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1 Dow Diamond 825 E. Main Street P.O. Box 365 Midland, MI Toll Free:

2 2008 community Report Making a Difference One Game at a Time

3 Boys & Girls Running Bases at Dow Diamond 2008 Grant Recipient: The Legacy Center for Student Success - Preschool Tool Tote Program

Michigan Baseball Foundation The Michigan Baseball Foundation (MBF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit public charity that was founded in 2006 to create regional economic development through creative

4 Michigan Baseball Foundation The Michigan Baseball Foundation (MBF) is a 501(c)3 non-profit public charity that was founded in 2006 to create regional economic development through creative partnerships and to enhance the efforts of regional organizations that serve young people. The Michigan Baseball Foundation owns and operates Dow Diamond, the home of the Great Lakes Loons, a Class A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. As one of the nation s only non-profit, charitable professional sports facilities and franchises, the Michigan Baseball Foundation and the Loons represent a unique asset for our region. MBF received initial funding from the following sources: The Dow Chemical Company Foundation The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation The Dow Corning Corporation The Rollin M. Gerstacker Foundation The Charles J. Strosacker Foundation The Bill and Linda Stavropoulos Foundation The Michigan Baseball Foundation s mission is to revitalize and reinvigorate the Mid-Michigan region by promoting greater economic and civic prosperity through the Great Lakes Loons baseball club and by operating the finest Minor League baseball facility and events center in the nation, Dow Diamond Grant Recipient: Alma Baseball 1

Charter and Mission The Michigan Baseball Foundation, a Michigan non-profit corporation, will create regional economic development and support youth organizations through creative partnerships and

5 Charter and Mission The Michigan Baseball Foundation, a Michigan non-profit corporation, will create regional economic development and support youth organizations through creative partnerships and grants by operating the finest Minor League baseball facility and events center in the nation. The Michigan Baseball Foundation will fulfill this mission by: Promoting and contributing to local and regional economic development, job creation, quality of life, and regional civic pride Providing an outstanding venue for affordable family entertainment to the region Creating the ideal environment for minor league player development Maintaining and operating the finest stadium and event center in the nation for team games and other events such as amateur baseball, concerts, and corporate events 2008 Grant Recipient: Boys & Girls Club 2

Dow Diamond Michigan Baseball Foundation Goals Financial Results Achieve financial plan in order to provide for long-term maintenance and improvement of Dow Diamond, to create new business

6 Dow Diamond Michigan Baseball Foundation Goals Financial Results Achieve financial plan in order to provide for long-term maintenance and improvement of Dow Diamond, to create new business opportunities, and to award grants to qualifying community organizations. Economic Development and Community Involvement Partner with local and regional economic development efforts, form partnerships with community organizations, make facility available for public use, and award grants to qualifying community organizations. Service, Entertainment, and Facility Excellence Become the model Minor League Baseball facility, exceed guest and partner expectations, maintain facility as better than new. Employee Development Support employee career development and personal life and provide learning opportunities for employees and area students. 3

7 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT HIGHLIGHTS Job Creation The Michigan Baseball Foundation created 27 full-time positions through the Great Lakes Loons baseball organization and the construction of Dow Diamond. In addition, 250 game-day positions have been created to fulfill the operational needs of Dow Diamond during Loons home games and various special events. Land Acquisition The Michigan Baseball Foundation is an active partner in land acquisition efforts surrounding Dow Diamond to create additional local and regional economic development opportunities. Spending The Great Lakes Loons and Dow Diamond maintain a payroll of $1,800,000 for full-time and game-day staff throughout the calendar year. In addition, an estimated $2,000,000 was spent with local vendors in 2007 and again in An estimated 4,000 hotel room nights were booked in 2007 and 2008 in conjunction with Loons games and events. The 2008 Midwest League (MWL) All-Star Game, hosted at Dow Diamond, was a significant economic impact from visitors traveling to Midland for the All-Star Game and surrounding events. Loons home games have also resulted in a significant increase in downtown spending for local businesses. Business and Career Development In June 2008, the Michigan Baseball Foundation provided financing to facilitate the purchase of ESPN FM, creating three additional full-time and several part-time positions. Over the past two seasons, 36 internship positions have been filled with local college students in addition to many practicum volunteer hours with college students. 4

8 Keep the Diamond Shining The Michigan Baseball Foundation owns and operates Dow Diamond. Dow Diamond is a state-of-the-art, 5,200 capacity baseball stadium located in downtown Midland, Michigan. Dow Diamond serves as home to the Great Lakes Loons, and year-round events, such as weddings, receptions, corporate trade shows, concerts, and other functions. Since opening its doors on April 13, 2006, Dow Diamond has hosted over 412 events: 140 Loons games, the MWL All-Star Game, 270 special events for the Mid-Michigan area, including high school and college baseball games, a major concert, formal dinners, receptions, and other functions. Dow Diamond has received recognition in the following areas: Best New Ballpark of 2007 by Baseball Digest 2007 Midwest League Field and Grounds Crew of the Year Bette R. Tollar 2007 Civic Commitment Award National Excellence in Construction Award (Three Rivers Corporation) Keep Michigan Beautiful President s Plaque 2008 Fundraising To maintain its 501(c)3 status, the Michigan Baseball Foundation will continue to refine current fundraising endeavors, while pursuing additional fund development opportunities. To date, the MBF Board Members and Great Lakes Loons staff have made financial contributions to the Michigan Baseball Foundation in order to add to the economic impact Dow Diamond has had and will continue to have in the region. 5

2008 Grant Recipient: The Rock - Climbing Wall Charitable Impact Grants Each year, the Michigan Baseball Foundation accepts grant applications beginning in mid-november.

