Background

The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation (CRSF) helps to strengthen America’s most underserved and distressed communities by supporting and advocating for children, building Youth Development Parks, partnering with law enforcement and youth service agencies, and addressing community needs through its national program initiatives.

Each year, through dedicated corporate partners and donors, their reach across the Country continues to grow. To date, CRSF has opened 118 Youth Development Parks in 26 states and Washington, D.C.

Recognizing the need for STEM education for elementary students, the CRSF launched a program to develop STEM centers in communities, partnering with partners focused in science, technology and energy. The program yielded immediate success and to date, CRSF has completed more than 433 STEM  centers in 23 states.

Strategy

For each CRSF project or market initiative, Maroon PR develops a unique media relations strategy within the market. Whether it is a large metropolitan city or a local township, the goal is to distribute information about the efforts to the right media members, control the message and garner positive attention for the CRSF and its partners.

Our approach isn’t to just issue press releases. We conduct research, manage exclusive stories for different aspects of the project to select media, and facilitate media tours and/or press events when applicable.

In key markets or with key funders, Maroon PR creates video content to provide content for partners and the CRSF to be able to share the larger story compellingly. 

Key Successes

The Youth Development Park and STEM initiative have become two of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation’s primary programs with completed projects in cities across the U.S., including major markets, like Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., and Chicago as well as smaller markets like Rio Rancho, NM,  Lancaster, PA and Williston, ND.  Maroon PR has successfully garnered media attention in every market, as well as nationally.

Partners of each project have been happy with the coverage they have received, which is a main indicator of success for this client.

As a result of the media exposure, the organization’s brand is recognized on a national level, and the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation has been able to attract new partners and interest from officials seeking to bring STEM Centers and Youth Development Park to their city to provide at-risk youth with a safe place to learn and play. 

• In 2023, Maroon PR landed 273 media hits for 44 Ripken Foundation Events or Initiatives