NFL CHARITIES ANNUAL REPORT

Transcription

1 NFL CHARITIES ANNUAL REPORT

2 Message from the Commissioner The National Football League delivers the most popular sport in America. We are proud of this status and the responsibilities that it carries in everything we do. With leadership comes a fundamental responsibility to uphold our legacy of community engagement and the highest standards of excellence. NFL Charities is the non-profit foundation that grants nearly $10 million each year on behalf of our 32 teams towards national initiatives. It is the embodiment of the league s commitment to communities, the next generation and discoveries in the field of sports medicine. Our players know that the legacy they leave in communities is as important as on-field achievements. With that in mind, the first-ever NFL Charities Week took place in 2009 as a national, five-day tour of player foundation events to highlight their excellent community work and the grants they received from NFL Charities. We are extremely proud to support their work each year. We are also proud of our unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of former players who built our sport and may now turn to us for assistance. In three decades of working with the United Way and five decades of partnership with the USO, we continue to demonstrate how NFL players, coaches and owners extend themselves to serve in their communities and inspire others by joining in volunteer activities and going the extra mile to support our troops. Our heritage of community commitment is as strong today as when NFL Charities was founded in It includes the NFL Youth Education Town Initiative (NFL YETs), which serve as permanent legacies of each Super Bowl and as safe places for young people. We invite you to visit an NFL YET and join us as we volunteer in your community. As always, we thank you for your support! Roger Goodell - NFL Commissioner & President, NFL Charities

3 Mission NFL Charities is a non-profit organization created by the 32 member clubs of the National Football League to enable the teams to collectively make grants to charitable and worthwhile causes on a national scale. Since its inception, NFL Charities has granted more than $120 million to more than 642 different organizations. NFL Charities primary funding categories include: Sports-related medical research and education grants Player foundation grants in support of the philanthropic work of current and former NFL players Financial assistance to former NFL players in need Youth health and fitness initiatives, including educational programs with national partners Supplementing the charitable activities of the 32 NFL clubs

4 Contents Medical Research & Education Grants NFL Player Foundation Grants Youth Health & Fitness Initiatives NFL Youth Education Towns Volunteerism NFL Alumni Support Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year NFL Teacher of the Year Pro Bowl Community Outreach & Grants United Way Partnership Military Engagement & the USO Funding Sources NFL Team Community Initiatives Board of Directors Financials

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6 Medical Research & Education Grants NFL Charities is committed to supporting scientific research that benefits everyone involved in the game of football, competitive sports, and recreational athletics. NFL Charities medical research grants strive to make the game of football and all athletics safer by supporting a broad range of proposals of the highest caliber. With that in mind, $1.5 million is allocated each year for grants in areas including sports injury prevention, innovations in injury treatment, and other related issues that affect the health and performance of athletes. The goal is to conquer some of the many risk factors that exist not only for football players, but for all athletes and citizens with active lifestyles. In 2008, 17 institutions received such grants including the Ohio State University Research Foundation to fund a project focused on core coordination and joint stability; Cincinnati Children s Hospital Medical Center to determine the incidence of subsequent ACL injuries and identify any modifiable factors that predict a re-injury; and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to study the neurological risk-factors and the long-term effects of concussions in the high school athlete, to name a few. NFL Charities is also a founding partner of the Player Care Foundation, which launched a subsidized spinal treatment program for retired players in 2009, making spine specialists available to vested retirees at five exceptional medical centers across the country: Mt. Sinai in New York; Emory University Orthopaedics and Spine Hospital-Atlanta; UCLA Health System in Los Angeles; University of California in San Francisco; and Washington University in St. Louis. Lastly, the Partnership for Clean Competition is a new research collaborative founded by the United States Olympic Committee, United States Anti-Doping Agency, Major League Baseball and the NFL through NFL Charities. This endeavor has a mission to ensure integrity in all sports by supporting anti-doping research. NFL Charities has long supported sports-related medical initiatives and in recent years has awarded more than $13 million towards this important field. Pictured: Dr. Timothy Hewett and staff at the Cincinnati Children s Hospital Medical Center conduct ACL research on a young athlete in the Human Performance Laboratory. 1

