Player Foundation Grant

Player Foundation Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: National Football League (NFL) Foundation
Last Updated: December 18, 2025

Summary

The Player Foundation Grant, offered by the NFL Foundation, supports the charitable initiatives of current and former NFL players through their nonprofit organizations. Eligible applicants must be vested under the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Retirement Plan and operate a tax-exempt organization. This grant does not guarantee funding and should not be relied upon in annual budgeting. Organizations must have been established for at least three years and be capable of functioning without NFL Foundation support.

Overview

Player Foundation Grant The NFL Foundation recognizes and supports the charitable work of current and former NFL players with nonprofit organizations around the country. The NFL Player Foundation Grant program is open to current and former NFL players with nonprofit organizations, or who work full time for a recognized nonprofit, that has been established for at least three years. This is NOT a matching grant. Applicants are not guaranteed funding, and those applying should not consider potential NFL Foundation grant dollars in their annual planning or budgeting. When applying for this grant consider that your foundation must be able to plan and execute all programs, activities and events regardless being awarded an NFL Foundation grant.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. For former NFL players, only those vested under the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Retirement Plan are eligible for funding consideration.The applying organization must be defined as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) or Section 509 of the IRS Code.Current and former NFL Players with nonprofit organizations, or who work full-time for a recognized nonprofit can apply.

Ineligibility

NFL Player Foundation Grants may not be awarded to memorial foundations on behalf of deceased former players.If your foundation cannot operate without NFL Foundation funding, you cannot apply for this grant. The NFL Foundation will not review applications for organizations who do not have proof (an IRS determination letter) of tax-exempt status.An organization’s application for tax-exempt status is not considered proof.