New York Jets Foundation Inc
The New York Jets Foundation Inc is a corporate-sponsored private foundation established in 1969 and based in New York City. The foundation operates as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to community investment and youth development, with a particular emphasis on sports and education initiatives in underserved communities across the tri-state area.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$19.0M
+29.2% YoY
Annual Giving
$939K
-20.0% YoY
Grant Count
84
-3.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$11K
-17.1% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, New York Jets Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $744K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The New York Jets Foundation takes a year-round commitment to community investment. Programs funded by the foundation aim to positively influence the future for young men and women in the tri-state area by promoting fitness and supporting youth football, particularly in disadvantaged communities.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Youth football development and sports programming
- Fitness and physical activity promotion (including the Jets Play 60 initiative)
- Education and youth development opportunities
- Community health and wellness
- Support for established charitable organizations and causes sponsored by the NFL
- Lupus research and related health initiatives
The foundation supports programs ranging from launching football teams at urban high schools to providing new and reconditioned football helmets to underserved youth populations.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$250 to $164,804
Average Grant
amount: Varies by recipient
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation's primary geographic focus is the tri-state area (New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut), though recent grants indicate funding activity extending to other states including Maryland and beyond.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of December 2024:
- Total Assets: $18,998,340
- Total Revenue: $5,250,457
- Total Expenses: $3,275,984
- Net Income: $1,974,473
- Total Liabilities: $184,000
Tax Status: Tax-exempt since March 1971 (EIN: 23-7108291)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $18,998,340 | $14,699,770 | $12,241,030 |
| Revenue | $5,250,457 | $3,169,168 | $3,004,058 |
| Expenses | $3,275,984 | $2,733,960 | $2,807,369 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $981,129 | $1,342,118 | $1,306,848 |
| Net Investment Income | $299,607 | $241,670 | $143,996 |
| Distributable Amount | $743,640 | $586,066 | $538,596 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
209 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Foundation for Morristown ($50,000), Boomer Esiason Foundation ($30,000), Brooklyn Community Services ($25,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| BILLY DENNY NFF PERTH AMBOY, NJ | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| BROOKLYN COMMUNITY SERVICES BROOKLYN, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $25,000 |
| BROOKLYN COMMUNITY SERVICES BROOKLYN, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $3,716 |
| OUTREACH INC UNION, LA | GENERAL SUPPORT | $23,330 |
| WILLIAM L DICKINSON HIGH SCHOOL JERSEY CITY, NJ | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| NATIONAL FOOTBALL FOUNDATION SMITHTOWN, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,500 |
| JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP BOARD LAKE HOPATCONG, NJ | GENERAL SUPPORT | $4,000 |
| NEW MILFORD BOARD OF EDUCATION NEW MILFORD, NJ | GENERAL SUPPORT | $2,000 |
| GREATER MORRIS COUNTY NFF NEW VERNON, NJ | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
| MORRIS HILLS REGIONAL DISTRICT ROCKAWAY, NJ | GENERAL SUPPORT | $5,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Woody Johnson - Director of the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation (related entity)
- Robert W. Johnson IV - Chairman and CEO
- Hymie Elhai - President and Secretary
Board members and executives serve without compensation.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BRIAN FRIEDMAN | TREASURER/COO/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| CHRISTOPHER W JOHNSON | VICE CHAIRMAN/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| JESSE LINDER | VP, COMMUNITY RELATIONS | 1 | — |
| HYMIE ELHAI | PRESIDENT | 1 | — |
| IRA AKSELRAD | EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ROBERT W JOHNSON IV | CHAIRMAN/CEO/DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
| ANDY LEE | SECRETARY/CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER | 1 | — |
| JAY D WAXENBERG | DIRECTOR | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**Women's Sports Initiatives (2026):**
The Betty Wold Johnson Foundation and New York Jets announced a $250,000 grant to the Women's Sports Foundation on National Girls and Women in Sports Day. The gift supports the Tara VanDerveer Fund for the Advancement of Women in Coaching and the Scott Pioli & Family Fund for Women Football Coaches and Scouts, facilitating hiring and professional development for women coaches in collegiate and professional sports.
Jets grant $1M to ECAC to help create women's flag football league - ESPN**Women's Flag Football League (2025):**
Jets grant $1M to ECAC to help create women's flag football league - ESPNThe foundation provided a $1,000,000 grant to the ECAC to launch the Jets ECAC Women's Flag Football League, representing a significant investment in expanding women's athletic opportunities at the collegiate level.
Jets grant $1M to ECAC to help create women's flag football league - ESPN**Fundraising Activities:**
The Jets Foundation operates a 50/50 Raffle during home games and stadium-approved events at MetLife Stadium, with proceeds benefiting select charities and the foundation. Raffle tickets are available for purchase by those 18 years and older.
**Community Partnerships:**
The foundation maintains ongoing partnerships with established charitable organizations and supports the Marty Lyons Foundation, which grants wishes to seriously ill children (over 8,800 wishes granted since 1982).
Frequently Asked Questions
What does New York Jets Foundation Inc fund?
**Mission:** The New York Jets Foundation takes a year-round commitment to community investment. Programs funded by the foundation aim to positively influence the future for young men and women in the tri-state area by promoting fitness and supporting youth football, particularly in disadvantaged communities. **Primary Focus Areas:** • Youth football development and sports programming • Fitness and physical activity promotion (including the Jets Play 60 initiative) • Education and youth develop…
How do I apply for a grant from New York Jets Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity (2024):** • Total giving: $938,799 • Number of grants: 43 • Grant range: $250 to $164,804 • Average grant amount: Varies by recipient **Recent Grant Examples:** • Lupus Research Alliance: $164,804 and $87,186 (general support) • Atlantic Health System: $51,650 (general support) • Women's Sports Foundation: $250,000 (directed by Woody Johnson, supporting women coaches in collegiate and professional sports) • ECAC (Eastern College Athletic Conference): $1,000,000 (to launch the J…
Where does New York Jets Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation's primary geographic focus is the tri-state area (New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut), though recent grants indicate funding activity extending to other states including Maryland and beyond.
What size grants does New York Jets Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, New York Jets Foundation Inc awarded 84 grants totaling $939K — an average of about $11K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is New York Jets Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, New York Jets Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $744K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is New York Jets Foundation Inc's EIN?
New York Jets Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7108291. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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