7 NFL Player Foundation Grants NFL Charities supports current and former NFL players working to give back to their communities. NFL Charities awards $1 million in grants each year to support the charitable efforts and non-profit organizations of current and alumni NFL players. In 2008, NFL Charities funded 89 player foundations and hosted the first-ever NFL Charities Week in March This was a five-day, five-player foundation check presentation tour that highlighted these organizations and their grants. Players celebrated during NFL Charities Week included Torry and Terrence Holt; Matt Light; Chad Pennington; Tony Richardson; and Jason Witten. Each year, players who submit the most comprehensive grant applications demonstrating extraordinary charitable services are recognized with a Player Impact Grant Award at the maximum level of financial support. Three players were granted impact awards in 2008 and are detailed below Player Impact Awards Derrick Brooks presented a unique situation in For the first time, Impact Grant Awards were made to two outstanding foundations started by one NFL player. The Brooks-DeBartolo Collegiate High School provides high school students a college preparatory curriculum that prepares first-generation college-bound youth for success. This curriculum includes dual enrollment, College Board Advanced Placement courses, as well as community service requirements. Through his time and financial commitments, Derrick demonstrates a strong personal investment in the success of the school. Derrick Brooks Charities, Inc. continues to positively impact the Tampa Bay community with educational opportunities and leadership training for socio-economically challenged youth. Programs such as the Brooks Bunch Scholarship Program and First and Goal, provide mentoring, community service activities, college tours and more. Derrick Brooks Charities recently stepped in to sustain youth programs that were previously administered by the Urban League of Tampa. In total, this organization serves over 700 youth annually. Pictured: Young participants enjoy NFL Charities Week and the Holt Foundation s KidsCan! program.

8 The Holt Foundation is a dynamic organization that provides educational and emotional support for children who have at least one parent who has been diagnosed with cancer. Torry and Terrence Holt were inspired by their personal challenges as kids who lost their mother to cancer in The Holt brothers are tireless in their focus to maintain healthy communication between family members struggling in the battle to survive the disease and provide education and leadership for children who may not comprehend the full scope of their parent s illness during treatments. The Foundation s Bear Essentials and KidsCan! programs provide information, emotional support, and opportunities for expression and hope. Monthly group meetings are led by trained professionals who are experienced in working with cancer patients and their families. The Foundation supports these programs for approximately 300 participants annually in association with children s hospitals in five cities. The 1st and 10 Foundation was created by Chad and Robin Pennington in 2003 as a grant-making organization with a mission to build stronger communities by funding programs and institutions that improve the quality of life throughout West Virginia, Tennessee, New York and south Florida. The organization sponsors large-scale fundraising events to generate grant revenues for community organizations that achieve this mission and has awarded over $500,000 in grants over the past five years. In addition, the popular Share Our Soles events are incorporated into programs run by national community organizations, such as Boys & Girls Clubs. The other foundations that were highlighted for their excellence during NFL Charities Week included Matt Light s The Light Foundation, which provides in-school financial literacy programs as well as outdoor and leadership adventures for young people; Tony Richardson s Rich In Spirit Foundation, which focuses on literacy and education among school-aged youth; and Jason Witten s S.C.O.R.E Foundation, which funds learning programs for youth while serving as a grant maker for community programs that need financial backing in order to survive. 3

9 Youth Health & Fitness Initiatives NFL Charities promotes the physical health and well-being of our most valuable asset America s youth. A rise in obesity rates among today s youth as well as the decline of physical education programs in schools across the country have prompted the NFL to take a leadership role in the movement to get youngsters physically fit. NFL Charities launched NFL Play 60 which went on to become a league-wide youth health and fitness campaign in focusing on increasing the health of young fans by encouraging them to be active for at least 60 minutes a day. NFL Play 60 brings together the NFL s long-standing commitment to health and fitness with an impressive roster of national partners, all working to make the next generation active and healthy. In addition to its national reach through PSAs and online programs, NFL Play 60 is also implemented at the grassroots level through the NFL s in-school, after-school and team-based programs such as the NFL Play 60 Challenge. Since this youth health and fitness campaign launched, NFL Charities has helped NFL teams build more than 50 Youth Fitness Zones in their communities, providing new places for kids to be active. Most fitness zone projects are part of the NFL s annual Hometown Huddle, a league-wide day of service in partnership with the United Way. NFL Play 60 also comes to life in prominent ways during the NFL s signature calendar events throughout the year, which include the NFL Draft, Kickoff, Thanksgiving, Super Bowl and Pro Bowl. In conjunction with the 2009 NFL Draft, a two-day Youth Football Festival was held in New York City s Central Park. The event brought current and retired NFL players as well as the top NFL draft prospects to the playing field with 1,000 New York City students to teach the importance of being active and living a healthy lifestyle. Pictured: Play60 Football Festival games at Kapi olani Park in Honolulu during Pro Bowl 2009.