9 2008 Grant Recipient: The Rock - Climbing Wall Charitable Impact Grants Each year, the Michigan Baseball Foundation accepts grant applications beginning in mid-november. The applications are reviewed by the MBF grant committee, which awards grants of various amounts to deserving non-profit organizations. In 2008, a total of 25 non-profit organizations representing nine counties received a total of $100,500 in grants for their deserving groups. All organizations were required to meet at least one of the following guidelines, which reflect the purpose for which the Michigan Baseball Foundation was organized: The organization contributes to regional economic development. The organization is based in the Mid-Michigan area and serves young people. The funded project/program promotes amateur sports. 6

10 Other Charitable Efforts The Michigan Baseball Foundation with the Great Lakes Loons is also involved in charitable efforts year round through financial and ticket donations, concession stand fundraising opportunities, and reduced rates for non-profit groups to use the stadium on non-game days: Approximately $150,000 was raised by regional non-profit organizations by staffing concession stands in Over $140,000 of exposure was donated to regional non-profit organizations in through the Community Organization of the Night program, sponsored by Saginaw Valley State University. Over $86,000 was donated to regional nonprofit organizations and individuals in the form of tickets, merchandise, memorabilia, and funds raised including over $36,000 through jersey auctions in conjunction with MidMichigan Health, and $21,000 in scholarships in partnership with Dow Corning. Over 500 ticket donations were made to area community groups and families through the MBF ticket donation program. $4,000 was donated to Cancer Services through Loons double plays sponsored by Farm Bureau Insurance. $4,000 was donated to Big Brothers/Big Sisters through Loons home runs sponsored by Dow Corning. Over 300 hours of time were volunteered by Great Lakes Loons Staff and Team with community organization boards, businesses, and schools. 7

11 2008 Grant Recipient: New backstop at St. Paul s in Bay City Michigan Baseball Foundation Officers & Board of Directors Bill Stavropoulos, President Former Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of The Dow Chemical Company Michael Hayes, Vice President President, Main Street Consulting Jenee Velasquez, Vice President Executive Director of The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation Bill Weideman, Treasurer Corporate Vice President and Controller of The Dow Chemical Company John Bartos, Director Trustee of the Charles J. Strosacker Foundation Pat Dawson, Director President for Polyurethanes Business Group of The Dow Chemical Company Eric Gilbertson, Director President of Saginaw Valley State University Susan Kaltenbach, Director County Clerk of Saginaw County Martin McGuire, Director Managing Director of Dow Gardens Dominic Monastiere, Director Vice President and Chief Risk Management Officer Chemical Bank Abbe Mulders, Director Chief Information Officer of the Dow Corning Corporation 8

12 2008 Recipients List Alma Little League (Alma) $2,500 - Constructed 1500 sq. ft. walkway at Euclid Field Bay City Public Schools (BC Western HS)(Auburn) $4,000 - Press Box Renovation Beaver Baseball Association, Inc. (Kawkawlin) $4,000 - Fenced in T-Ball field Boy Scout Troop 631 (Alma) $500 - Created Loon Nesting islands Boys & Girls Club of Saginaw County (Saginaw) $5,000 - Purchased Awards for Teams Caro Little League (Caro) $2,500 - Purchased breakaway bases. City of Midland - MCTV (Midland) $4,300 - Purchased NewTek Tricaster Production System Clare High School (Clare) $2,500 - Upgraded playing surface of softball field Fraternal Northwest Little League (Midland) $2,500 - Raised playing surfaces, installed safety bases and patched fields Freeland Little League (Freeland) $7,500 - Improvements to bleachers, scoreboards, batting cages Gladwin Little League (Gladwin) $2,500 - Purchased two batting cage nets and frames Greater Midland Community Centers, Inc. (Midland) $6,500 - Campus improvements - children s playscape Hemlock/Richland Township Baseball (Hemlock) $3,500 - Purchased new scoreboard Legacy Center for Student Success (Midland) $2,000 - Purchased preschool totes Midland Girls Softball League (Midland) $3,000 - Purchased new bases and plates, improved batting cages, purchased equipment Midland Soccer Club (Midland) $5,000 - Purchased tables for soccer field Midland Tomorrow (Midland) $7,700 - Conducted a fiber network feasibility study Midland Westown Little League (Midland) $2,500 - Painted dugouts, equipment building and concessions stand Mt. Pleasant Little League (Mount Pleasant) $2,500 - Reconstructed mounds Northeast Little League of Midland (Midland) $2,500 - Purchased breakaway bases and fence guards Saginaw Township Little League, Inc. (Saginaw) $8,000 - Renovated pitching mounds and home plate areas (3 fields); built a batting facility Spartan Athletic Booster Club (Pinconning) $4,000 - Resurfaced fields St. Paul Lutheran (Bay City) $4,000 - Purchased one backstop and baseline fences; installed outfield distance makers The ROCK (Midland) $4,000 - Purchased climbing wall United Way 2-1-1: Midland Call Center (Midland) $7,500 - Call Center expansion into Northeast Michigan 10

The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation Creative Philanthropy that Transforms Communities

The Northwood University Idea Magazine 12/04 The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation Creative Philanthropy that Transforms Communities By, Laurie S. Moison It ought to be easy to record how much a foundation