In a powerful display of compassion and community commitment, New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge has announced a $20 million personal donation to combat homelessness in New York City. The donation, one of the largest by an active professional athlete in the city’s history, will go directly toward funding housing initiatives, mental health services, and job training programs for the city’s unhoused population.
Judge made the surprise announcement during a press conference held at the BronxWorks Community Center, a nonprofit he has quietly supported for several years.
“New York has given me so much — from the fans to the community — and it’s time I give something back in a big way,” Judge said. “Homelessness is a crisis that affects real people, real families, and it’s time we do more than talk. It’s time we take action.”
Transforming Lives Through Hope and Opportunity
Judge’s donation will be split among several established organizations, including BronxWorks, The Bowery Mission, Coalition for the Homeless, and the newly formed Homeplate Project NYC, a program spearheaded by Judge himself. The new initiative aims to build affordable housing units in underutilized urban spaces and fund wraparound support services for individuals transitioning out of homelessness.
The Homeplate Project will also include:
- A dedicated mental health and addiction recovery center
- Vocational and job readiness training programs
- Youth mentorship and education pathways targeting at-risk teens
The goal, Judge emphasized, is “long-term change, not just short-term relief.”
A Community Hero On and Off the Field
Mayor Eric Adams called the donation “a game-changer,” praising Judge for stepping up in a city that continues to grapple with rising housing insecurity.
“Aaron Judge just hit a home run for humanity,” Adams said. “This kind of leadership off the field is what makes him not only a Yankee legend but a New York City legend.”
Teammates and fellow athletes also took to social media to applaud Judge’s gesture. Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole tweeted: “Proud to call you a teammate. What a way to use your platform, big man.”
Not Judge’s First Act of Giving
This is not the first time Aaron Judge has engaged in philanthropy. Through his ALL RISE Foundation, he has long supported underprivileged youth, education initiatives, and after-school programs. However, this latest donation marks the most significant and personal effort of his charitable work to date.
In a heartfelt moment during the press event, Judge shared that his own extended family had faced housing insecurity when he was a child, saying, “I know how close anyone can be to the edge. Sometimes all it takes is one helping hand to change a life.”
Looking Ahead
Construction on the first set of homes funded by the Homeplate Project is expected to begin in early 2026, with the initial phase aiming to house up to 250 individuals and families by the end of the year. Plans also include partnerships with city agencies to ensure long-term sustainability and integration into the broader support network.
Judge concluded the announcement by encouraging other athletes and public figures to use their influence for positive change:
“If you’re in a position to help — do it. We all have a role to play in building a better city.”
Aaron Judge’s powerful act of generosity is not just a financial commitment — it’s a call to action, a reminder that the true measure of greatness goes far beyond the ballpark.
