Rachel Robinson, with the assistance of Martin Edelman, Charles Williams & Franklin Williams, honors her husband’s memory by establishing the Jackie Robinson Foundation following his death in October 1972.

JRF becomes the sole beneficiary of “An Afternoon of Jazz” concert. The concert began in 1963 as a way to raise bail money for jailed civil-rights activists.

The first JRF Scholar, Debora Young, graduates from Boston College. Rachel Robinson is on hand to present Debora her degree.

JRF hosts its first independent Awards Dinner. ROBIE Awards, the Foundation’s highest tribute to an extraordinary individual who has devoted a lifetime to the promotion of social justice and human dignity, are presented to Arthur Ashe and Ralph Ward.

The first Scholars’ Networking Weekend (now Mentoring and Leadership Conference) is held at the Robinson home in Connecticut.

The JRF Alumni Association is established. They begin serving as peer mentors and are appointed to regional Selection Committees.

Betty Phillips Adams is named JRF’s second President and CEO.

The Founders Award is created to pay tribute to those who gave the Foundation its life. The late JRF vice chair Franklin W. Williams receives the first award for his ongoing leadership, support and loyalty.

JRF establishes the Ralph E. Ward Achievement Award in honor of Ward’s generosity and personal commitment to JR scholars. The award provides a $5,000 cash grant to the graduating Scholar with the highest grade point average. Gregg Gonsalves is the first recipient.

The formal assignment of JR alumni to scholarship selection committees was initiated and the board of directors designates that two seats be held for alumni. John Skipper and Elaine Weddington become the first alumni to hold these positions, thereby integrating alumni into the structure of JRF.

The Spike Lee Youth Motivation Award is given to the scholar demonstrating the most outstanding community service involvement each year.

Rachel Robinson steps down as Chairman of JRF’s Board of Directors. Leonard S. Coleman, Jr., President of the National League of Major League Baseball, is elected the new Chairman

The nation, led by President Bill Clinton, celebrates the 50th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s historic entry into baseball. Major League Baseball honors him during a nationally televised ceremony at Shea Stadium by retring his number “42” in perpetuity. JRF launches a $12 million endowment campaign with a $1 million gift from Major League Baseball.

August 1998
Steven Brown is named the Foundation’s third President and CEO.

September 2001
The Starr Foundation awards the Foundation the first of two grants totalling $1.7 million. It was the largest single gift received by JRF at that time and allowed the Foundation to substantially increase the numbers of Scholars served.

March 2003
JRF reaches significant milestone: The 100th JRF/Unilever Scholar is selected & JRF passes $10 million in scholarship aid.

January 2004
Della Britton Baeza is named the fourth President and CEO of the Jackie Robinson Foundation. She initiates a strategic plan for the future of JRF to expand its donor base, program offerings, the number of Scholars served, and technological capability.

May 2006
JRF launches the $42 million Legacy Campaign. The funds that are raised will be used to: build new administrative offices for the Foundation, build the Jackie Robinson Museum and strengthen the Foundation’s endowment.

August 27, 2007
JRF opens it’s new state of the art offices in the SoHo district of New York City.

Spring 2008
The first class of JRF Scholars to receive a Rachel Robinson International Fellowship (RRIF), a global initiative to give Scholars the opportunity to travel abroad for community service, travels to Ghana and Mozambique.

January 2011
JRF bestows the inaugural Chairman’s Award. The award recognizes outstanding leaders in the sports industry.

April 1, 2013
The major motion picture “42” premieres. Rachel Robinson and JRF provided counsel during the filming of the movie.

October 17, 2014
Gregg A. Gonsalves (JRF ’89), is elected Chairman of JRF’s Board of Directors.

April 11-12, 2016
Ken Burn’s four-hour film “Jackie Robinson” premieres on PBS. JRF hosts an advance screening followed by a talkback with Ken Burns and Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

The Jackie Robinson Foundation breaks ground on the Jackie Robinson Museum.

Strada Education Network Announces $6.5 Million Gift to the Jackie Robinson Foundation to Support Expansion of the Foundation’s Scholarship Program and The Jackie Robinson Museum