10 The NFL Play 60 Challenge is one of the feature programs within the NFL Play 60 campaign. Developed in 2006 by NFL Charities and the American Heart Association and formerly known as What Moves U, this school-based program was designed to promote physical activity and healthy environments for youth, both in school and at home. Unique to physical fitness programs for students, the NFL Play 60 Challenge helps teachers of various academic disciplines find ways to integrate physical activity into existing academic lesson plans. More than 25,000 middle schools nationwide received the first edition of the program in 2006 and In 2008, The Challenge launched in all 32 team markets and for six weeks challenged teachers and students to work together to get 60 minutes of activity each day. While the Challenge itself lasts only six weeks, the goal is to help schools create an active and healthy lifestyle for kids that will last throughout the year, and beyond. A national public awareness campaign, including television, radio and print PSAs has been a part of this campaign since its inception. NFL Play 60 Challenge incorporates several key elements: a Teacher s Guide created to teach educators how to incorporate short physical activity breaks into the school day; Student Game Planners, so kids can track their own progress; program-specific resources and promotional materials to build healthy environments; an interactive fitness-focused website for children and educators; and community outreach events coordinated by NFL teams and American Heart Association affiliates. As part of Super Bowl XLIII and in support of the NFL PLAY 60 campaign, members of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visited Dr. John Long Middle School in Wesley Chapel, Florida, for a special NFL Play 60 Challenge fitness activity during Super Bowl week. The lucky sixth graders at Dr. John Long Middle School were only a portion of the more than 5,000 Tampa Bay students who participated in the NFL PLAY 60 Challenge in the months leading up to Super Bowl week. 5

11 NFL Youth Education Towns Leaving a lasting legacy for youth with every Super Bowl. NFL Youth Education Towns (NFL YETs) are education enrichment centers that serve as legacies in the host cities of each Super Bowl. The NFL donates a $1 million Super Bowl Legacy Grant toward the establishment of an NFL YET in an underserved area of that city through NFL Charities. The Super Bowl host committee collaborates on the project by working to gain local public and private support in order to meet the $1 million in match funding required by the investment. The NFL also requires each host committee to establish a non-profit entity with a 10-year operating and fundraising plan for the NFL YET in order to ensure that each site remains viable in the community and serving its youth long after the Super Bowl has been played. A precedent was set in 2006 when the Super Bowl returned to a city that was already home to an NFL YET. In these cases, the NFL reinvests the $1 million contribution along with the $1 million match of the host committee into the existing location. This was the case when Super Bowl XLIII came to Tampa Bay in 2009, where two NFL YETs operate from previous Super Bowl visits. The NFL s $1 million funded a number of capital improvements at both locations, including new signage, a multimedia technology center, a football field and a fitness trail. Presently, there are 13 NFL YETs in 11 cities: Atlanta, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Houston (2), Jacksonville, Los Angeles, Miami, New Orleans, Phoenix, and Tampa (2). The 13th NFL YET opened in Honolulu in early This special NFL YET is the only one that is not associated with a Super Bowl. This NFL YET will serve as a legacy to the Hawaiian youth in honor of the longstanding Pro Bowl host community relationship. This state-of-the-art, multipurpose facility is the first LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified green building in Hawaii and opened with tremendous community and civic support. Pictured: Taken at Super Bowl XLIII, LB LaMarr Woodley of the AFC Champion Pittsburgh Steelers, poses for a photo with youth from the multimedia program at the Tampa NFL YET.

12 Each year NFL Charities allocates $500,000 toward NFL-identified programming at the NFL YETs. These funds have recently been directed to the installation and integration of the NFL Play Action Training Systems (powered by HOPSports) and fitness events in conjunction with NFL teams in YET cities in order to extend the fitness goals of NFL Play 60 into the afterschool environment; YET-to-YET national collaboration initiatives among all NFL YETs have helped to create fresh youth-generated marketing materials for each location; flag football tournaments across the country; and the Learn Across America school-based curriculum. NFL YET facilities and programs vary, as do the number of children that they serve, but most include interactive fitness equipment, classrooms, technology and multimedia labs, physical fitness zones, recreation fields and other resources. In some locations, NFL YETs offer full-day school programs, as well as after-school services. In 2003, the NFL enlisted the support of Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA) to manage the initiative and work hand-in-hand with local NFL YETs to ensure that each location offered programs and services that most effectively met the needs of the communities they served through educational enhancement, technical training, life-skills development and recreational opportunities. In the world of youth service delivery, BGCA presents the highest operational standard and programmatic delivery to youth with excellent systems of measurement and technical support. NFL Charities is proud to work closely with this partner, especially as we endeavor into preparations to launch two new NFL YETs in Arlington, Texas, and Indianapolis, Indiana, with Super Bowls XLV and XLVI. The mission of the NFL YET initiative is to enrich the connections between children, staff, volunteers and the diverse communities they serve. Now more than ever, functioning as one family with clarity in its message and mission and an expanding national footprint, NFL Youth Education Towns are truly united and committed to making a positive and lasting difference in the lives of children. 7

