The first Chicago team in 31 years to reach the Little League World Series received widespread support during its run. When Jackie Robinson West returned home, the players enjoyed a parade not unlike the ones for pro teams.
There also was a financial windfall.
Since the team's return to the Far South Side, its parent league has been showered with more than $200,000 in major contributions. The total is more than the league's combined three previous years of income, $178,462, according to recent federal tax returns. The sum does not include individual donations or any income made on its website.
The White Sox gave $20,000 plus equipment and school supplies. Bears quarterback Jay Cutler's charity donated $15,000. And Dick's Sporting Goods cut a six-figure check from proceeds of selling team T-shirts, the largest in the league's four-decade history.
On Wednesday, the team's U.S. title was stripped because of improper residency findings. It has been placed on probation and suspended from tournament play until its top directors are replaced and the league complies with Little League rules.
Jackie Robinson West is a federally exempt registered charity with the IRS, which means its donations are tax-deductible and its returns public. But a precise accounting is not available because the most recent tax return, which reported $64,266 in contributions in 2013, is time-stamped July 29, 2014.
Robert Evans, a philanthropy consultant with Evans Consulting Group, said the Chicago league should send letters to donors thanking them for their support to build confidence and also urged meetings in person.
"In almost all fundraising, we talk about personal relationships as being the factor that makes donors continue," Evans said. "These messes happen. They're unusual. Fortunately or unfortunately, this isn't the first time that we've run into things like this."
Still, any donations are unlikely to be returned unless the league does so voluntarily, charity experts said Wednesday.
"When you make a donation to a charity, that's a completed gift. You don't have any rights to manage the charity or do anything else," said Jack Siegel, a Chicago lawyer who monitors charities and sits on the BBB Wise Giving Alliance board. "You're probably not going to get your money back, but never say 'never.'"
Siegel said donors typically have recourse recovering donations if there are allegations of fraud or if a charitable mission had gone unfulfilled. There have been no fraud allegations.
For Jackie Robinson West, the money came shortly after the youths captured the regional title. Five Major League Baseball players contributed a total of $20,000 to ensure that all the players' parents could watch them compete in Williamsport, Pa.. Blackhawks goalie Corey Crawford helped out as well.
By the time they returned home - they fell short against South Korea in the world championship game - the support was swelling.
In September, the Sox held a ceremony at U.S. Cellular Field. Spokesman Scott Reifert said Wednesday that the team's money was to support youth baseball but that team officials will re-evaluate plans to unveil a plaque at the Cell in 2015 to commemorate the team's U.S. title.
"We remain committed to that vision of growing baseball and helping kids in underserved neighborhoods, so we have no plans to ask for the return of the funds," Reifert said.
The Cubs donated $10,000 after auctioning off yellow camouflage-style jerseys - with "West" sketched on the front - that players wore at batting practice in September. A team spokesman reached Wednesday said the Cubs would not seek for the money to be returned.
Dick's gave $164,481.17 in September from proceeds of selling 12,000 yellow team T-shirts. At the time, Jackie Robinson West director Bill Haley said the money would go toward the construction of baseball facilities and fields. Haley is slated to be replaced.
Dick's did not respond to requests for comment Wednesday.
Daniel Borochoff, president of Chicago-based nonprofit watchdog CharityWatch, said he wouldn't be surprised if donations rise.
"I think people would be sympathetic to the kids and want to help out," Borochoff said. "If anything, people would be inspired to want to do more."