For the last few seasons, pitcher Max Scherzer has been raising money for charity by asking for donations from fans and collectors who send items to be autographed. Now, he’s part of the development of a new memorabilia company and website that could bring more players on board.
The two-time Cy Young Award winner has joined Washington Nationals teammates Stephen Strasburg, Ryan Zimmerman and Anthony Rendon to headline the first wave of signers to participate on the platform called FanSigner.
FanSigner provides fans with personalized memorabilia while allowing athletes to promote and allocate proceeds to the charitable causes of their choosing. Collectors and fans can request a custom inscription on an item purchased through the site or by mailing in their own item for an autograph. The company intends to share video recordings and authentication guarantees with each item.
Scherzer, for instance, will sign for the Humane Society.
Prices for mail-in items start at $75. Inscriptions are an extra $25. Items supplied by FanSigner start at $75. 
The majority of the proceeds from the sale of each piece of memorabilia is donated to the charity or foundation of the athletes choosing. FanSigner take a flat fee – 10% – and handles packaging, shipping, and logistics of getting the items signed.
“Everyone benefits from FanSigner,” said Scherzer. “The players get a way to actively promote a cause that matters to them. Fans get access to personalized memorabilia without flying across the country. Charities get a new source of funding from the proceeds of each item.”
Initially, the service will feature baseball players and athletes, but FanSigner has an option to request not only athletes but other celebrities they’d like to see become part of the program.
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