Funding to Improve Youth Football Fields

Posted by on November 07, 2011

National Football League Grassroots Field Grant Program Offers Funding to Improve Youth Football Fields
Deadline: December 16, 2011

The NFL Youth Football Fund Grassroots Program, a partnership of the National Football League Youth Football Fund and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, provides financial and technical assistance to nonprofits working to improve the quality, safety, and accessibility of youth football fields in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.

In order to be eligible for a grant, projects must be sponsored by community-based nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations 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.

There are two levels of support:

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

Field Surface Grants: Matching grants of up to $200,000 are available to help finance the resurfacing of a community, middle school, or high school football field and the installation of synthetic sports turf. 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. Funds from the program must be used for capital expenditures only and may not be used to maintain field surfaces.

Visit the LISC Web site for the complete Request for Proposals, list of eligible target markets, and an FAQ.

http://www.lisc.org/section/ourwork/national/youth