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National Football League Foundation

Annual Giving
$96.4M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.3M
Decision Time
2mo

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NFL Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $96,390,585 (2023)
  • Total Grants Awarded: 553 grants
  • Decision Time: Approximately 6 weeks for processing after approval
  • Grant Range: $5,000 - $250,000
  • Geographic Focus: National (United States), with preference for NFL Target Markets
  • Total Historical Impact: Over $148 million granted since 1973; surpassed $1 billion in total philanthropic donations in 2024

Contact Details

Website: www.nflfoundation.org
Phone: (212) 450-2000
Address: 345 Park Ave, New York, NY 10154-0004
Grant Application System: Online through Grant Application Management System (GAMS) - register at nflfoundation.org

Overview

The National Football League Foundation (EIN: 23-7315236) was founded in 1972 and has evolved into one of sports philanthropy's most significant entities. With annual giving exceeding $96 million and a milestone achievement of surpassing $1 billion in total philanthropic donations throughout its 50+ year history, the Foundation focuses on supporting the health, safety, and wellness of athletes, youth football, and communities that support the game. The Foundation operates multiple grant programmes ranging from field improvement grants up to $250,000 to player matching grants of $5,000. Since 1973, the Foundation has granted over $148 million to more than 1,400 organisations, with nearly $65 million specifically dedicated to developing and improving more than 435 football fields nationwide. Recent strategic initiatives include the Inspire Change programme, which has distributed over $460 million for social justice causes since its launch, and expanded partnerships with organisations like Nike and LISC to maximise community impact.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Grassroots Programme: $50,000 - $250,000
Partnership with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) providing grants for capital improvements to football fields. General field support grants up to $50,000; matching grants up to $250,000 for field resurfacing. Requires 1:1 minimum match. Applications typically due in March. Strong preference for projects that exceed minimum match ratio.

Player Matching Grants: Up to $5,000
Supports nonprofit organisations or schools on behalf of current NFL players or NFL Legends. Three categories: Social Justice, Community Support, and Youth/High School Football. Players/Legends may apply for up to two grants per calendar year to different organisations. Requires 1:1 match. Applications typically due in September.

Player Foundation Grant
Recognises and supports charitable work of current and former NFL players' nonprofit organisations. Specific amounts vary.

CPR Education Grant: Up to $15,000
Available to NFL club foundations to promote CPR education and AED access for high school sports. Minimum $5,000 must support CPR education/training; minimum $5,000 must support AED purchase; remaining $5,000 allocated at club discretion. Applications typically due in November.

Inspire Change Initiative: Varies
Grants supporting four pillars: education, economic advancement, police-community relations, and criminal justice reform. Over $460 million awarded since programme launch. Applications reviewed annually by Player-Owner Social Justice Working Group. Applications open annually.

NFL Club Community Grants: Up to $10,000 - $45,000
Grants provided to each of 32 NFL teams for league national initiatives, including up to $10,000 per team for digital divide and mental health programmes, and up to $45,000 per club through Nike partnership for youth/high school spaces.

Youth Football Camp Grants: Approximately $1,000,000 total annually
Distributed among 400+ NFL players, legends, and coaches to host free youth football camps, with focus on underserved communities.

Priority Areas

  • Youth health, safety, and wellness
  • Football field development and improvement in low-to-moderate income communities
  • Youth football programmes, particularly those registered with USA Football Heads Up Football safety initiatives
  • Social justice (education, economic advancement, police-community relations, criminal justice reform)
  • Digital divide and mental health barriers
  • CPR education and cardiac safety for student-athletes
  • Community-based organisations serving neighbourhoods of primarily low and moderate-income families

What They Don't Fund

  • Universities and college campuses (not eligible for Grassroots Programme)
  • All-volunteer organisations with no full-time staff (Grassroots Programme)
  • Organisations in existence less than three years (Grassroots Programme)
  • Projects outside NFL Target Markets (Grassroots Programme)
  • Projects not located in low and moderate-income communities (Grassroots Programme)
  • Organisations without 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status or school status
  • PO Box addresses for cheque delivery

Governance and Leadership

The NFL Foundation operates under a Board of Directors. Limited specific leadership information is publicly available, though G. Michael Stevens previously served as Senior Vice President of the NFL Foundation. The Foundation's grant-making decisions, particularly for the Inspire Change initiative, are made by a 10-member Player-Owner Social Justice Working Group composed of NFL players, Legends, and team owners.

