Players Philanthropy Fund Inc
Players Philanthropy Fund Inc. (PPF) is a public charity based in Towson, Maryland. Formed in 2010, it provides a platform for professional athletes, celebrities, and other philanthropists to collect and distribute charitable assets in support of qualified causes.
Players Philanthropy Fund Inc at a glance
In short: Players Philanthropy Fund Inc gave $29.5M across 268 grants in 2024 (avg $110K), top state Texas. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $29,505,238
- +1058.2% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 268
- +325.4% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $110,094
- +172.3% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $30,000
- Total assets
- $38,619,463
- +63.7% vs 2023
- Primary geography
- Texas (19% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated September 2026.
How to apply to Players Philanthropy Fund Inc
- Contact
Mailing address: 1122 Kenilworth Drive 201, Towson, MD 21204
Phone: (410) 825-0995
Website: https://ppf.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Players Philanthropy Fund Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Western Outreach Center Aka Cowboy Church of the Valley ($2.0M). Together the top 10 received $11.3M.
Grant Size Distribution
575 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 397 grants of 575 (69%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
PPF says its sponsored projects operate in all 50 U.S. states and 35 countries. In 2024, the largest shares of its grant dollars went to recipients in Texas (19%), New York (10%), California (9%), Florida (9%), and Maryland (7%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 268 itemized grants.
States
Cities
How Players Philanthropy Fund Inc gives
- Giving grew 453% from 2021 to 2024. Method
From the foundation's IRS Form 990 filings. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $2.5M (2020) to $29.5M (2024). In 2024 it made 268 grants totaling $29.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Western Outreach Center Aka Cowboy Church of the Valley Weslaco, TX | General Support to Further the Organization's Purpose. | $1,953,492 |
| Players Philanthropy Fund Towson, MD | General Support to Further the Organization's Purpose. | $1,716,949 |
| Miami-Dade County Public Schools Miami, FL | General Support to Further the Organization's Purpose. | $1,708,800 |
| Donorschooseorg New York, NY | General Support to Further the Organization's Purpose. | $1,629,700 |
| Catch the Fire DFW Ministries DBA Consumed Church North Richland Hills, TX | General Support to Further the Organization's Purpose. | $1,015,382 |
| Fiesta Events Inc Scottsdale, AZ | General Support to Further the Organization's Purpose. | $750,000 |
| Catch the Fire Boulder Lafayette, CO | General Support to Further the Organization's Purpose. | $669,897 |
| Home Church Roswell Roswell, GA | General Support to Further the Organization's Purpose. | $659,576 |
| Gridiron Foundation Fort Wayne, IN | General Support to Further the Organization's Purpose. | $600,000 |
| Helps Inc Broken Arrow, OK | General Support to Further the Organization's Purpose. | $549,784 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $38,619,463 | $73,240,305 | $63,369,365 | $29,505,238 | 268 | $669,062 |
| 2023 | $23,586,226 | $37,465,428 | $41,607,183 | $2,547,449 | 63 | $151,084 |
| 2022 | $24,735,306 | $44,272,394 | $31,308,734 | $6,730,918 | 101 | $-3,871 |
| 2021 | $12,344,741 | $23,235,628 | $16,647,504 | $5,338,718 | 76 | $32,463 |
| 2020 | $5,744,155 | $11,330,994 | $8,639,019 | $2,510,395 | 67 | $40,043 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
PPF’s stated mission is to provide professional athletes, celebrities, and other philanthropists with a vehicle for collecting and distributing charitable assets in support of qualified causes through a simple, responsible, and cost-effective platform. The organization also describes its mission as empowering philanthropists and positively impacting causes and communities in need globally through philanthropic education, facilitation, and inspiration.
Its 2024 filing lists grants for general support. Among the recipients, DonorsChoose.org says it engages the public in public schools and aims to address educational inequity; Prison Journalism Project says it trains incarcerated writers in journalism and publishes their stories; and Fiesta Sports Foundation says it executes sporting events and champions charitable causes. These are the grantees’ descriptions of their own work.
