NFL Foundation-LISC Grassroots Field Grant Program Provides $3 Million for New and Refurbished Community Football Fields

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 – 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 365 fields nationwide. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the NFL Foundation/LISC partnership, while the NFL is also celebrating its 100th season.

This funding cycle will include new fields, or field enhancements in the following cities: Atlanta, Baltimore; Boston; Brooklyn, N.Y.; Chicago; Greenburg, Pa.; Houston; Indian Trail, N.C.; Miami; Philadelphia; Phoenix; Racine, Wis.; Rome, Ga.; and Yelm, Wash.

The fields in these cities 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.

“For the last 20 years, the NFL Foundation and LISC have helped to create new community playing fields and revitalized old ones in neighborhoods throughout the country,” said ALEXIA GALLAGHER, Senior Director of Philanthropy & Executive Director, NFL Foundation at National Football League. “With more than one million youth using these fields, which provide safe places for families to come together and participate in sports, the benefits of the NFL Foundation/LISC Grassroots Field Grant Program are indisputable.”

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 communities. 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. “Great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families. Local athletic fields are a critical part of that and we look forward to bringing additional fields to neighborhoods throughout the country.”

The 2019 Grassroots funding cycle will begin May 15th and the deadline for proposal submissions is August 30, 2019. Details are here.
 

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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 combines corporate, government and philanthropic resources to help nonprofit community development corporations revitalize distressed neighborhoods. Since 1980, LISC has raised more than $20 billion to build or rehab more than 400,500 affordable homes and develop 66.8 million square feet of retail, community and educational space nationwide. LISC support has leveraged nearly $60.4 billion in total development activity. For more information, visit www.lisc.org.