diamondbacks said they reached the $100 million plateau in a shorter amount of time than any other MLB franchise.
To mark the achievement, the team staged the celebration at their home field, complete with remarks from managing general partner Ken Kendrick, franchise legend Luis Gonzalez and CEO Derrick Hall, along with the announcement of a special proclamation by Governor Katie Hobbs dedicating March 9 as “D-backs Give Back Day,” to be held annually.
More than 100 nonprofit partners, civic leaders, donors and beneficiaries were expected to be in attendance to celebrate the event.
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Kendrick referenced a quote hanging on his wall from an anonymous author
“‘We are in the business of bringing joy to the lives of others,'” he told the crowd at Chase Field on March 9. “All of us here do that, whether you realize that is what you are doing, it is what you are doing.”
Hall emphasized the importance of Diamondbacks followers and supporters.
“It’s a giant milestone, obviously, and it feels strange for us to talk about it because we usually don’t pat ourselves on the back or brag about it because it really is about those who helped us get there,” Hall told The Arizona Republic before the event. “So, it’s not so much about the Diamondbacks; it’s about ownership that is behind this. It’s about the fans that contribute, the corporate partners that contribute, our employees and the players and coaches that contribute.
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“Collectively, it’s a salute to them and the fun thing about it is being able to announce it to them (Monday) and then saying, ‘And now it’s time to focus on the next $100 million, and it starts now.’ ”
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Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate $100M in charity donations
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Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate $100M in charity donations
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Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate $100M in charity donations
Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate the $100 million raised by the D-backs Give Back charity donations during an event at Chase Field on March 9, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate $100M in charity donations
Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate the $100 million raised by the D-backs Give Back charity donations during an event at Chase Field on March 9, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate $100M in charity donations
Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate the $100 million raised by the D-backs Give Back charity donations during an event at Chase Field on March 9, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate $100M in charity donations
Arizona Diamondbacks CEO Derrick Hall celebrates the $100 million raised by the D-backs Give Back charity during an event at Chase Field on March 9, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate $100M in charity donations
Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate the $100 million raised by the D-backs Give Back charity donations during an event at Chase Field on March 9, 2026, in Phoenix.
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Arizona Diamondbacks celebrate $100M in charity donations
Arizona Diamondbacks CEO Derrick Hall celebrates the $100 million raised by the D-backs Give Back charity during an event at Chase Field on March 9, 2026, in Phoenix.
Marcia Mintz, president and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Valley, which has received more than $3 million in donations from the ballclub, won’t be surprised if the Diamondbacks raise another $100 million in short order, saying, “They put their money where their mouth is when they get involved.”
She added: “Raising another $100 million, that’s exactly the character of the Diamondbacks. They go above and beyond, I think, what any sports team does in our community.”
In 2011, Mintz notes, the Diamondbacks built a large and special Boys & Girls Club branch not far from Chase Field and to this day, she said, “Everybody is involved, from the owners to the players to the wives of the players to their community partners — it’s a very special place.”
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In 2025 alone, the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation raised a record $13.2 million and distributed $7.2 million in charitable support, marking the most impactful year in franchise history. More than $5.7 million in funds were generated just through the Diamondbacks’ 50/50 Raffle.
Mike Dipper and Jennifer Francisco with Matthew’s Crossing Food Bank celebrate the $100 million raised by the D-backs Give Back fund that benefits charities across Arizona during an event hosted by the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on March 9, 2026, in Phoenix.
Throughout the years, $12.8 million has been awarded by the Foundation through Ken Kendrick Grand Slam Awards and an additional $7-plus million has been distributed through Derrick Hall President’s Circle Grants. The Foundation has also built or renovated 46 youth baseball and softball fields statewide, constructed six Kendrick Family Fields and developed what is believed to be the largest youth jersey program in professional sports.
Kendrick also mentioned the great Jackie Robinson: “His most famous quote, to me, was, ‘None of our lives are important other than the impact they have on the lives of others.’ Everybody here is impacting the lives of others.”
