Funding Amount

Not stated

Deadline

Deadline not published

Grant Type

Foundation

Can we apply?

Check your organization against each line. Taken from the listing; confirm with the funder's guidelines.

Eligible organizations

  • 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.
  • Current and former NFL Players with nonprofit organizations, or who work full-time for a recognized nonprofit can apply.

Required status

  • Tax-exempt status
  • In operation at least three years
  • 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status

Other requirements

  • For former NFL players, only those vested under the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Retirement Plan are eligible for funding consideration.

Not eligible / not funded

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

Overview

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.

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

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.

What NFL Foundation Inc actually gave

Source: IRS Form 990, 2025

Grants in 2025
324
Total given
$97.57M
Median grant
$20K
Range
$5,310–$45.51M
  • By dollars: Indiana 47%, New York 12%, District of Columbia 10%. Top recipient cities: New York, NY; Washington, DC; Atlanta, GA.
  • 38% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

Example grants

  • USA Football · Indianapolis, IN

    $45.51M

  • NCPG · Washington, DC

    $6.14M

  • Bob Woodruff Family Foundation Inc · Brooklyn, NY

    $5.58M

  • Local Initiatives Support Corporation · New York, NY

    $3.45M

  • Everfi Inc · Charleston, SC

    $2.1M

IRS Form 990, 2025. Amounts as reported by the funder. Full 990 history →

Focus Areas & Funding Uses

Fields of Work

  • Nonprofits
  • Veteran nonprofits

Categories

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