Youth Football Access & Support

UPDATED: Through NFL Foundation grant programs and partnerships, millions of youngsters have been given opportunities to learn the game of football, get physically fit, and stay involved in productive in-school and after-school activities with adult mentors. The programs supported by the NFL Foundation also have provided youth football participants with safe and accessible places to play, skill development, mentorship and character education. Such support allows the NFL Foundation to prioritize the health, safety and wellness of youngsters while fostering positive youth football experiences and social impact.

USA FOOTBALL

The NFL Foundation has been a strong supporter of USA Football since its formation as the sport’s national governing body. As a Recognized Sports Organization of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee and the sole U.S. member of the International Federation of American Football, USA Football selects, trains and leads the U.S. National Teams in tackle and flag football disciplines, while delivering world-class football development resources, sport standards and competitive opportunities to empower athletes at every level. It partners with medical, child development, long-term athlete development and football subject matter experts to establish best practices, sets standards for coaching, player development and athlete safety, and supports positive football experiences for youth, high school and other amateur players. The organization was endowed in 2002 by the NFL and the NFL Players Association. NFL Foundation funding helps USA Football accomplish its mission and support its many programs including:

• USA Football’s Football Development Model utilizes a comprehensive and progressive methodology for youth football. The model emphasizes holistic athlete development, both on and off the field, tailored to each participant’s stage of growth. By minimizing contact during early phases of athletic progression, this approach enables coaches to introduce age-appropriate skills effectively. It also facilitates an incremental learning process that accommodates individual needs and preferences, providing young athletes with increased opportunities to engage in their preferred type of football and refine game-specific abilities.
• The USA Football Coach Certification program helps coaches meet high standards and be the best leaders for their athletes. Certified coaches pledge to make players their top priority and are given access to innovative videos, resources, and tools for athlete safety, game planning, and communication. The certification covers head, heart and heat lessons and Emergency Action Planning (EAP) as well as access to Football Development Model age-based videos, resources guides and more to help coaches deliver a best-in-class athlete experience.

FIELD REFURBISHMENT GRANTS 

The NFL Foundation administers two distinct grant programs to help improve youth athletic fields in NFL markets:

• The NFL Foundation Grassroots Field Grant Program awards up to $250,000 in matching grants to nonprofit groups and schools in underserved communities of NFL markets, helping to fund upgrades such as turf surfaces, irrigation, lighting, bleachers, scoreboards, fencing, and goalposts. For more than 25 years, the NFL Foundation has partnered with Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) and NFL clubs on this initiative, awarding nearly $65 million in grants to support 437 field projects across the country and helping to facilitate youth health and fitness through the improvement of safe and accessible places to play.
• The NFL Club Matching Youth/High School Football Field Grant Program allows NFL club foundations to apply for and receive up to $200,000 in matching NFL Foundation grants for building or upgrading youth and high school football fields at club facilities or in club market communities, improving facilities and strengthening ties with local programs.