Congratulations to the Kansas City Chiefs on their Super Bowl win tonight! It was a fun game to watch.
The Super Bowl is always a great night, but all year round Operation HOPE and the NFL’s Inspire Change initiative are out there in the community, on the ground, making change happen with and for those who may never experience the magic of a Super Bowl game. But together, the NFL Inspire Change and Operation HOPE are creating individual Super Bowl winner experiences for families and individuals nationwide. Every. Day.
Inspire Change, Operation HOPE helping provide pathway to economic advancement
The NFL is proud to join organizations like Operation HOPE in reducing barriers to opportunity and helping provide a pathway to economic advancement. Join NFL players, clubs, and the league in learning more about how we can extend financial inclusion, economic equity, and achieve equality for all. It takes all of us end racism.
NFL nears $250 million commitment with more than $244 million in contributions since 2017
NEW YORK (May 25, 2022) – As part of the NFL’s Inspire Change social justice initiative, the league today announced renewals of 21 national grant partners, totaling $6.5 million in donations.
Inspire Change showcases the collaborative efforts of players, clubs, and the League to create positive change in communities across the country. Since 2017, the NFL family has provided more than $244 million to 37 national grant partners and hundreds of grassroots organizations across the country, nearing its 10-year, $250 million commitment to social justice efforts. This includes more than 1,800 Inspire Change matching grants provided by the NFL Foundation to current NFL players and Legends for nonprofits of their choice to help reduce barriers to opportunity.
The 21 renewed grants were recently approved by the Player-Owner Social Justice Working Group, which is comprised of a 10-member panel of players, Legends and team owners. Grants are awarded to nonprofit organizations creating measurable change across the four pillars of Inspire Change, which include education, economic advancement, police-community relations and criminal justice reform.
“The NFL is proud to renew its commitment to these 21 organizations as they continue to drive positive change in communities nationwide,” said Anna Isaacson, NFL Senior Vice President, Social Responsibility. “The greater societal needs that these organizations serve represent the core tenets behind Inspire Change, and their meaningful work and measurable impact continue to inspire the NFL in its ongoing quest for social justice.”
The specific impact these 21 grant partners have made in their communities include advocacy to end mass incarceration and offering tuition-free educational resources; wraparound services for youth battling homelessness; various mentorship programs and re-entry services; fighting to end cash bail and pre-trial detention; addressing “three-strikes” laws; and financial empowerment services.
The Player-Owner Social Justice Working Group also renewed its commitment to address the “digital divide,” a longstanding barrier to internet and technology access in the U.S. exacerbated due to the COVID-19 pandemic and disproportionately impacting communities of color. Specifically, the Working Group approved an additional $480,000 in funding allocated to NFL clubs – $15,000 per club – to further their work with local nonprofits to help alleviate the “digital divide” in areas that need it most.
“Our vision is to create a stronger, more inclusive economy—and by extension, society through financial empowerment – and financial dignity. Think of the difference our programs make in people’s lives as they improve their FICO scores by 100 points or more. Think about the impact on families and communities as more people and more local businesses succeed. And consider the new investments and jobs that come to communities where people are financially secure and young people have the skills to be productive. We are proud to partner with the NFL as part of the Inspire Change initiative to bring meaningful impact to our communities and advance the critical dialogue on social justice taking place nationally.” – JOHN HOPE BRYANT, Operation HOPE Founder, Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer.