FAQ

  1. How do I apply for a YFF Grant?
  2. Do I qualify for a YFF Grant opportunity?
  3. What is NFL Charities?
  4. I received an NFL Player Matching Grant - How do I find the Final Evaluation Report?
  5. My non-profit/school is located in an NFL market - Are we eligible for a NFL Grassroots Field Grant?
  6. I am a former NFL player. What YFF Grants do I qualify for?
  7. I am a current NFL player. What Grants do I qualify for?
  8. What is USA Football?
  9. How do I get an Equipment Grant?
  10. What Grants support field refurbishment?
  11. Do I qualify for a Grassroots Field Grant?
1: How do I apply for a YFF Grant?

The NFL Youth Football Fund (YFF) is pleased to provide NFL teams, players and coaches, and those applying on behalf of NFL players and coaches, with a paperless, streamlined and user-friendly online grant application process. 

The YFF Grant Application Management System (GAMS) process saves time for Grant applicants with an interface that is easy to use and requires minimal technical know-how.

Qualified applicants may apply for YFF Grant opportunities by logging onto www.nflyff.org and accessing grant applications through GAMS.

All YFF Grant Applications - with the exception of the NFL Grassroots Grant Program - are to be completed online using GAMS. Hard copies of the application or supporting documents received by mail or e-mail cannot be processed.

Please note that the YFF adheres to strict eligibility criteria so please take the time to thoroughly review the Grant eligibility requirements.

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2: Do I qualify for a YFF Grant opportunity?

Each NFL Youth Football Fund (YFF) Grant program has specific eligibility requirements that must be met by the applicant. A listing of all YFF program requirements is available by selecting the Grant Programs tab from the homepage.

Please note: If you do not qualify for a YFF Grant opportunity, log onto www.usafootball.com for information on how to apply for a USA Football Equipment Grant to support your youth or high school football program.

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3: What is NFL Charities?

Formed in 1973, NFL Charities is a non-profit organization that enables the league to contribute collectively on behalf of its 32 member clubs to charitable causes on a national level.  This foundation, which has approved more than $120 million in grants to more than 600 different organiztions, supports sports-related medical research, youth health programs and the charitable work of its teams and current and retired NFL players. 

NFL Charities' primary funding categories include:

  • Sports-related medical research and education grants
  • Player foundation grants in support of the philanthropic work of current and former NFL players
  • Financial assistance to former NFL players in need
  • Youth health and fitness initiatives, including educational programs with national partners
  • Supplementing the charitable activities of the 32 NFL clubs

For more information, log onto www.nflcharities.org

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4: I received an NFL Player Matching Grant - How do I find the Final Evaluation Report?

The NFL player who made a financial contribution to your youth or high school football program submitted his NFL Player Matching Grant application online using the YFF’s Grant Application Management System (GAMS). Every Youth/High School football program receiving YFF Grant funds MUST log into the GAMS system and complete the online Final Evaluation Report detailing how YFF Grant funds were spent. You are the primary contact listed by the NFL player and will be responsible for completing the Final Evaluation no later than 6 months after receiving the Grant Agreement and Check. Please follow the following step-by-step instructions to proceed directly to your specific youth or high school football program Final Evaluation:

1. Log onto www.nflyff.org and proceed to the “Log-In” page.
2. Select “Are you a NFL YFF Player Matching Grant Recipient?” check box
3. Enter your email address
4. Enter your 4 digit GAMS ID # (listed at the top of your YFF Grant Agreement)
5. Proceed to Step 4 of the GAMS Application Progression to access the “Final Evaluation Report”

Remember: Retain copies of all major receipts/invoices that indicate how Grant funds were spent. The G.A.M.S system requires that you submit copies of those receipts to the YFF via fax or upload when completing the Final Evaluation Report.

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5: My non-profit/school is located in an NFL market - Are we eligible for a NFL Grassroots Field Grant?

