For many major league baseball players, partnering with a charitable organization is a common practice throughout their careers as professional athletes. But for the Brewers’ Christian Yelich, he takes it a step further, where supporting local nonprofits isn’t just part of the job but a foundational pillar of who he is as a player and a person.
Christian Yelich and his family started the Home Plate Charity Concert to build connections within the community and provide a meaningful way to give back to local nonprofits and Milwaukee organizations.
We talked with their team to learn more about how the idea for a ‘concert for good’ took shape and the impact its had on the Milwaukee community over the last four years.
How did the Yelich Home Plate Charity Concert get its start?
The Home Plate Charity Concert started with a simple idea: use music to bring people together, while raising funds for the city of Milwaukee. Christian and the Yelich family wanted to create an event that felt fun, accessible, and meaningful – something that celebrated Milwaukee while directly supporting organizations doing important work in the community.
What began as a passion project quickly grew into an annual event because of the incredible support from fans, partners, and the city itself.
The concert is now entering its fourth year, and each year has continued to grow in attendance, impact, and community involvement. What’s been most exciting is seeing how many people return year after year because they believe in both the event and the mission.
What is the mission behind the organization?
The mission is to support and uplift the Milwaukee community by raising funds and awareness for nonprofit organizations making a real difference locally. At its core, the Home Plate Charity Concert is about giving back to the city that has given so much to Christian and his family, while creating opportunities for the broader community to rally around meaningful causes.
What does it mean to bring this concert to Milwaukee?
It means everything. Milwaukee isn’t just where Christian plays — it’s home. This city has an incredibly strong sense of community, pride, and generosity, and the concert is our way of celebrating that. Every year, the goal is to create something that feels uniquely Milwaukee: welcoming, passionate, and deeply connected to the people and organizations that make this city special.
What can people expect when going to the Yelich Home Plate Charity Concert?
People can expect an unforgettable night of live music, great energy, and a strong sense of purpose. It’s more than just a concert — it’s a community event. Guests will experience top tier cuisine, incredible performances,a unique silent and live auction and the opportunity to be part of something that directly supports local nonprofits. Whether you’re there for the music, the cause, or both, it’s an experience that feels meaningful and fun.
Who does it benefit? How do you select the organizations that receive the profits?
The beneficiaries are nonprofit organizations serving the Milwaukee community. We’re intentional about selecting organizations that are deeply rooted locally and are creating measurable impact. We look for groups that are truly making a difference on the ground in Milwaukee and whose missions align with our community support.
Last year’s beneficiaries — Brewers Community Foundation, Visit Milwaukee, and the Live Like Lou Foundation — were selected because their missions reflect causes that are both deeply impactful in Milwaukee and personally meaningful to the Yelich family.
Each organization is doing powerful work, from supporting local youth and families, to uplifting the city as a whole, to standing beside those affected by ALS. Together, they represent the heart of what this concert is about: community, compassion, and real impact.
Anything else we should know about the Yelich Home Plate Charity Concert?
What makes this event special is the heart behind it. Every sponsor, every artist, every partner, and every attendee plays a role in making the impact possible.
It’s grown into something bigger than a concert — it’s become a platform to celebrate generosity, community, and the power of people coming together for good. And tickets are STILL AVAILABLE!
Has there been a particularly memorable moment from one of the concerts?
There have been so many, but what stands out most is seeing the room filled with people who genuinely care, all the fans, sponsors, artists, nonprofit leaders — all united for a shared purpose.
Moments like bringing beneficiaries on stage, hearing firsthand how the funds have impacted families, or seeing returning guests who make this event part of their annual tradition really stick with us and remind us why this matters.