Players Philanthropy Fund Inc
Players Philanthropy Fund (PPF) is a 501(c)(3) public charity based in Towson, Maryland that provides fiscal sponsorship and back-office administration for charitable projects. Founded in 2010, PPF serves as a platform enabling philanthropists—including professional athletes, celebrities, corporations, and individuals—to create and manage dedicated charitable initiatives with tax-deductible contributions. The organization currently fiscal sponsors over 600 charitable projects operating across all 50 U.S. states and 35 countries.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$38.6M
+63.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$29.5M
+1058.2% YoY
Grant Count
268
+325.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$110K
+172.3% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission Statement: To empower philanthropists and positively impact causes and communities in need globally, through sound, best-practiced-based philanthropic education, facilitation, and inspiration.
PPF's core approach centers on making giving back accessible by simplifying the philanthropic journey through back-office management. The organization supports a broad range of charitable initiatives, from youth programs to global relief efforts. Key focus areas include:
- Philanthropic education and best practices
- Fiscal sponsorship administration
- Donor-advised fund management
- Compliance support for charitable initiatives
- Community impact and capacity building
Grantmaking
PPF operates as a fiscal sponsorship platform rather than a traditional grantmaker. The organization processes charitable gifts and facilitates distributions to qualified charitable organizations through its sponsored projects.
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
PPF supports charitable projects in all 50 U.S. states and 35 countries internationally, reflecting its global reach in philanthropic administration.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
2024 Financial Data:
- Total Revenue: $73.2 million
- Total Expenses: $63.4 million
- Total Assets: $38.6 million
- Total Liabilities: $5.52 million
2023 Financial Data:
- Annual Revenue: $37.5 million
- Total Assets: $23.6 million
- Total Giving: $12.4 million
2022 Financial Data:
- Revenue: $44.3 million
- Expenses: $31.3 million
- Net Assets: $24.4 million
Staffing: 12 employees (as of 2024)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $38,619,463 | $23,586,226 | $24,735,306 |
| Revenue | $73,240,305 | $37,465,428 | $44,272,394 |
| Expenses | $63,369,365 | $41,607,183 | $31,308,734 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $669,062 | $151,084 | $-3,871 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
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
250 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Donorschooseorg ($1,629,700), Far Ai Inc ($486,933), Conference Usa ($375,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| A BETTER BMORE FOUNDATION COLUMBIA, MD | GENERAL SUPPORT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S PURPOSE. | $50,000 |
| AFRICAN SOLUTIONS TO AFRICAN PROBLEMS VALATIE, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S PURPOSE. | $11,152 |
| ALK POSITIVE INC ATLANTA, GA | GENERAL SUPPORT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S PURPOSE. | $20,000 |
| AMANDA'S ADAPTIVE MARTIAL ARTS SAN DIEGO, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S PURPOSE. | $30,000 |
| AMERICAS BIG SISTER FOUNDATION FRANKFORT, IL | GENERAL SUPPORT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S PURPOSE. | $130,000 |
| ANGELS' VOICES SILENCED NO MORE ALBUQUERQUE, NM | GENERAL SUPPORT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S PURPOSE. | $10,000 |
| APEX FOR YOUTH INC NEW YORK, NY | GENERAL SUPPORT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S PURPOSE. | $92,706 |
| ARRAY ALLIANCE INC ENCINO, CA | GENERAL SUPPORT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S PURPOSE. | $50,000 |
| ASH TREE ORGANIZATION SAVANNAH, GA | GENERAL SUPPORT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S PURPOSE. | $60,000 |
| BALTIMORE GREEN JUSTICE WORKERS COOPERATIVE (BGJWC) BALTIMORE, MD | GENERAL SUPPORT TO FURTHER THE ORGANIZATION'S PURPOSE. | $17,500 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Founder: Matt Stover, 2x Super Bowl Champion and Baltimore Ravens "Ring of Honor" inductee
- CEO/President: Seth McDonnell
- Vice President/Trustee: John Stover
The organization was founded in 2010 when Matt Stover and Seth McDonnell partnered to address obstacles athletes faced in managing philanthropic endeavors and ensuring IRS compliance.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SETH A MCDONNELL | PRESIDENT/TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| MATT STOVER | VICE PRESIDENT/TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| ALAN S HELFER | TREASURER/TRUSTEE | 2 | — |
| JOE FOSS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| PAUL FORMAN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| NIK KAPAUAN | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| MAURA JACKSON | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Taylor Rooks, journalist and media personality, launched the Taylor Rooks Foundation through PPF to uplift and empower underserved communities
Taylor Rooks launches the Taylor Rooks Foundation to uplift ...THE PLAYERS Championship announced 2024 Red Coats' Community Grants recipients, indicating PPF's involvement in major sporting event philanthropic initiatives
THE PLAYERS Championship Announces 2024 Red Coats\u2019 Community Grants\Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Players Philanthropy Fund Inc fund?
**Mission Statement:** To empower philanthropists and positively impact causes and communities in need globally, through sound, best-practiced-based philanthropic education, facilitation, and inspiration. PPF's core approach centers on making giving back accessible by simplifying the philanthropic journey through back-office management. The organization supports a broad range of charitable initiatives, from youth programs to global relief efforts. Key focus areas include: • Philanthropic educat…
How do I apply for a grant from Players Philanthropy Fund Inc?
PPF operates as a fiscal sponsorship platform rather than a traditional grantmaker. The organization processes charitable gifts and facilitates distributions to qualified charitable organizations through its sponsored projects. **Recent Grant Activity (2024):** • Total grants distributed: $23,668,785 (243+ grants) • Notable distributions include: • Players Philanthropy Fund (general support): $1,716,949 • DonorsChoose.org: $1,629,700 • Catch The Fire-DFW: $1,015,382
Where does Players Philanthropy Fund Inc make grants?
PPF supports charitable projects in all 50 U.S. states and 35 countries internationally, reflecting its global reach in philanthropic administration.
What size grants does Players Philanthropy Fund Inc award?
In 2024, Players Philanthropy Fund Inc awarded 268 grants totaling $29.5M — an average of about $110K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Players Philanthropy Fund Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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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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