Buffalo Bills – Donation Request Program (2026)
In-Kind Donations for Nonprofits Within 100 Miles of Highmark Stadium
The Buffalo Bills accept donation requests from eligible nonprofit organizations throughout Western New York and surrounding communities within the team’s Home Marketing Area.
The program provides in-kind donation items to help nonprofits enhance charitable events and fundraising activities. Priority is given to organizations whose work aligns with the Bills’ core community pillars, including CPR and AED access, food insecurity, youth football, social justice, and NFL initiatives.
Requests must be submitted at least six weeks before the event date.
Organization: Buffalo Bills
Support Type: In-kind donations
Geographic Focus: Within 100 miles of Highmark Stadium
Eligible Applicants: 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations
Application Timeline: Rolling
Required Lead Time: At least six weeks before the event
Request Limit: One fulfilled donation per organization per calendar year
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About the Funder
The Buffalo Bills are a National Football League team based in Orchard Park, New York.
Through charitable giving, community programming, the Buffalo Bills Foundation, youth football initiatives, and other partnerships, the organization works to strengthen communities throughout Western New York and the broader Bills market.
The Donation Request Program provides eligible nonprofits with in-kind support that can complement charitable events and fundraising activities.
This is not a traditional cash grant program.
Learn More About the Buffalo Bills Foundation:
➡️ https://www.buffalobills.com/community/bills-foundation
Community Giving Priorities
The Buffalo Bills give highest priority to nonprofit organizations whose work reflects the team’s core community pillars.
CPR & AED Access
The Bills support efforts that increase access to lifesaving CPR education, training, automated external defibrillators, and cardiac emergency preparedness.
Organizations working in areas such as:
- CPR training
- AED placement
- Cardiac emergency preparedness
- Community health education
- Youth sports safety
may have particularly strong alignment.
The Bills’ HeartBEAT initiative provides additional insight into the team’s commitment to heart health and increasing access to lifesaving resources.
Learn More About Bills HeartBEAT:
➡️ https://www.buffalobills.com/community/heart-health-awareness
Food Insecurity
Organizations helping individuals and families access nutritious food are another major priority.
Potentially aligned organizations include:
- Food banks
- Food pantries
- Community meal programs
- Hunger relief organizations
- Food distribution programs
- Organizations addressing barriers to food access
Food security is also a major focus of the Buffalo Bills Foundation, including its Huddle for Hunger initiatives and grantmaking throughout Western New York.
Buffalo Bills Foundation:
➡️ https://www.buffalobills.com/community/bills-foundation
Youth Football
The Bills have a strong commitment to expanding opportunities for young people to participate in football.
Relevant programs may include:
- Youth football leagues
- Flag football
- Football camps
- Coaching and player development
- Programs improving access to youth sports
- Football safety and education initiatives
The Bills operate a range of youth football and flag football initiatives throughout Western New York.
Explore Buffalo Bills Youth Programs:
➡️ https://www.buffalobills.com/youth-programs/
Social Justice
Organizations advancing stronger and more equitable communities may also receive priority.
Programs could address:
- Community opportunity
- Equity
- Social justice
- Youth empowerment
- Community development
- Reduction of barriers facing underserved populations
NFL Initiatives
The Bills also prioritize causes connected with broader NFL community initiatives.
These may include league-wide efforts focused on health, youth, military communities, cancer awareness, social justice, and other charitable priorities.
One example is the NFL’s Crucial Catch initiative, which promotes cancer prevention, early detection, and risk reduction.
Learn More About Buffalo Bills Crucial Catch:
➡️ https://www.buffalobills.com/community/crucial-catch
Other Causes May Be Considered
Organizations do not have to fit exclusively within one of the Bills’ priority pillars to submit a request.
The Buffalo Bills specifically note that these are not the only causes the team supports.
However, organizations aligned with the identified core pillars will receive the highest priority.
Applicants outside those areas should clearly explain:
- Their connection to the local community
- The charitable purpose of the event
- Who will benefit
- How a Bills donation will contribute to the organization’s mission
Eligible Organizations
Applicants must:
- Hold current 501(c)(3) nonprofit status
- Have a valid tax identification number
- Be located within the Buffalo Bills Home Marketing Area
- Submit the request at least six weeks before the event
- Submit the request through the official online system
Organizations are eligible for only one fulfilled donation per calendar year.
Geographic Focus
Organizations must be located within the Buffalo Bills’ Home Marketing Area, defined for this program as a:
100-mile radius of Highmark Stadium
Highmark Stadium is located in Orchard Park, New York.