Grantmaking
In 2024, PPF reported 268 grants totaling $29,505,238. Grant amounts ranged from $5,217 to $1,953,492, with a median grant of $30,000. The largest listed grants included $1,953,492 to Western Outreach Center, also known as Cowboy Church of the Valley; $1,716,949 to Players Philanthropy Fund; $1,708,800 to Miami-Dade County Public Schools; and $1,629,700 to DonorsChoose.org. The stated purpose for these grants was general support to further each organization’s purpose.
PPF’s website describes an application process for fiscal sponsorship: submit an online application, have an introductory call with a representative, determine who is responsible for signing the agreement, sign it, make a $5,000 opening deposit, and complete onboarding. Its grant resources page lists grant request and notification forms and a travel voucher request. Projects pursuing government grants must request PPF approval for each opportunity before applying.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing lists Seth A. McDonnell as president and trustee, Matt Stover as vice president and trustee, and Alan S. Helfer as treasurer and trustee. Trustees listed are Joe Foss, Paul Forman, Nik Kapauan, and Maura Jackson.
Players Philanthropy Fund Inc is led by Seth A. McDonnell, President & Trustee on every filing since 2020; none of the 7 officers listed in 2024 report compensation.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Seth A. McDonnell
President & Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$176K (2021) → $0 (2024)
Matt Stover
Vice President & Trustee
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
$53K (2020) → $0 (2024)
Alan S. Helfer
Treasurer & Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Joe Foss
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maura Jackson
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nik Kapauan
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Paul Forman
Trustee
New on the 2024 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (1)
- Former: Kevin McAllister (2021–2023) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2021 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2021 filing was $176K, to Seth a McDonnell (President/Trustee). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Players Philanthropy Fund Inc
How much does Players Philanthropy Fund Inc give each year?
Players Philanthropy Fund Inc gave $29.5M across 268 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $2.5M across 63 grants.
What is Players Philanthropy Fund Inc's typical grant size?
Players Philanthropy Fund Inc's median grant in 2024 was $30,000, and its average grant was $110,094, across 268 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does Players Philanthropy Fund Inc give grants?
Players Philanthropy Fund Inc's top state is Texas, with 19% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were New York (10%) and California (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were New York, NY (9 grants), Dallas, TX (8 grants), Chicago, IL (7 grants) and Atlanta, GA (7 grants).
Does Players Philanthropy Fund Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of Players Philanthropy Fund Inc's 2024 grants with a stated purpose (268 of 268) were for general or operating support, per its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Who are Players Philanthropy Fund Inc's largest grantees?
Players Philanthropy Fund Inc's largest 2024 grantees include Western Outreach Center Aka Cowboy Church of the Valley ($1,953,492), Players Philanthropy Fund ($1,716,949) and Miami-Dade County Public Schools ($1,708,800), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 18% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is Players Philanthropy Fund Inc?
Players Philanthropy Fund Inc reported $38.6M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $73.2M.
What does Players Philanthropy Fund Inc fund?
PPF’s stated mission is to provide professional athletes, celebrities, and other philanthropists with a vehicle for collecting and distributing charitable assets in support of qualified causes through a simple, responsible, and cost-effective platform. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Players Philanthropy Fund Inc?
Players Philanthropy Fund Inc has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check ppf.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is Players Philanthropy Fund Inc's EIN?
Players Philanthropy Fund Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 27-6601178. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS November 4, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 15, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 13, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 14, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 21, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Players Philanthropy Fund Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 13, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/players-philanthropy-fund-inc-morg_bf0da81842474b7dbef1f930e2fa4a16
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_276601178_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Players Philanthropy Fund Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/players-philanthropy-fund-inc-morg_bf0da81842474b7dbef1f930e2fa4a16},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-13. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Players Philanthropy Fund Inc's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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