The Foundation emphasises collaborative decision-making, particularly through player involvement. As evidenced by the Inspire Change programme structure, "Every year, the Social Justice Working Group reviews submissions and requests from players and other members of the NFL community and votes on the organisations that best fit the Inspire Change mission."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

All applications are submitted through the NFL Foundation's Grant Application Management System (GAMS). To apply:

  1. Register for an account at nflfoundation.org
  2. Complete the online application through GAMS
  3. Submit all required documentation electronically (the Foundation no longer accepts faxed documents)
  4. Accepted file formats: Most formats up to 15 MB including Microsoft Office documents, PDFs, and images
  5. Electronically sign Grant Agreement Terms and Conditions if awarded

Important Note: Current and former NFL players may have third-party representatives (club personnel, foundation directors, agents/management companies, school personnel) apply on their behalf with player approval.

Application Deadlines by Programme

  • Grassroots Programme: Applications typically due in March
  • Player Matching Grants: Applications typically due in September
  • CPR Education Grant: Applications typically due in November
  • Inspire Change: Applications open annually with review by Social Justice Working Group

Decision Timeline

  • Grassroots Programme: December to June grantmaking cycle. LISC reviews proposals, requests additional information, conducts site visits to finalists, then NFL Foundation makes final funding decisions.
  • Processing Time: Up to 30 business days after approval for grant processing
  • Notification: Check application status through GAMS dashboard
  • Specific decision timelines vary by programme and are not uniformly published

Success Rates

Specific success rates are not publicly disclosed. The Foundation awarded 553 grants. The Foundation awarded grants to 400+ players, legends, and coaches for youth football camps, and selected 16 organisations (from competitive pool) for Grassroots field grants totalling over $3 million.

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applicants may reapply in subsequent cycles. However, organisations that receive grants must complete required Grant Reports to remain eligible for future NFL Foundation grants. Failure to complete grant reporting disqualifies the organisation from future applications.

Application Success Factors

For Grassroots Programme

Strong Preference Given To:

  • Proposals seeking to upgrade existing facilities in poor condition (rather than new construction)
  • Applications demonstrating active use of fields
  • Projects attracting matching funding exceeding the minimum 1:1 match requirement
  • Proposals involving local partnerships with nonprofit community partners
  • Plans providing for continuing maintenance and field safety
  • Projects involving youth football programmes registered with USA Football Heads Up Football safety initiatives

Critical Success Requirements:

  • Organisational Capacity: "The applicant organisation must demonstrate, through its current management team and previous experience, the ability to manage a project of this size and nature."
  • Maintenance Commitment: Must include written commitments of maintenance funding for minimum five years and detailed five-year maintenance plan
  • Match Funding: Applications requesting $250,000 must demonstrate sources and commitments for at least $250,000 in local matching funds. Higher match ratios strengthen proposals significantly.
  • Community Need: Clear demonstration that project serves low and moderate-income communities

For Player Matching Grants

  • Must provide 1:1 match in current calendar year
  • For Youth/High School Football category: Former players must serve as head coaches or full-time assistants (athletic directors and league commissioners reviewed case-by-case)
  • Players must be vested
  • Third-party applications must have player approval

For CPR Education Grants

  • Partner with recommended national organisations (American Heart Association, American Red Cross) or local hospital/healthcare partners
  • Allocate minimum $5,000 to CPR education/training and minimum $5,000 to AED purchase
  • Demonstrate plan to advance training and education in local market

General Application Best Practices

  • Accurate Information: Ensure address is correct and not a PO Box
  • Complete Documentation: Submit all required materials electronically through GAMS
  • Grant Reporting: Complete all grant reports from previous awards to maintain eligibility
  • Community Focus: Emphasise how project serves underserved or low-to-moderate income communities
  • Partnership: Highlight partnerships with other community organisations and demonstrate collaborative approach
  • Sustainability: Show long-term planning and commitment beyond the grant period

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Match matters significantly: For Grassroots grants, exceeding the 1:1 minimum match requirement is explicitly noted as strengthening proposals. Demonstrate committed, secured matching funds.
  • Organisational capacity is scrutinised: Must prove through track record that your team can manage capital projects. Organisations must have been in existence for at least three years with at least one full-time staff member.
  • Maintenance planning is mandatory: Five-year maintenance commitment with detailed plan required for field grants. Show sustainability beyond construction.
  • NFL ecosystem connections help: Player Matching Grants and many programmes connect through NFL players, legends, coaches, and clubs. Building relationships in NFL markets can facilitate applications.
  • Focus on underserved communities: Strong preference throughout programmes for projects serving low and moderate-income communities. Document community need and impact clearly.
  • Partner strategically: Applications involving partnerships with recognised organisations (USA Football, American Heart Association, local nonprofits) receive preference.
  • Complete grant reporting is non-negotiable: Failure to complete reports from previous grants disqualifies organisations from future funding. Treat reporting as seriously as initial application.

References

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