Yankees Receive Selig Award for Philanthropic Excellence

 

Yankee Stadium. Photo by Jason Schott.

The Yankees have been honored by Major League Baseball with the Allan H. Selig Award for Philanthropic Excellence in recognition of the impact of their annual HOPE Week.

There was a ceremony bestowing the most prestigious team award from MLB on Wednesday night before the Yankees' game against Toronto at Steinbrenner Field.

HOPE (Helping Others Persevere and Excel) Week was started in 2009, and takes place each summer on five consecutive days during a homestand. 

The Yankees put the spotlight on an inspiring individual, family, or organization on each day during the week, surprising them with a celebration of their accomplishments.

2025 marked the 16th year of Yankees HOPE Week, and they have had 78 unique honorees and 80 event days, which include 5-year and 10-year reunions. They have had honorees from 15 different states and 10 different countries. 

The Yankees' minor league affiliates have had their own HOPE Weeks for the past twelve years, letting the initiative touch hundreds of individuals and organizations of their teams in the rest of the United States and Dominican Republic.

More than $1 million has been donated by the Yankees to HOPE Week honorees and their related charities.

On Wednesday, the Yankees gave recognition to the 2026 Spring HOPE Week honoree, Gentlemen's Quest of Tampa, Inc., and here is a biography of what they do for the community (provided by the Yankees):

To further demonstrate their commitment to the Tampa region, the Yankees will - for the 13th time - honor a local, Tampa-based group during spring training. This year's spring honoree is Gentlemen's Quest of Tampa, Inc. (GQ), a  non-profit dedicated to helping teens and young men realize their full potential as students and make positive choices regarding academics and behavior.  Gentlemen's Quest equips program participants with the skills necessary to become productive citizens after they graduate. To accomplish this mission, GQ hosts workshops that provide students with strategies to be successful in difficult situations. Students attend meetings that are structured and targeted. The academic and behavioral programs of the students is monitored regularly, and the participants' intellectual, emotional, and relational capacity expands through experience. 

Established as a club in 2014 at Chamberlain High School by Founder and current Executive Tavis Myrick, Gentlemen's Quest has remained steadfast in its mission to equip its participants with the exposure, confidence, and leadership development to thrive in their communities. What began as a small mentoring group has evolved into a sustained movement. In 2025, the organization served approximately 850 young men with programs that included STEM Quest, a cross-curricular program that allows students to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a fun and engaging setting; the Job Readiness Program, which educates participants about various careers and money management; the Mother & Son Ball, a tradition celebrating the values of chivalry, etiquette, and the strength of family bonds; structured college tours to multiple universities; and various community service events. Additionally, GQ of Tampa awarded more than $50,000 in scholarships last year.

Among GQ of Tampa's participants, 100% of the high school seniors in the program graduated on time and enrolled in college, trade school, or the military. And 0% of the high school-age participants that were arrested at least once were rearrested.

To learn more about Gentlemen's Quest of Tampa, Inc., please visit their website at https://gqtampa.com.