First, some Pro Cause highlights:

Pro Cause went live on Aug 7, 2011 – the first post was a brief article about the Jorge Posada Foundation.

Preparation for the site went into effect many months before launching. The design of the site was meticulous. I hired my friend Tiago Cabaço (a world-class designer of sublime digital awesomeness) to design the site. I get frequent compliments on the site’s design.

The first Pro Cause interview was Aug 11, 2011 with Seattle Seahawks Pro Bowler Michael Robinson.

The most popular post on Pro Cause was the April 6, 2012 post on the Mariano Rivera Foundation. It posted right before Mariano Rivera was injured and search traffic for Mariano was off the charts in the following days.

My favorite interview was with soccer great Julie Foudy. She was all class and a lot of fun to chat with.

My favorite live event that I attended was the Steve Young Ski Classic at Snowbird, UT. Steve Young is as advertised: a leader.

The interview that perhaps taught me the most was with Craig Breslow (of the Diamondbacks at the time, now with the Red Sox). He shared some great insight into the challenges of managing a charitable foundation.

My biggest frustration was “the one that got away” – the interview that is. I won’t mention any names but let’s just say he switch-hits and plays right field for the New York Yankees (and is sliding into home above).

My biggest takeaway from all of the interviews and research I did was the opportunity cost in the world of sports-related social ventures. There are people with big hearts in this community. Athletes and coaches that want nothing more than to help those in need. They work hard and provide profoundly important services to the sick and needy. But there is also a lot of inefficiency. The non-profit sector is bogged down by its own virtue. Fundraising is stifling and consumes most of a foundation’s resources. I suggest a shift towards transparent, for-profit social ventures would dramatically increase efficiency.

Colophon: Pro Cause was powered by WordPress and hosted on Media Temple. I sourced the amazing images used on the site through US Presswire. I did some light editing using Pixelmator. Pro Cause was written, edited and fretted over on some combination of a 13″ MacBook Pro, iPad and iPhone.

In total, I posted 70 articles on Pro Cause including 12 interviews where I spoke directly with the athlete representing their foundation and many more interviews with executive directors and communications pros.

Why is Pro Cause signing off?

When I first launched Pro Cause I told myself I would give it a year and see what happens. At the time my only goals were to create really terrific content and promote some great causes. Mission accomplished. Barry Bonds famously said when the Giants lost the 2002 World Series he had always prayed he would make it to the World Series but he realized he should have prayed to win the World Series. I guess I feel the same way. My real goal should have been to make Pro Cause a sustainable business above and beyond my original goals. Lesson learned.

That said, I knew what I didn’t want for Pro Cause: to be just another “slappy” blog with weak ads that no one cares about or wants. I wanted no part of that. I think there was an opportunity to create a really high level sponsorship program that could have worked. Also, I had ideas for events and online services that subscriptions could have supported profitably. Those ideas still linger in the back of my mind…

In the end, I feel like I left it all out on the field as the classic sports cliché goes. I wasn’t able to pursue every single idea I had for Pro Cause but I did everything I could with the time and resources I had. Frankly, I’m really happy with Pro Cause. It was an awesome run.

What’s next? 

I’m working on a new concept. Sports and technology related, hopefully with a long-term sustainable business model. I’m on Twitter if you want to connect:

Follow @hughesmatt

As for Pro Cause, while I’m stepping down I still think there’s an opportunity for the Pro Cause brand to move forward. If someone was interested in assuming the mantle I would certainly be open to that discussion.

I want to thank everyone who supported Pro Cause. All of the athletes and charitable organizations that gave me access are well, awesome. And my wife, Mrs. Pro Cause, who provides me with intellectual and moral inspiration – thank you and I love you. Big kudos to the friends and readers too – thanks everyone.

Most of these organizations, including all of the organizations covered here on Pro Cause, hold fund-raising events. Events include, auctions, dinners, golf tournaments and various fun activities that attract engaged supporters. And some even accept simple financial donations via their web site.

So the question is, have you ever contributed financially to a sports-related charitable organization? Be it through an event, auction or straight-up cash contribution?

