FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Minor League Players Awarded $20,000 in Grants for Charitable Projects

Players’ Purpose Initiative Inspires Players to Make a Difference

NEW YORK, September 1 – The Players Trust, the charitable arm of the Major League Baseball Players Association, announced Callan Fang, Ben Hansen, Michael Trautwein and Wes Burton as recipients of $5,000 grants through the Players’ Purpose, an initiative that empowers active minor leaguers to design and execute charitable projects to create a meaningful impact in the community. 

The four winners emerged from a competitive pool of submissions from minor league players. Players Trust Minor League Ambassadors reviewed the projects and awarded a total of $20,000 in grants to Fang, Hansen, Trautwein and Burton based on the feasibility, community impact and overall values expressed in their submissions.  

“Callan, Ben, Michael and Wes’ dedication to using their platforms for good is inspiring and demonstrates the impact players can have within their communities,” said Chris Capuano, Chair of the Players Trust Board of Trustees. “We are proud to honor their commitment and sense of stewardship by naming them the recipients of the Players’ Purpose grant.”   

Fang, a pitcher in the Twins system, was selected by Minnesota in the 13^th round of the 2026 draft out of Harvard. The Pennsylvania native will be working with the Interfaith Food Alliance, a nonprofit based out of Morrisville, Pa. The IFA is a group of 15 faith-based communities that advocate, educate and provide resources to the Morrisville School District.

Fang and the IFA plan to alleviate hunger in the Pennsbury School District by assembling and distributing over 5,000 weekend meal bags. Fang’s three-phase initiative also includes a social media fundraising campaign and a bagging clinic where volunteers help source food and get it to the students who need it most. 

Hansen, a pitcher in the Red Sox system, is donating his grant to Equip2Play DR, a nonprofit committed to providing quality baseball equipment to underprivileged children in the Dominican Republic. Hansen started Equip2Play after witnessing the passion for baseball and lack of access to equipment in the Dominican Republic.

Hansen plans to use his grant to operate Equip2Play’s first baseball clinic. The clinic will take place in Nagua, D.R., and will provide 60-80 youth baseball players ages 9-14 with access to a structured baseball clinic, quality equipment and mentorship. 

Trautwein, a catcher in the Reds organization, is working with The Will-To-Live Foundation, an organization committed to raising awareness of teen suicide and mental illness by funding Signs of Suicide training for teachers and offering scholarships to high school and college students.

Trautwein plans to use his grant to fund 30 of the foundation's Life Teammate scholarships. 

Burton, a pitcher in the Guardians system, will donate his grant to Lost Boyz Inc., an organization that provides sports-based youth development to help boys and girls in Chicago’s under-resourced neighborhoods develop confidence, resilience, and life skills. 

Burton will use the funds to help keep the organization operational, after a recent decrease in government funding has left it facing a significant budget shortfall.

About the Players Trust

Established in 1996, the Major League Baseball Players Trust is the charitable arm of the Major League Baseball Players Association. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Players Trust is driven by players and inspired by the game. The Trust provides programs and resources that champion their individual and collective passions toward making a positive impact on the world and inspiring others to do the same. Through signature initiatives, strategic partnerships, and direct support, the Players Trust empowers current and former players to give back to the communities they care about most.

Learn more at www.playerstrust.org.