Four Pillars Fund
Research – Preservation – Scholarship – Future of the Game. These are the four pillars on which SABR stands as an organization.
Each represents one of our core values, and together they form the foundation of a global community dedicated to understanding, celebrating, and advancing the great game of baseball. With the support of donors like you, we’re not only fortifying that foundation, but we’re also building what comes next.
This spring, we ask you to contribute to the FOUR PILLARS FUND. Our goal is to raise $85,000 to strengthen each of our four pillars by supporting research, committing to preservation, furthering the reach of our scholarship, and building a bridge to the future of the game.
We will use your most generous donation to impact these pillars by bolstering existing efforts and undertaking exciting new initiatives in each area:
Continuing support for groundbreaking baseball-related research, books, articles, and member resources, including:
- Expansion and maintenance of the Research Resources portal at SABR.org, including members-only assets like Newspapers.com, ProQuest, and Paper of Record archives, the Weiss Baseball Questionnaires, and MLB Team Employee Database
- Introduction of a new Research Grants program, awarding up to $10,000 annually to support original scholarly work that aligns with SABR’s core mission, including our inaugural recipients announced this April
Committing to preserve, honor, and commemorate baseball history, including:
- Funding SABR Local Grants, whose 2026 recipients include a historical marker project in Iowa in addition to initiatives in Northern New Jersey, Minneapolis, Washington, DC, and New Orleans
- Continuing support for the work of the Negro Leagues Baseball Grave Marker Project, which completed five installations in 2025 and has three under way so far in 2026, and 19th Century Baseball Grave Marker Project
Furthering the reach and impact of SABR’s world-class committees, chapters, conferences, and volunteer efforts, including:
- Building of SABR’s All-Time Eras Teams, an interactive experience for all SABR members to participate in as we celebrate the 150 years of baseball and American history since the founding of the National League in 1876
- Introduction of Institutional Memberships, extending SABR’s membership benefits to organizations like libraries, museums, historical societies, and educational partners
- Showcase of baseball research through hundreds of SABR Events annually, including more than 600 events in 2025 – double the number of events held in 2020.
Improving SABR’s ability to engage with a wider constituency and the next generation of baseball researchers, including:
- Expansion of the Sarah Langs Women in Baseball Scholarship at the SABR Analytics Conference and the Anthony and Nanar Yoseloff Scholarship, which now sends students to the Jerry Malloy Negro League Conference, in addition to the SABR Analytics Conference and SABR Annual Convention
- Release of Level Four in the SABR Analytics Certification Program, and plans to introduce Spanish-language translations of existing courses in the on-demand curriculum offering professional development and learning opportunities for those interested in elevating their skills and knowledge relating to baseball analytics
Of course, work continues in many other areas, within SABR committees, chapters, and by individual researchers, that will make new resources available to our members and the global baseball community.
Plus, there are some great incentives for contributing during the Four Pillars Fund.
All donors making a gift of $150 or more will receive:
- SABR-branded clear tote bag, perfect for ballgames and events requiring transparent bags at security checkpoints
- Recognition on SABR website, newsletter, and Annual Report
All donors making a gift of $300 or more will receive:
- Invite to “An Evening with Todd Radom”, a virtual event exclusive for SABR donors featuring a Q&A session with fellow the SABR member and decorated designer, writer and sports branding expert
- SABR-branded clear tote bag, perfect for ballgames and events requiring transparent bags at security checkpoints
- Recognition on SABR website, newsletter, and Annual Report
All donors making a gift of $500 or more will receive:
- Signed copy of The Ballpark and Beyond, a celebration of baseball’s 150-year history with 150 original illustrations (and 75,000 words) by SABR member and designer Todd Radom
- Invite to “An Evening with Todd Radom”, a virtual event exclusive for SABR donors featuring a Q&A session with fellow the SABR member and decorated designer, writer and sports branding expert
- SABR-branded clear tote bag, perfect for ballgames and events requiring transparent bags at security checkpoints
- Recognition on SABR website, newsletter, and Annual Report
Thank you so much for your consideration in joining the Four Pillars Fund!