Vote below using this awesome polling service courtesy of Quipol -thumb’s up for yes, thumb’s down for now. Comments also welcome below.

Enter Brian Leonard. Currently entering his sixth NFL season (fourth with the Cinncinati Bengals), Leonard is a committed supporter of the cause. Embrace Kids executive director Glenn Jenkins says Leonard is “genuinely involved” and “knows the patients and their families intimately.” The close personal relationships is coupled with much needed financial support. The recent Rally at the Alley event, led by Brian Leonard, was a huge haul for Embrace Kids:

Thanks to everyone who came to my event! We raised over $55,000 (net) for @EmbraceKids foundation. We couldn’t do it without your support!

— Brian Leonard (@Brian40Leonard) March 20, 2012

To get a better idea of how Embrace Kids helps families in need please watch this terrific video produced by my friends at Malka Media Group. The beauty here is the closed loop relationship that develops between Sean Martin and his family, the Embrace Kids folks and Brian Leonard. Sean, a really sweet kid, steals the show:

Featured image courtesy of US Presswire

Featured image courtesy of US Presswire

Thank you to everyone who came to my golf outing benefiting the @AshleyLaurenFdn you guys made the day great.

— JAmAAl Westerman (@JWesterman52) May 15, 2012

After three productive years with the Jets Westerman has flown south to play for the Dolphins in 2012. I caught up with Jamaal briefly to discuss his golf tournament and charitable work:

How did you get involved with the Ashley Lauren Foundation?

JW: I was introduced to Ashley Lauren foundation through Pat Capra and Steve Brainard of Lunar Sports Group. I’ve always enjoyed attending charity events for my teammates through the years and I saw this event as an opportunity to have a bigger impact on children and families battling cancer. ALF looking for some help to grow their outing and I was looking for a cause that I could put my energy behind…I think it was a win-win.

What was the highlight of your recent charity golf event?

JW: There was a lot of cool things, but it felt great to have the support of so many of my former Rutgers teammates as well as Coach Flood. It was also neat to see some of the patient families getting to have fun with the athletes in attendance. This day is really about creating special memories for them.

What is your foundation’s goal in 2012?

JW: I don’t have my own Foundation just yet, until then I hope to continue raising funds and awareness for the good work being done by the Ashley Lauren Foundation. On that note, checkout ashleylaurenfoundation.org when you have a chance! (Note: I’m glad I asked this question because a lot of terrific charitable work can be done without the resources or constraints (depending on how you look at it) of managing a foundation. Well played Jamaal.)

Jamaal Westerman rocking his new Dolphins gear. Notice the number change to 52, honoring Eric LeGrand. #bELieve52

Talk about your friend and teammate Eric LeGrand, as a leader and inspiration?

JW: People were really excited to meet Eric LeGrand and share some time with him. He not only inspires me, but people across the country who have been touched by his spirit.

Night on the town: New York or Miami? 

JW: Not really fair to compare yet, I was in the NY/NJ area for a while…I haven’t really had a chance to checkout Miami too much just yet. Just been keeping my head in the playbook and working out since I got down here, trying to prep for the season…Check back in a year and I’ll break it down for you! Haha

Featured photo courtesy of US Presswire

The 5th Annual Anthony Fasano Golf Classic tee’s off at the Montclair Golf Club in West Orange, NJ today. The event benefits the REED Academy, serving children with autism. A host of NFL players support Fasano’s event.

He even takes to Twitter to make sure his friends and former teammates know they are invited:

I wonder of @MilesAustinIII will make an appearance at the anthonyfasanofoundation golf tourny this year?

— Anthony Fasano (@Anthony_Fasano) May 1, 2012

Fasano, entering his seventh NFL season, and fifth with the Dolphins is a rare breed: he’s a “Parcells guy”. Bill Parcells both drafted Fasano with the Cowboys, then traded for him two years later with the Dolphins. That’s some high praise for any NFL player.

