NFL Foundation – LISC Grassroots Field Grant Program Awards More Than $4.5 Million to Expand Access to Community Football Fields Nationwide

3 Hours Ago (11/02/2026 11:47 AM EST)

Over $70 million in grants committed since 1998, creating or refurbishing nearly 500 neighborhood fields

NEW YORK – Nov. 2, 2026 – Community organizations, schools and parks in 26 cities and towns across the country will receive more than $4.5 million in grants from the National Football League (NFL) Foundation – Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Grassroots Field Grant Program to build or refurbish neighborhood football fields for youth and families.

For nearly 30 years, the NFL Foundation and LISC have partnered to help young people stay active and healthy by building and improving community football fields that provide safe, accessible places to play. Since the program’s inception, over $70 million has been distributed to community organizations and schools across the country, resulting in the construction or refurbishment of nearly 500 fields.

This year’s funding cycle will support new field development or enhancements in the following locations: Phoenix, AZ; Los Angeles, CA; Pajaro, CA; San Ysidro, CA; Buena Vista, CO; Bridgeport, CT; Washington, D.C.; Tallahassee, FL; Tucker, GA; Kansas City, KS; New Orleans, LA; Baltimore, MD; Murdock, MN; Kansas City, MO; Wiggins, MS; Buffalo, NY; Akron, OH; Niles, OH; Xenia, OH; Coal Center, PA; Perryopolis, PA; Philadelphia, PA; Greenville, SC; Everson, WA; Milwaukee, WI; and Romney, WV.

Among this year’s projects, the Denver Broncos and the Buena Vista School District will install a field at the district's athletic stadium, creating the rural community's first and only football field for local athletes. In Washington, D.C., the Washington Commanders and KIPP DC Public Schools will bring a new field to KIPP DC College Preparatory High School, expanding athletic programming and creating a shared resource for nearby schools and local sports leagues. And in Pajaro, CA, the San Francisco 49ers and the Pajaro Valley Unified School District will build a field at Pajaro Middle School, creating a hub for youth football, including local flag football leagues.

Other grant projects will help communities build new fields or significantly improve existing spaces with upgrades such as new irrigation systems, lights, bleachers, scoreboards, goal posts and turf.

“For nearly 30 years, the NFL Foundation and LISC have helped expand access to safe, high-quality places for young people to play, grow and connect,” said NFL vice president of philanthropy and executive director of the NFL Foundation Alexia Gallagher. “Through the Grassroots Field Grant Program, we are proud to support local leaders who are creating healthier communities and opening more pathways for youth to experience the benefits of football.”

LISC identifies local, nonprofit and community-based agencies interested in building or refurbishing football fields at schools and neighborhood parks. Through the program, local agencies receive the necessary financing and technical assistance to improve the quality and safety of fields in their communities. The agencies oversee the construction, maintenance and programming for each field. Grassroots grants are awarded as each project reaches established funding milestones.

“Opportunity takes many forms, and sometimes it starts with something as simple as having a safe place to play,” said Michael Pugh, president and CEO of LISC. “Through our longstanding partnership with the NFL Foundation, communities across the country are creating spaces where young people can stay active, families can gather, and neighborhoods can grow stronger. We are proud to support these local leaders and organizations whose work is helping build healthier, more connected communities for years to come.”

“LISC helps build healthy, resilient communities where people have the opportunity and choice to live, work, do business, visit, and raise their families,” said Beverly Smith, vice president of LISC Sports & Youth Development. “Quality recreational spaces—and the experiences they create—are essential to building stronger communities. The NFL Foundation has been a committed partner in helping make those opportunities possible.”

The 2026 Grassroots funding cycle has launched, with a proposal submission deadline of January 15, 2027. Additional details can be found here.

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About the NFL Foundation

The National Football League Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those touched by the game of football – from players at all levels to communities across the country. The NFL Foundation and its members, the 32 NFL clubs, support the health, safety and wellness of athletes, youth football, and the communities that support our game. Over the past half-century, the NFL Foundation has emerged as one of the leading philanthropic entities in America, contributing to NFL team communities, national and international disaster relief efforts, and societal issues. For more information on the NFL Foundation, visit: www.NFLFoundation.org.

About LISC

LISC is one of the country’s largest community development organizations, driving affordable housing and forging vibrant, resilient communities across America. Through innovative, community-centric programs, LISC and its 34 local offices work with residents and partners across the country to close gaps in health, wealth, and opportunity so that people and places can thrive. Since its founding in 1979, LISC has invested $38 billion to create more than 552,000 affordable homes and apartments, develop 88 million square feet of retail, community, and educational space, and help tens of thousands of people find employment and improve their finances.

Media Contacts:

Ian Martin, Ian.Martin@nfl.com

Beverly Smith, LISC, bsmith@lisc.org