NFL Youth Football Fund

About the Program

The NFL Player Matching Youth and High School Football Grant Program allows current and former NFL players who make financial contributions to approved youth and/or high school football programs to receive matching grants of up to $5,000 for those respective programs.

Application Opens: May 15, 2012

Application Closes: December 31, 2012

Who Can Apply

Current & Former NFL players

• Only former NFL players vested under the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Retirement Plan may apply for NFL Player Matching Grants.

NFL Player Matching Youth & High School Football Grants will not be awarded to the same youth and/or high school football program two years in a row.

New Opportunity For 2012 Grant Applicants

2012 NFL Player Matching Youth/High School Football Grant awards may now be used to provide a stipend for a certified athletic trainer, whose defined role is to assist in the prevention and treatment of injuries during play, to be present on the field during football practices and games.

Detailed Requirements

The following provides an overview of this grant initiative as well as information that eligible applicants will need to provide in order to successfully apply for a grant award. We suggest you read this thoroughly before proceeding with an application.

• Only current or former NFL players may apply
• NFL Players should send their original donations directly to the approved youth and/or high school football program of their choice.
• All grant proposals must include verification of the player's personal financial contribution (e.g., copy of check).
• Grants only will be made payable to high school football programs and non-profit youth football organizations - not to individuals.
• Grant awards must be earmarked for non-salary/non-personnel related costs (e.g. purchase of new football helmets and equipment, helmet and equipment reconditioning, football field refurbishments, etc.). New this year, the NFL Foundation is allowing Player Matching Grant funds to be used to provide a stipend for a certified athletic trainer whose defined role is to assist in the prevention and treatment of injuries during play, and to be present on the field during football practices and games.
• Recipient organizations (e.g., high school and/or youth football organization) are required to report back to the NFL Foundation on the use of grant funds.

Status

This grant is open, apply now