13 Volunteerism Players and fans committed to their local communities help build a promising tomorrow. NFL Tuesdays is a program that raises awareness for volunteerism and the charitable activities of NFL players who give back to the community during their time away from the playing field. Tuesday is the traditional day off for players during the season, and on any given Tuesday, NFL players can be found working in soup kitchens, reading with elementary school children, coaching at middle and high school football clinics, and building playgrounds. Hometown Huddle is an NFL-wide day of service in partnership with United Way that is held annually on a Tuesday in October and features significant involvement by NFL players, coaches, staff, and wives who participate in a variety of community service activities. In recent years, these contributions have included building homes for low-income families, serving food to the homeless and visiting local military bases. Since 2007, the NFL has placed a focus on youth health and fitness into Hometown Huddle by encouraging teams to use this day of service to build new places for youth to be active. This Youth Fitness Zone initiative takes many shapes and sizes: playgrounds, gymnasium refurbishments, activity trails, and interactive fitness technology installations are among the more than 50 projects that have taken place since the national launch two years ago. NFL Charities and the NFL clubs will continue to develop Youth Fitness Zones as part of Hometown Huddle throughout NFL Charities continues to award funding to clubs that honor community volunteers who demonstrate exceptional dedication to their communities. These initiatives include the Community Quarterback and Student All-Star Awards, in which monetary donations are made in the award winner s name. Pictured: Members of the New York Giants put the finishing touches on a playground at the Vincente K. Tibbs Center in Englewood, NJ, as part of Hometown Huddle 2008.

14 NFL Alumni Support Caring for those who helped build the game and lay the foundation for success and glory. NFL Charities continues its NFL Alliance partnership with the NFL Players Association, NFL Retired Players Association and the Pro Football Hall of Fame to further support retired players. For its part, NFL Charities granted another $1.5 million to the Player Care Foundation in This important collaboration provides nationally-coordinated medical support for former players in need. This non-profit partnership effectively streamlines the process for retired players who are vested in their pension plans to receive disability benefits and provides greater assistance for those who may be eligible to receive joint replacement surgeries free of charge at one of 14 partnered medical centers across the country. This coordinated care program includes financial assistance to all players to cover the cost of necessary, football-related surgeries. NFL Charities supports former professional football players in other ways. One-quarter of the onfield fine money collected from players and coaches is contributed to the NFL Players Association s Player Assistance Trust (PAT) each year. In 2008, nearly $827,000 was donated by NFL Charities to the Players Assistance Trust to support retired players who have fallen on hard times. Through the Alliance, the Player Care Foundation, the PAT and its annual investments in spinal, concussion and joint research, NFL Charities continues to assist the NFL in supporting initiatives that are important to former players. Pictured: The late, great #15 QB for the Buffalo Bills, Jack Kemp, who was a charter member of the NFL Charities board. 9

15 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year This award recognizes excellence both on and off the field. There is no greater distinction an NFL player can achieve. Each year the prestigious Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award is given by the NFL and is administered by NFL Charities. It is unique among NFL honors because it is the only award that recognizes a player for outstanding community service activities as well as excellence on the field. Established in 1970, it was renamed in 1999 after the late Chicago Bears running back Walter Payton. Payton was widely considered to have represented the very best of the NFL as an athlete on the field and as a role-model off the field. Recent winners include Jason Taylor, Drew Brees and LaDainian Tomlinson. Past winners include many of the league s greatest players and Pro Football Hall of Famers. The three finalists for this prestigious award in 2008 included: C Matt Birks of the Minnesota Vikings, FS Brian Dawkins of the Philadelphia Eagles, and QB Kurt Warner of the Arizona Cardinals, one of the teams competing for the Super Bowl XLIII title in Tampa. Kurt Warner was named the national winner and was presented the trophy by Commissioner Goodell and Connie Payton in an on-field ceremony prior to kickoff of Super Bowl XLIII. For all of his on-field accomplishments, including a Super Bowl XXXIV win, two NFL Most Valuable Player awards and four Pro Bowl selections, Warner s community work remains his biggest source of pride. He created a partnership with Habitat for Humanity to sponsor home builds throughout the flood-ravaged Midwest in 2008 and to date has raised over $650,000 for that cause; he established the First Things First Foundation in 2001 and has personally contributed over $1.5 million to fund Make-A-Wish, home builds, and football clinics with Special Olympians. Of all the awards given to NFL athletes, the Walter Payton Man of the Year is the one that stands above the rest to me because of what it represents, stated Warner at the ceremony. Pictured: Arizona Cardinals QB Kurt Warner receiving the 2008 Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year award at Super Bowl XLIII.

