Grants totaling $3 million from the NFL Foundation and LISC’s Grassroots Field Grant Program will benefit 14 cities to build or refurbish neighborhood football fields. Since 1998, the program has provided nearly $61 million in support to create or refurbish 376 fields nationwide. This most recent round of funding will impact cities including Akron, Chicago, Flint and Tempe.
NFL FOUNDATION/LISC GRASSROOTS FIELD GRANT PROGRAM PROVIDES SECOND ROUND OF $3 MILLION FUNDING FOR NEW AND REFURBISHED COMMUNITY FOOTBALL FIELDS IN 14 CITIES NATIONWIDE THIS YEAR
Nearly $61 million in grants committed since 1998, resulting in 376 neighborhood fields
NEW YORK – (January 9, 2020) – Community organizations, schools and parks in 14 cities across the country will receive grants totaling $3 million from the NFL Foundation/LISC Grassroots Field Grant Program, which is a partnership between the NFL Foundation and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), the nation’s leading community development support organization – to build or refurbish neighborhood football fields.
Since 1998, the NFL Foundation/LISC Grassroots Field Grant Program has provided nearly $61 million to support the creation or refurbishment of 376 fields nationwide. This funding cycle will include new fields, or field enhancements, in the following cities: Akron, Ohio; Chicago; Columbia, Miss.; Culver City, Calif; Dallas; Flint, Mich.; Harrison, Ohio; Indianapolis; Kansas City; Las Vegas; Miami; San Diego; Springfield, Mass.; and Tempe, Ariz.
The fields are newly built or significantly renovated, with improvements such as: irrigation systems, lights, bleachers, scoreboards, goal posts and turf. Grassroots grants are issued once established funding thresholds are reached for each project.
“We’re proud to team up with LISC yet again for the NFL Foundation/LISC Grassroots Field Grant Program to make an impact in 14 communities across the country,” said ALEXIA GALLAGHER, the NFL’s Vice President of Philanthropy & Executive Director, NFL Foundation. “The benefits of these field grants are best shown through the over one million youth, families and community members who can come to these renovated areas and safely enjoy watching and playing sports.”
LISC identifies local, nonprofit and community-based agencies that have an interest in building or refurbishing football fields in schools and neighborhood parks. Through the program, the local agencies are provided with the necessary financing and technical assistance to improve the quality and safety of fields in their areas. The agencies oversee the construction, maintenance and programming of the fields.
“Our work with the NFL Foundation fits perfectly with LISC’s mission to forge resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America,” said MAURICE JONES, LISC president and CEO. “Local athletic fields are critical assets of opportunity. We look forward to bringing additional fields to neighborhoods throughout the country.”
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About the NFL Foundation
The National Football League Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those touched by the game of football – from players at all levels to communities across the country. The NFL Foundation represents the 32 NFL clubs and supports the health and safety of athletes, youth football, and the communities which support our game. For more information on The NFL Foundation, visit: www.NFLFoundation.org.
About LISC
LISC equips struggling communities with the capital, program strategy and know-how to become places where people can thrive. It combines corporate, government and philanthropic resources. Since 1980, LISC has invested $20 billion to build or rehab 400,500 affordable homes and apartments and develop 67 million square feet of retail, community and educational space—including athletic facilities and other recreational space.