NFL Foundation Grassroots Program

Posted by Local Initiatives Support Corporation on May 9, 2016

NFL Foundation Grassroots Program Accepting Applications for Capital Improvement Projects

The NFL Foundation Grassroots Program, a partnership of the National Football League Foundation and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), aims to provide nonprofit, neighborhood-based organizations with financial and technical assistance to improve the quality, safety, and accessibility of local football fields.

Grants of up to $250,000 will be provided for capital expenditures only and therefore must be used for capital improvement projects.

In order to be eligible, projects must be sponsored by a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) community-based organization or middle or high school. In addition, all organizations applying for funds must be located specifically and exclusively within an NFL Target Market, which include Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.

Strong preference will be given to proposals that (1) seek to upgrade existing facilities that are in poor condition or otherwise underutilized; (2) demonstrate active use of the fields; (3) attract matching funding that exceeds the minimum required match of 1:1; (4) involve local partnerships with nonprofit community partners (e.g., USA Football, parks and recreation departments, YMCA branches, etc.) in promoting youth sports safety and community programming on the fields; (5) provide for continuing maintenance and field safety; and (6) involve youth football programs that are currently registered and in line with USA Football Heads Up Football safety initiatives.

Applications should be submitted to: NFL Foundation Grassroots Program
Beverly Smith, Senior Program Director
Local Initiatives Support Corporation
501 Seventh Avenue- 7th Floor
New York, NY 10018

For a complete program description, eligibility requirements, and application instructions, see the Local Initiatives Support Corporation website.

DEADLINE: AUGUST 15, 2016

http://www.lisc.org/our-initiatives/health/sports-recreation/nfl-foundation-grassroots-program/