I caught up with Fasano to discuss his foundation and today’s big event:

Welcome @mlbplayerstrust to twitter. Give them a follow. #CareActInspire

— Justin Verlander (@JustinVerlander) April 17, 2012

My interest was peaked so I spoke with a Players Trust representative to find out more:

Leading Off

Founded in 1996, the MLB Players Trust is operated by the MLB Players Association. The Trust has a committee of 25 players and is currently led by Yankees CF Curtis Granderson, Rockies Pitcher Jeremy Guthrie and the executive director of the MLB Player’s Association, Michael Weiner. Per the Player’s Trust webs site:

The Trust is funded through contributions from all MLBPA members, a percentage of licensing revenue and special events such as the the Players Trust Golf Tournament and various fundraising efforts.

The Players Trust essentially supports important causes in two ways: they help support individual player’s charities (many of which are covered here on Pro Cause).  And they collectively support several important organizations as chosen by the Player’s Trust.

Rounding Second

The Player’s Trusts is celebrating ten years of partnering with Volunteers of America. Serving over 2mil people annually, groups ranging from homeless children to veterans benefit from their services.

One of the Player’s Trusts signature initiative’s is the Action Team which encourages high school students to volunteer in their communities. Currently in over 150 schools, the program reaches across the US, into Puerto Rico and Japan.

Buses for Baseball provides underprivileged kids with the opportunity to attend MLB games. Over 11,500 kids have gone to MLB games through Buses for Baseball.

The Players Trust supports many other important causes. This terrific video highlights their reach:

Pennant

The Players Trust representative told me that their goal moving forward is “to encourage even more people to get involved in their own communities and to continue helping those in need all over the world.”  To date the Players Trust has donated over $12mil to important causes. Kudos to the MLB Players Trust.

Follow @mlbplayerstrust

Featured image courtesy of US Presswire

JACKIE’S DAY: All players and on-field personnel will once again wear #42 in recognition of Jackie Robinson Day on Sunday, April 15.

— MLB (@MLB) April 11, 2012

Jackie Robinson Day is well-documented – please note the many heartfelt tributes from around MLB. Commissioner Bud Selig on Jackie Robinson coming to baseball:

“It was baseball’s most powerful moment, its proudest moment. It changed America.”

The most transcendent figure in American sports history, Jackie Robinson was an amazing baseball player (winning the NL MVP 1949), his legacy as a social leader is unparalleled. He would write:

“The right of every American to first-class citizenship is the most important issue of our time.”

This brief Biography Channel piece chronicles his baseball career and its social impact:

The Jackie Robinson Foundation (JRF) was founded in 1973 shortly after Jackie’s passing. Committed to providing educational opportunities to underprivileged youth, The New York Times in 2008 said it “might be the best educational effort in the country…”  JRF has granted over $50mil in support, including $22mil in direct scholarships. Thousands of students across the country have been served by JRF.

Follow @JRFoundation

Jackie Robinson Day is baseball’s premier event, it’s finest hour.

Featured image courtesy of US Presswire

Enter Sandman

Follow @marianorivera

Mariano Rivera has followed Mr. Steinbrenner’s example. His foundation and charitable work, while not anonymous, are certainly discreet. Per the foundation web site, the Mariano Rivera Foundation currently supports at least two “computer houses” in underprivileged areas in Mariano’s native Panama and restored a Christian church, including creating a community center in New Rochelle, NY. (There are a number of additional local events the foundation supports not listed on the site. Like I said, discreet.)

Mariano gave a rare glimpse into the story behind his foundation in a terrific interview with Gotham Magazine this week:

The foundation started like this. We were making good money. Whatever I made was tithed to a church I was a member of—10 percent of my salary. I was giving a lot of money, so I decided to put this into a fund so we could help many churches, many people, in need. The foundation was just private—my wife and I, we did it alone.

I noted that Mariano’s new presence on Twitter back in October would increase engagement with his foundation (thanks for the RT Mariano):

Mo Rivera’s foundation themarianoriverafoundation.org-will get a solid boost from his new Twitter presence @MarianoRivera

— Pro Cause (@procause) October 28, 2011

Devout Faith

Mariano Rivera is a devout Christian – much of his charitable work manifests itself through his church. His baseball glove is famously inscribed with Philippians 4:13:

“I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me”

When you listen to Mariano’s perspective on his faith in God as a baseball player it certainly gives context to his charitable work. He recently spoke to the Tampa Bay Tribune about his pitching, specifically the famous cutter:

No one taught me that pitch. No one grabbed me and told me how to throw the cutter, no man — no one but God. It belongs to the Lord.