Not all areas of NFL markets are considered eligible for the NFL Grassroots Field Grant Program.  Specific target markets for this program are identified by ensuring that the locations demonstrate a high percentage of low-income residents and that LISC has the necessary staff and resources on the ground to service those areas. 

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6: I am a former NFL player. What YFF Grants do I qualify for?

The NFL Youth Football Fund (YFF) strives to provide former NFL players with opportunities to give back to their local communities through YFF program support grants so that together, we can help keep young football players on the enlightening path of organized football.

Whether former players choose to host a free, non-contact football camp for kids, donate funds to youth and high school football programs, or support the youth or high school football program that they currently coach, the YFF helps to support former NFL players' charitable endeavors through football.


YFF Grant Programs available exclusively to former NFL Players include:

  • NFL PLAYER YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMP GRANT PROGRAM 

Grants of up to $4,000 are awarded to free youth football camps and clinics organized by former NFL players.

  • NFL PLAYER MATCHING YOUTH & HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GRANT PROGRAM

Former NFL players who make financial contributions to youth and/or high school football programs may apply for YFF matching grants of up to $5,000 for each program.

  • NFL PLAYER - COACH YOUTH/HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GRANT PROGRAM
Former NFL players who currently serve as registered head or assistant youth or high school football coaches may apply to the YFF for grants ranging from $2,500-$10,000 to help support their football teams.

Please note: Only former NFL players who are vested under the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Retirement Plan may apply for NFL YFF Grant opportunities.

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7: I am a current NFL player. What Grants do I qualify for?

The NFL Youth Football Fund (YFF) strives to provide current NFL players with opportunities to give back to their local communities through YFF program support and recognition grants so that together, we can help keep young football players on the enlightening path of organized football.

The YFF offers a wide range of support for current players who choose to host free, non-contact football camps for kids, donate funds to youth and high school football programs, or nominate their most influential high school football coach for the NFL High School Football Coach of the Year Award.

YFF Grant Programs available exclusively to current NFL Players include:

  • NFL PLAYER YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMP GRANT PROGRAM

Grants of up to $4,000 are awarded to free youth football camps and clinics organized by current NFL players.

  • NFL PLAYER MATCHING YOUTH & HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL GRANT PROGRAM

Current NFL players who make financial contributions to youth and/or high school football programs may apply for YFF matching grants of up to $5,000 for each program.

  • NFL HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL COACH OF THE YEAR

Current NFL players may honor their former high school football coach who inspired their athletic and personal development by nominating him for the NFL High School Football Coach of the Year award.

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8: What is USA Football?

USA Football is a non-profit organization endowed by the NFL and NFL Players Association through the Youth Football Fund to lead the development and growth of youth, high school and international football. As the sport's national governing body and Official Youth Football Development Partner of the NFL, its 32 teams and the NFLPA, USA Football provides education for coaches and game officials, skill development for players, program resources for youth football league commissioners and health and safety information for youth and high school football constituents.

USA Football hosts more than 100 football training events annually and has trained tens of thousands of youth football coaches nationwide through full-day coaching schools and its online Certified Coaching Education Program (CCEP).  USA Football also was commissioned by the National Federation of State High School Associations to help create an online varsity football coaching education course available to high school football coaches and state athletic associations across the country.

USA Football manages U.S. national teams within the sport for international competitions and provides more than $1 million annually in equipment grants and youth league volunteer background check subsidies. Aside from its national team program, USA Football does not operate leagues or teams.  Carl Peterson, a successfull football scout coach and NFL team executive for more than 40 years, serves as Chairman of USA Football.

For more information, log onto www.usafootball.com 

   

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9: How do I get an Equipment Grant?

As the sport's national governing body and Official Youth Football Development Partner of the NFL, its 32 teams and the NFL Players Association, USA Football is a non-profit organization endowed by the NFL Youth Football Fund to lead the development and growth of youth, high school and international football.

