BREAKING NEWS: Atlanta Braves’ Austin Riley Will Invest His Entire Salary and Bonus of About $3.4 Million to Turn Three Houses into Homeless Youth Shelters in His Hometown

ATLANTA, GA – May 6, 2025

In a stunning and selfless gesture that’s sending shockwaves of admiration across Major League Baseball and beyond, Austin Riley, third baseman for the Atlanta Braves, has announced that he will be donating his entire 2025 salary and performance bonus — an estimated $3.4 million — to convert three properties in his Mississippi hometown into full-service shelters for homeless youth.

“Baseball has given me everything,” Riley said in a press conference earlier today. “Now it’s my turn to give everything I can to those who don’t have even the basics — like a roof over their heads.”

🏠 The Project: Safe Haven for the Forgotten

Riley, who hails from Hernando, Mississippi, has partnered with two regional non-profit organizations to purchase, renovate, and staff three homes across DeSoto County. Each home will be transformed into a shelter that offers food, education support, mental health care, career training, and most importantly, stability.

“These aren’t just shelters,” Riley emphasized. “They’re a second chance.”

The homes will be named after three values Riley said shaped him: Faith House, Grit House, and Grace House.

💬 Why He’s Doing It

The idea started when Riley returned home during the offseason and saw an increase in youth homelessness firsthand.

“It broke my heart,” he said. “Kids 15, 16, 17 — couch surfing, sleeping in cars, dropping out of school just to survive. I couldn’t ignore that.”

Instead of just making a donation, Riley decided to go all in.

🧾 How the Money Will Be Used

His full 2025 salary — plus bonus incentives for performance and playoff wins — will be directly allocated to:

• Property acquisition: 3 large homes in safe neighborhoods.

• Full renovations: Including safety upgrades, beds, study spaces, and kitchens.

• Hiring trained staff: Counselors, social workers, and education specialists.

• Long-term operating funds: To keep each house running for at least 5 years.

Riley has also committed to personally mentoring teens in the program, visiting the shelters during the offseason and creating internship opportunities through the Braves.

⚾ Teammates React

The Braves clubhouse was buzzing with support.

“He’s got the biggest heart in baseball,” said teammate Ronald Acuña Jr.
“We always talk about giving back. Austin just did it — all of it,” added Max Fried.

Manager Brian Snitker said Riley’s gesture reflects “what it truly means to be a leader — not just on the field, but in life.”

❤️ A City and State Inspired

Since the announcement, thousands of fans across Mississippi and Georgia have flooded Riley’s social media with messages of thanks and encouragement. Local businesses in Hernando have already pledged furniture, supplies, and meals to support the effort.

Governor Tate Reeves even issued a statement praising Riley’s act of “transformational generosity.”

“He’s not just giving money. He’s giving kids a future.”

🌟 Bigger Than Baseball

Riley emphasized that while his goal is to help youth now, he also wants to inspire other athletes and people in positions of influence to do the same.

“This isn’t about me,” he said. “If one kid walks into one of those houses and finds hope, this whole season will have been worth it — win or lose.”

🏁 Next Steps: Ribbon Cutting This Fall

Construction on the homes will begin immediately, with doors expected to open by October 2025. Riley says he hopes the first teen who walks through the door someday stands where he is — not just a baseball player, but someone with the power to give back.

“We’re building more than shelters,” he said. “We’re building futures.”