NFL Foundation – Player Matching Grants (2026)

Matching Grants Supporting Nonprofits, Schools, Youth Football Programs, and Community Organizations Connected to NFL Players and Legends

The NFL Foundation Player Matching Grants program provides funding of up to $5,000 per grant to nonprofit organizations, schools, and youth football organizations on behalf of a current NFL Player or NFL Legend who has contributed financially to the organization. Grants are available in three primary areas: Community Support, Social Justice, and Youth & High School Football.

Organization: NFL Foundation
Support Type: Matching grants and select non-match funding for eligible former-player coaches
Geographic Focus: United States / NFL player- and Legend-supported organizations

New to corporate grant fundraising?
Read our Corporate Grants for Nonprofits: Ultimate Guide to learn how corporate funding works.

About the Funder

The NFL Foundation is the charitable foundation of the National Football League. Through its grantmaking programs, the Foundation supports football-related initiatives, youth development, community impact, social justice, health and wellness, and nonprofit organizations connected to NFL players, clubs, and communities.

What This Program Supports

NFL Foundation Player Matching Grants are designed to help current NFL Players and NFL Legends extend the impact of their personal charitable giving. To qualify for most Player Matching Grants, the applicant must provide a 1:1 financial match in the current calendar year.

Players and Legends may apply for matching grants in the following areas:

Community Support

Player Matching Community Grants allow NFL players and Legends to support broad community efforts through nonprofit organizations. Areas of support may include, but are not limited to:

Disease prevention and awareness
Mental health
Youth health and fitness
Military appreciation
Disaster relief
Domestic violence and sexual assault prevention
Character education
Anti-bullying
Animal welfare
Other charitable community initiatives

The NFL Foundation will not match donations to political organizations, religious organizations, or churches.

Social Justice

Player Matching Social Justice Grants support programs and initiatives that reduce barriers to opportunity through nonprofit organizations. Priority areas may include:

Education
Criminal justice reform
Community and police relations
Workforce development
Economic development
Grassroots leadership
Community involvement as a vehicle for social change

Strong consideration is given to organizations that emphasize grassroots leadership and community involvement.

Youth & High School Football

Player Matching Youth & High School Football Grants support nonprofit youth and high school flag and tackle football programs. These grants help ensure that young athletes, including both boys and girls, have the equipment and resources needed to play football safely.

Former Players Currently Coaching Youth or High School Football

The NFL Foundation also recognizes the time contribution of NFL Legends who coach nonprofit youth and high school flag or tackle football programs. Eligible former players may receive up to $5,000 in non-match funding based on the need, merit, and standing of the application.

Former players must serve as head coaches or full-time assistant coaches to be eligible. Athletic directors and league commissioners may apply and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Eligible Support Types

Matching grants of up to $5,000
Community support grants
Social justice grants
Youth and high school football grants
Non-match funding for eligible NFL Legends coaching youth or high school football

Eligibility & Preferences

This grant is open to current and former NFL players who contribute financially to nonprofit organizations, schools, or youth football organizations.

Key eligibility requirements include:

The applicant must be a current NFL Player or NFL Legend.
Players must be vested.
For matching grants, a 1:1 match must be provided by the applicant in the current calendar year.
The supported organization must be a nonprofit organization, school, or youth football organization.
Players and Legends may apply for up to two Player Matching Grants per calendar year, provided the grants are awarded to different organizations.
An organization may receive up to two grants in one year if the grants are awarded from different Players or Legends.

For the former-player coaching grant, former players must serve as head coaches or full-time assistant coaches of nonprofit youth or high school flag or tackle football programs.

Ineligible Requests

The NFL Foundation will not match donations to:

Political organizations
Religious organizations
Churches

Requests that do not include an eligible current NFL Player or NFL Legend applicant may not be eligible for this program.

Funding Amounts

Player Matching Grants provide up to $5,000 per grant.

Players and Legends may apply for up to two Player Matching Grants per calendar year if each grant supports a different organization. Organizations may receive up to two grants in one year if the grants come from different Players or Legends.

Eligible former players coaching nonprofit youth or high school football programs may receive up to $5,000 in non-match funding.

Timeline & Review

📅 Application Deadline: September 30, 2026
📅 Application Type: Not rolling
📅 Funding Determinations: Made after the application deadline
📅 Status Updates: Applicants should not contact the NFL Foundation for status updates before the application deadline

Application / Request Process

Applications must be submitted through the NFL Foundation’s Player Matching Grants application process. Because this program is designed for current NFL Players and NFL Legends, nonprofits and schools should confirm that an eligible player or Legend has contributed to the organization and is willing to apply on the organization’s behalf.

Applicants should be prepared to document:

The eligible NFL Player or NFL Legend applicant
The recipient nonprofit organization, school, or youth football organization
The player or Legend’s financial contribution
The required 1:1 match, if applicable
The grant category: Community Support, Social Justice, or Youth & High School Football
How the organization or program aligns with the selected grant area

Apply / Learn More:
➡️ NFL Foundation Player Matching Grants

Why This Opportunity Is a Good Fit

This opportunity is a strong fit for nonprofits, schools, and youth football organizations that already have a relationship with a current NFL Player or NFL Legend who has made a financial contribution to the organization.

It may be especially relevant for organizations working in community health, youth development, mental health, domestic violence prevention, social justice, education, workforce development, economic opportunity, or youth football. Because the application must be connected to an eligible NFL Player or Legend, organizations should focus on cultivating and documenting player relationships before pursuing this grant.

Corporate Grants Guide Notes

Review Type: Competitive / deadline-based review
Application Deadline: September 30, 2026
Typical Lead Time: Coordinate with the eligible NFL Player or NFL Legend well before the deadline
Best Suited For: Nonprofits, schools, youth football organizations, and community programs with a financial contribution from an eligible NFL Player or NFL Legend
Geographic Fit: National, tied to eligible player or Legend support
Support Type: Matching grant funding up to $5,000
Important Note: This application is not rolling; funding determinations are made after the deadline