NFL Foundation Grassroots program – May 31

Posted by Local Initiatives Support Coalition on April 5, 2022

LISC Sports & Recreation Department invites proposals for NFL Foundation Grassroots program

The LISC Sports & Recreation Department has issued a request for proposals for its NFL Foundation Grassroots Program, which aims to provide nonprofit, neighborhood-based organizations with financial and technical assistance to improve local football fields’ quality, safety, and accessibility. The NFL Foundation Grassroots Program provides grants of up to $250,000 for capital improvement projects. There are two levels of funding available: general field support (e.g., irrigation, bleachers, lights, etc.); and field surface grants.

General Field Support: Applicants may submit requests of up to $50,000 for capital projects not associated with the actual field surface. This support includes the installation/refurbishment of bleachers, concession stands, lights, irrigation systems, etc.

Field Surface Grants: Matching grants of up to $250,000 are available to help finance the resurfacing of a community, middle school, or high school football field. Matching grants of up to $250,000 will be available to applicants seeking to install new synthetic sports turf surfaces. A smaller number of matching grants of up to $100,000 will be available to help finance the resurfacing of a community, middle school, or high school football field utilizing natural grass/sod surfaces. If applicants choose to utilize natural grass/sod surfaces as opposed to synthetic sports surfaces, a minimum five-year maintenance plan and corresponding financial budget must be provided in order to demonstrate that the applying organization will maintain the field despite projected wear and tear and potential overuse by youth sports participants. Funds from the program may not be used to maintain field surfaces, as all grant funds must be used for capital expenditures.

Strong preference will be given to those proposals that seek to upgrade existing facilities that are in poor condition or otherwise underutilized; demonstrate active use of the fields; attract matching funding that exceeds the minimum required match of 1:1; involve local partnerships with nonprofit community partners (e.g., USA Football, Parks and Recreation Departments, YMCA branches, etc.) to promote youth sports safety and community programming on the fields; provide for continuing maintenance and field safety; and involve youth football programs that are currently registered and compliant with USA Football’s Football Development Model education program.

Projects must be sponsored by nonprofit community-based organizations registered as tax-exempt as defined by section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or middle or high schools. In addition, all organizations applying for funds must be located specifically and exclusively within NFL target markets and serve low to moderate-income areas within those markets.

Proposals are due by May 31, 2022; applicants should email submissions to SportsAndRec@lisc.org.

For complete program guidelines and application instructions, see the LISC website.

Deadline: May 31, 2022