In addition to providing much-needed coaching, league enhancement, officiating and health and safety resources to youth and high school football organizations and constituents, USA Football also provides youth leagues and elementary, middle and high school programs from across the country with more than $1 million annually in equipment grants based on merit and need.  501(c)(3) non-profit youth football organizations and school-sponsored football programs may apply to USA Football for the following equipment grant offerings:

  • Youth Football Equipment Grant (retail value approx. $1,000)
  • High School Equipment Grant (retail value approx. $1,500)

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10: What Grants support field refurbishment?

The NFL Grassroots Field Grant Program provides non-profit, neighborhood-based organizations with financial and technical assistance to improve the quality, safety, and accessibility of local football fields. The program's partnership includes the NFL Youth Football Fund (YFF), which provides funding for the program, and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), which provides technical assistance and manages the initiative.

The NFL Grassroots Program provides matching grants of up to $200,000 for capital improvement projects. In order to be eligible for an NFL Grassroots grant, projects must be sponsored by community-based, 501 (c)(3) non-profit organizations or middle or high schools. All organizations applying for matching funds must be located specifically and exclusively within NFL Target Markets, listed in the 2011 NFL Grassroots Grant Application and serve low to moderate income areas within those markets.

Strong preference will be given to those 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 non-profit community partners (e.g. Parks and Recreational Departments, YMCA branches) to promote youth and community programming on the fields
  5. Provide for continuing maintenance and field safety.

As noted above, applicants may request a maximum of $200,000 from the NFL Grassroots Program to be used for capital improvements. Please see “Availability of Funding” for stipulations involved with a $200,000 maximum grant request.

2011 NFL Grassroots funding proposals will be accepted from September 19, 2011 until December 16, 2011.  

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11: Do I qualify for a Grassroots Field Grant?

In order to be eligible for the NFL Grassroots Program, organizations applying for grant funds must meet all of the criteria listed below:

  1. Be a community-based organization, middle school or high school serving a neighborhood consisting primarily of low to moderate-income families and individuals (schools must demonstrate the ability of the community to also utilize the field);
  2. Have at least one-full time staff person (all-volunteer organizations will not be considered);
  3. Be in existence for at least three years;
  4. Have a proven track record in real estate development and/or parks programming;
  5. Have 501(c)(3) tax exempt status/school status; and
  6. Be located in an NFL Target Market

Selection Criteria

Once deemed eligible for funding consideration, organizations and their projects will be selected for funding based upon the following criteria:

  1. Feasibility of the proposed project. The project budget must be based upon realistic costs, preferably written contractor’s estimates.

  2. Project readiness. Sources of funding for the entire budget should be identified. Plans for field renovation should take into account the schedule of recreation activities over the course of the year. A project timeline should be specified in the proposal.

  3. Impact upon neighborhood and support from the community. Only proposals that locate projects in low to moderate-income communities will be considered. The proposal should clearly state how the field improvements would benefit the community. It also must clearly detail how many youth and adults make use of the field for football and for other activities. Moreover, the proposal must also include a projected increase in the number of people that will use the facility as a result of the NFL Grassroots Program improvements. Support letters from other neighborhood and partner organizations must be included.

  4. Match funding. The NFL Grassroots Program requires a minimum local match of one dollar for every NFL Grassroots Program dollar (1:1). For example, if the proposal requests $200,000 from the NFL Grassroots Program, it must demonstrate sources and commitments for $200,000 in local funds. Match funding at a higher ratio will strengthen the proposal.

  5. Security of future field maintenance and safety. Proposals must have written commitments of maintenance funding for a minimum of five years and a detailed five-year maintenance plan in order to demonstrate that the applicant will maintain the field despite projected wear and tear and potential overuse by youth sports participants.

  6. Capacity of organization and its partners to carry out project. The applicant organization must demonstrate, through its current management team and previous experience, the ability to manage a project of this size and nature.

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