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Key milestones achieved in 2025 through health and wellness initiatives included raising $100,000 for the Phoenix Children’s Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, $100,000 for the Dignity Health Cancer Institute, $200,000 each to Banner Spots Medicine and the Ivy Brain Tumor Center, plus charitable support for domestic violence survivors and other healthcare objectives statewide.
As part of the Foundation’s Education and STEM Innovation last year, $150,000 was awarded to Arizona schools, including 300 classrooms supported across 30 Title I schools, along with full-tuition scholarships to first-generation students, thousands of backpack distributions, and various robotics and STEM competitions at Chase Field.
The Foundation also continues to support veterans, and in 2025, provided $250,000 toward transitional housing, donated $75,000 to Honor Flight Arizona and offered additional help through ongoing reintegration and housing support programs.
The St. Mary’s Food Bank is the largest hunger relief organization in Arizona, covering all of Maricopa County and beyond, all the way up to the Grand Canyon and throughout multiple tribal communities. It wouldn’t be possible for the organization to achieve its goals without the type of annual support it receives from the Diamondbacks Foundation, according to Milt Liu, president and CEO of St. Mary’s Food Bank.
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“We’ve been partners with them since the Diamondbacks started in 1998 and over that time, the Diamondbacks have donated over $1 million to the Food Bank,” Liu said. “The great thing about the Diamondbacks is that it isn’t just about the money. They’re very interested in specific programs.
“They’ve supported school pantries in some of the local elementary schools that we’ve partnered with them on, and Ken Kendrick has personally been supportive of us donating turkeys for Thanksgiving.”
It’s not just the money, Liu said, but the investment of time and care that the Diamondbacks continue to provide.
“They really help us talk to other foundations and funders as well,” he said. “It’s not only the value of the $1 million that they’ve provided over these many years, but the general support from the players and the organization leaders who help us in ways that stretch beyond just the financial aspects.”
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“D-backs Give Back Day” isn’t just a tribute to the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation. It’s also a special salute to the people and places that helped put the first $100 million to good use — the nonprofit partners, civic leaders, donors and beneficiaries.
“When I first approached Derrick and Ken and said we’re getting close to that $100 million number, Derrick and Ken both said, ‘This isn’t about us; it’s about the people and the community that are doing the work,’” said Debbie Castaldo, the executive director of the Foundation and team’s senior vice president of corporate and community impact. “It’s the nonprofit organizations, the leaders in the community who are touching lives and saving lives every single day.
“This event was born out of that thought, that we want to host the heroes, the community MVPs that are the ones actually making the difference. We’re having so much fun raising money, funding them, walking alongside them, but they’re the ones doing the hard work, so Monday is all about celebrating them.”
Kendrick wrapped up his presentation at Chase Field with a prized saying.
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“The final quote is the only quote I am known for and it’s a short one,” Kendrick said. “And if you are a Diamondbacks employee, you know this quote. And it’s rare occasions that I quote what I’m about to. It’s very brief. I use it on very, very special occasions and this is one of those occasions. ‘Today is a very great day to be a Diamondback.’ Thank you for being here.”
(Editor’s note: Originally known as Diamondbacks Charities in 1997, the team’s charitable arm changed its name to the Arizona Diamondbacks Foundation in 2007. The foundation is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Its fundraising and charitable activities are audited by Deloitte and made available to the public through sources such as GuideStar and other nonprofit databases.)
The Republic’s Diamondbacks beat writer Nick Piecoro contributed to this report.
This story has been updated to add new information.
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Reach McManaman at bob.mcmanaman@arizonarepublic. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter: @azbobbymac and listen to him live every Tuesday at 3:30 p.m. on Roc and Manuch with Jimmy B on ESPN 620 (KTAR-AM) and every Thursday on the Doug Franz Unplugged podcast via Apple or Spotify.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Diamondbacks Foundation ready to raise its next $100 million