About RBI Austin
Supporting Austin’s Inner-city Youth
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Who we Are
RBI Austin exists to engage and develop inner-city Austin youth athletically, academically, and spiritually, empowering them to lead the transformation of their communities.
What We Do
Connect Kids to Mentor Relationships
We believe the greatest need in any child’s life is relationships – relationships with people and a relationship with God.
RBI Austin leverages baseball and softball to connect kids to positive, consistent relationships.
Make Sports Affordable
We believe all kids should have access to sports, teammates, and community.
RBI Austin makes baseball and softball (and year-round relationships!) affordable and accessible for all youth in Austin — regardless of their age, their skill level, or their household income.
Develop Players on + Off the field
We love the games of baseball and softball, but we care about more than just developing better athletes.
Sports are simply the way that we bring people together and connect kids to teams, coaches, mentors, and a community of support.
Close The Gap
Since 2011, the disparity in team sports participation between kids from low-income and middle-class homes has grown drastically. During that same timeframe, RBI Austin has grown from 118 kids in 2011 to over 1,300 kids playing baseball and softball in 2021.
How We Started
When RBI Austin founders Matt Price and Andy Harris began helping coach an understaffed Reagan High School baseball program in 2009, they quickly saw a much greater need than just helping with the game of baseball.
With the support and guidance from East Austin community leader Deborah Warren, they realized that kids from under-resourced communities had fewer opportunities compared to kids from more affluent communities – like the opportunity to play sports outside of school. But even more than a need for access to sports, Matt and Andy realized that these kids also had fewer opportunities to be connected to positive, consistent relationships with adults.
Desiring to see that change, RBI Austin began as a way to provide Christian-based mentoring through affordable baseball and softball programs to underserved youth in Austin, Texas.
FAQs:
Who does RBI Austin serve?
RBI Austin targets youth and families from Austin’s underserved communities. Jr. RBI is for boys and girls ages 4-12. RBI is for boys and girls ages 13 – 18. In 2021, RBI Austin served 1,353 kids. All people are welcome to participate in RBI Austin programs regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, ethnicity, religion, or ability to pay.
Is RBI Austin a nonprofit organization?
Yes, RBI Austin is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID 82-3961043), and is governed by a local board of directors.
Is RBI Austin faith-based?
Yes. RBI Austin’s mission and vision are driven by the gospel of Jesus Christ, and we provide opportunities for participants to be developed spiritually through optional mentoring and discipleship programs.
How is RBI Austin funded?
RBI Austin is 94% funded by contributions from individual donors, foundations and corporate sponsors. Our program revenues account for the other 6% of our budget.
What does “RBI” stand for?
RBI stands for Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities.
Who started Major League Baseball’s Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI) Program?
John Young, a former Major League Baseball player, developed the concept of RBI in 1989 to provide disadvantaged youth an opportunity to learn and enjoy the game of baseball. To read more about how RBI was started click here.
How many RBI programs does Major League Baseball have?
There are approximately 300 Major League Baseball RBI programs established in more than 200 cities worldwide. Since the inception of the program, over 1 million children have participated in MLB RBI programs and annually as many as 150,000 boys and girls play in an RBI league.
Who runs other RBI programs?
All RBI programs are run by local organizations including Boys & Girls Clubs, MLB and Minor League Baseball Clubs, faith-based organizations, community-based organizations, independent baseball/softball organizations, and grassroots organizations.
What is RBI Austin’s relationship with Major League Baseball?
RBI Austin is an affiliate of Major League Baseball’s RBI program. While MLB serves as a resource for RBI Austin, it does not provide any funding toward RBI Austin’s operating budget.
