Prescott Valley, AZ — November 14, 2025 — Na7ive Na7ions, the first and only national Native American diamond sports program, has been awarded a substantial gift. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation at the Princeton Area Community Foundation to support its rapidly expanding national platform serving Native youth across Indian Country.
The investment, designated for general operating support, strengthens Na7ive Na7ions’ infrastructure at a pivotal moment of growth. Helping to fuel national tournament expansion, athlete development pathways, and strategic partnerships that are positioning the organization as a rising force in the global baseball ecosystem.
“This type of investment is super impactful,” said DJ Carrasco, Founder of Na7ive Na7ions. “It allows us to scale with intention and helps us build not just programs, but a national pipeline for Native athletes that connects community-based participation to elite competition and long-term opportunity.”
Na7ive Na7ions is redefining access and visibility in baseball and softball through a multi-layered model that includes:
- National intertribal tournaments, camps, and clinics hosted in partnership with sovereign Tribal Nations
- International competition pathways
- Partnerships with professional baseball and softball stakeholders
- A forthcoming documentary series amplifying the legacy and future of Native athletes
With participation from athletes representing Tribal Nations across the United States and Canada, Na7ive Na7ions is not only growing the game, but it is also creating measurable economic and social impact in the communities it serves.
As interest in Native talent pipelines and community-centered sports development continues to grow, Na7ive Na7ions is uniquely positioned at the intersection of sport, culture, and national visibility.
“This is about building legacy,” Carrasco added. “We are creating a platform that delivers value for Native athletes, Tribal communities, and partners who are committed to the future of the game.”