This geographic focus makes the opportunity particularly relevant to organizations throughout Western New York and nearby communities within the 100-mile radius.
Applicants should confirm that their organization falls within the required radius before submitting a request.
What the Program Provides
The Buffalo Bills provide in-kind donation items rather than direct cash grants through this request program.
The team does not guarantee a particular item or donation value.
Organizations should also not structure an event around the expectation that a Bills item will be received.
Instead, the Bills recommend treating any donation as a complementary element of an already established charitable event or fundraising effort.
One Donation Per Year
Organizations are eligible for:
One fulfilled donation per calendar year
Nonprofits that hold multiple events throughout the year should determine which event represents the best opportunity to request Bills support.
The Bills also ask organizations to submit their anticipated in-kind donation requests for the year at one time when possible to help streamline distribution.
Third-Party Fundraising Is Not Eligible
The Buffalo Bills do not support third-party fundraising requests through this program.
Examples may include:
- Walks organized by individuals on behalf of another charity
- Booster clubs raising money for another organization
- Independent fundraising teams
- Individuals fundraising on behalf of an unrelated nonprofit
If an event is raising money for another organization, a staff member from the beneficiary nonprofit should submit the request directly.
The Bills want to provide support directly to the charitable organization benefiting from the fundraiser rather than an outside group fundraising on its behalf.
Outside Merchandise Will Not Be Autographed
Organizations should not send merchandise to the Buffalo Bills requesting an autograph.
The team does not accept outside merchandise for autographing.
Applicants should submit the online donation request and allow the Bills to determine whether an in-kind item can be provided.
Application Timeline
📅 Application Timeline: Rolling / ongoing
📅 Minimum Lead Time: Six weeks before the event
📅 Request Limit: One fulfilled donation per calendar year
Organizations should plan ahead.
Requests submitted less than six weeks before the event date will not meet the published criteria.
Submitting an application does not guarantee that a donation will be provided.
Because the Bills receive a high volume of requests, nonprofits should submit complete applications as early as possible.
Application / Request Process
All requests must be submitted through the Buffalo Bills’ online request system.
The team does not accept requests by:
- Phone
- Fax
Applicants should be prepared to provide information including:
- Organization name
- 501(c)(3) status
- Tax ID
- Organization location
- Event information
- Event date
- Charitable purpose
- Contact information
- Intended use of the donation
Apply / Learn More:
➡️ https://www.buffalobills.com/community/donation-requests
Direct Donation Request Form:
➡️ https://buffalobills.formstack.com/forms/donation_requests
Additional Buffalo Bills Community Resources
Organizations interested in building a stronger understanding of the Bills’ community priorities may also want to review:
Buffalo Bills Foundation
➡️ https://www.buffalobills.com/community/bills-foundation
Buffalo Bills Youth Programs
➡️ https://www.buffalobills.com/youth-programs/
Bills HeartBEAT – Heart Health & CPR/AED Awareness
➡️ https://www.buffalobills.com/community/heart-health-awareness
Crucial Catch – Cancer Prevention & Awareness
➡️ https://www.buffalobills.com/community/crucial-catch
Reviewing these programs may help applicants understand where their organization most closely aligns with the Bills’ broader community investment strategy.
Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit
This opportunity is a strong fit for organizations that:
- Are located within 100 miles of Highmark Stadium
- Hold 501(c)(3) nonprofit status
- Are planning a charitable event or fundraiser
- Can submit at least six weeks in advance
- Address food insecurity
- Promote CPR and AED access
- Support youth football
- Advance social justice
- Align with NFL community initiatives
- Can benefit from an in-kind contribution rather than cash funding
Organizations aligned with one of the Bills’ priority areas should clearly highlight that connection in their request.
For organizations outside those core pillars, emphasize the local impact of the organization and the charitable benefit of the event.
Corporate Grants Guide Notes
Support Type: In-kind donation items
Application Timeline: Rolling
Minimum Lead Time: Six weeks before event
Geographic Focus: Organizations within a 100-mile radius of Highmark Stadium
Eligible Applicants: 501(c)(3) nonprofits with a valid Tax ID
Priority Areas: CPR and AED access, food insecurity, youth football, social justice, and NFL initiatives
Request Limit: One fulfilled donation per calendar year
Third-Party Fundraisers: Not eligible; beneficiary nonprofits should apply directly
Outside Merchandise: Will not be accepted for autographing
Best Suited For: Local nonprofits seeking an in-kind item to complement a charitable event or fundraiser
Key Strategy: Apply early, demonstrate a strong local connection, and clearly identify alignment with one of the Bills’ priority community pillars.