Recent Events

This past November, Mariano’s restaurant, Mo’s New York Grill partnered with HOPE Community Services to host 42 kids and their families for Thanksgiving dinner:

A Beautiful Thing

There is rampant speculation about Mariano Rivera’s retirement after the 2012 season. My suggestion to baseball fans everywhere is not to worry about it. Just sit back and enjoy the great Mo Rivera: master pitcher and eloquent statesman of the game. He’s all heart and one of the Yankees’ all-time greatest players. A delight for baseball fans and a model of stoic generosity. Enjoy.

Follow @procause

Featured image courtesy US Presswire

Steve Young has been Wasatch Adaptive Sports’ biggest advocate since 1985. I spoke briefly with the NFL Hall of Famer:

The interview with Steve gives great insight into the soul of the ‘Ski Classic’. I’ve enclosed some more ‘need to know’ below for greater context: 

Wasatch Adaptive Sports:

Wasatch Adaptive Sports (WAS) was founded in 1977 by Peter Mandler. WAS began teaching skiing and outdoor sports to special needs children and in recent years, has created programs for veterans. WAS is located at Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort in Utah and supported by the Forever Young Foundation and Snowbird. They currently operate out of a tiny office at Snowbird. At last night’s dinner, WAS formally announced their plans to build a state-of-the-art 12,000′ facility in partnership with Snowbird to better serve their community – wow!

Forever Young Foundation:

Per the foundation web site: Founded in 1993 by NFL Hall of Famer and Super Bowl MVP Steve Young, Forever Young Foundation is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that serves children facing significant physical, emotional, and financial challenges. Funds raised further our efforts to provide academic, athletic, and therapeutic opportunities currently unavailable to these children. Forever Young Foundation primarily focuses our efforts in Northern California, Arizona, Utah, and Ghana, Africa.

Ski Classic:

Part ski race, part auction-dinner…early Saturday, students from WAS tested their mettle on the slopes against a host of NFL, NBA and Olympic athletes. By my unofficial count, the WAS students went undefeated. Former Philadelphia Eagle Chad Lewis, Olympic Speed Skating Gold Medalist Derrick Para, long-time Utah Jazz center Mark Eaton, University of Utah head football coach Kyle Whittingham, and of course Steve Young were among the pros that raced to support WAS. The ski race culminated with a great rewards ceremony:

The next stage of the event was a dinner/auction held at Snowbird’s famous Cliff Lodge. Some terrific items were up for bid:

Primo auction item: roam the sideline on MNF w/ Steve Young – Steve Young Celebrity Ski Classic instagr.am/p/ISu0zfpwQK/

— Pro Cause (@procause) March 17, 2012

The auction went off! There was no official word on the total haul at the time of this posting but I’m hoping it was well over the desired $300,000.

By far the most compelling moments of the night were the heartfelt testimonials given by WAS students. It’s not easy to make a room of 500 people cry but that’s pretty much what happened. A recently returned Iraq veteran in particular really set my emotions off. After suffering considerable injuries in combat, namely eight concussions, he talked about the sense of accomplishment skiing with WAS at Snowbird gives him. And perhaps more importantly that WAS has reminded him that life is good – there is hope. It was a profound moment, the highlight of the entire event for yours truly.

Snowbird: 

If you haven’t been to Snowbird, it’s high-time. It’s big and absolutely breath-taking. Not to mention the world-famous powder – as good as you might think it is, it’s even better. Snowbird (and neighboring Alta) are my old my old stomping grounds and it’s a thrill every time I get to go back. I will say that after this past weekend I see Snowbird in an entirely new light. Their support of WAS is just tremendous. Snowbird President Bob Bonar called the Ski Classic “the single most important event of the year at Snowbird.”

Featured image courtesy of US Presswire