SCHOLARSHIPS & COMMUNITY GRANTS
The Nolan Ryan Foundation works year-round to raise funds for its scholarship program. The program was recently elevated by establishing a scholarship endowment fund that awards scholarships of up to $40,000, renewable for up to four years. Currently, the Foundation partners with the Round Rock ISD Partners in Education Foundation to provide scholarships to deserving local students.
The Nolan Ryan Foundation also awards the Willie Wells Memorial Scholarship every spring. Hall of Famer Willie Wells played for the Austin Black Senators, a Texas Negro League baseball team. In 2021, the Round Rock Express partnered with the Nolan Ryan Foundation to establish a scholarship in Wells' memory at Huston-Tillotson University in Austin.
Jeremiah Wiley, member of the Huston-Tillotson University baseball team, received the Willie Wells Memorial Scholarship presented by the Nolan Ryan Foundation in 2023.
Foster Angels received one of the 2023 Community Grants for $10,000.
The Round Rock Express and Nolan Ryan Foundation have joined forces to host a 50/50 Raffle at every home game. At the end of the year, the Nolan Ryan Foundation donates to several local nonprofit organizations in Central Texas through the 50/50 Raffle Community Grant Program.
The Nolan Ryan Foundation 50/50 Raffle Community Grant application is currently open. If you are a local nonprofit interested in applying for the Nolan Ryan Foundation 50/50 Raffle Community Grant, please download the application below. Applications must be submitted no later than November 3, 2025. Recipients will be notified and funds distributed by December 15, 2025.
2024 Community Grant Recipients:
AGE of Central Texas
Candlelight Ranch
Catalyst Collective
CC4C
Cerebral Palsy Awareness Transition Hope
Friends of the Children - Austin
Georgetown Project
HeartGift Foundation
Huston-Tillotson University Baseball & Softball Field Maintenance
Kinetic Kids
Learning Bridge
RBI Austin
Relational Care Ministries
ROCK, Ride on Center for Kids
Unbound