16 NFL Teacher of the Year Honoring educators who made a lasting impact on the personal development of NFL players. The National Football League created the NFL Teacher of the Year award in 1990 to honor outstanding teachers who inspired the educational and leadership skills of NFL players. Players from each of the NFL s 32 teams submit essays to nominate teachers who inspired them to pursue excellence in their lives. NFL Charities facilitates this program in conjunction with a panel of educators and civic leaders who select the winning teacher from among the pool of nomination essays each year. Panelists include: Commissioner Roger Goodell; former Commissioner Paul Tagliabue; Congressman Gary Ackerman; Congressman Michael Honda; Antonia Cortese of the American Federation of Teachers; former USOC president, Dr. Leroy Walker; and former NFL player and current teacher, Randall McDaniel. The winning teacher is awarded a cash prize and a trip to the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl as a guest of the NFL. NFL Charities also makes a grant to his or her school. In his winning nomination essay, Brian Waters of the Kansas City Chiefs wrote, I had heard of George Solis before I took Spanish. He migrated from Mexico and split his time at Waxahachie High School in Texas and in the cotton fields His unwavering support and confident candor taught me and countless others about more than just Spanish. He taught us to give our all and how to be successful. Most importantly, he taught us how to accept the consequences of our actions. George Solis has been a teacher for 40 years and now serves as a popular substitute teacher. His focus on accountability and community left a lasting impression on Waters, who works with Solis each summer to host football camps for Waxahachie youth. Waters surprised Solis with news of the award during an assembly at Waxahachie High School s eponymous George Solis Gymnasium. He then had the privilege of officially presenting Mr. Solis with the Teacher of the Year Trophy during an on-field ceremony before the start of the AFC/NFC Pro Bowl. Pictured: George Solis, 2008 NFL Teacher of the Year 11

17 Pro Bowl Community Outreach & Grants Supporting our all-star host community in Hawaii. The NFL s all-star game was played in Honolulu from 1980 through 2009 and will return again in 2011 and With each AFC / NFC Pro Bowl visit to the Hawaiian community, the NFL strengthens its commitment to the people of Hawaii, even though no NFL team plays in the state. In 2009, the only non-super Bowl-related NFL Youth Education Town opened on the Leeward coast of Honolulu, and will serve the children and families of our Pro Bowl hosts for years to come. NFL Charities allocates $100,000 in grants each year to Hawaiian non-profit organizations in celebration of this long-standing Pro Bowl relationship. Though this game will be played in Florida, one week prior to Super Bowl XLIV, for the first time in 31 years, the 2009 community grant allocations will be made, as always, to organizations in Hawaii that focus on youth health and education programs. In 2008, there were 28 grant recipients, including Kaho omiki - Hawaii s Council on Physical Activity and Sports, which works to improve quality of life issues for Hawaiians through the promotion of physical fitness; the Hawaii Children s Cancer Foundation, which assists and advocates for the ongoing needs of long-term survivors of childhood cancer; and KAMP Hawaii - Kids At-Risk Mentoring Program (KAMP) Hawaii, which provides programs for at-risk youth in conjunction with 62 schools on Oahu. When the Pro Bowl comes to town, the NFL conducts a series of community outreach programs, including NFL Play 60 festivals in schools and parks and player visits to hospitals and military bases. NFL Charities also hosts a group of kids and their families for the Make-A-Wish Foundation at a private Pro Bowl practice and a dedicated autograph session among NFL players.

18 United Way Partnership The most visible and longest-running public service partnership of its kind. The season marks the 36th anniversary of the longest running public service campaign partnership in the sports industry. Since 1973, the National Football League and United Way have worked together to promote the importance of volunteering in local communities while showcasing the community service activities of NFL players. In doing so, the NFL and United Way have changed the landscape of corporate/non-profit community partnerships. In addition to working with United Way to promote NFL PLAY 60, the NFL s signature initiative that encourages young people to be physically active for at least 60 minutes a day, the league also partners on the LIVE UNITED campaign throughout the season. NFL LIVE UNITED launched last year and inspires the public to join the movement to advance education, health, and productivity. The NFL-LIVE UNITED initiative features one player from each club in an out-of-home advertising campaign that includes billboards, signs at bus and phone depots, print and online ads and a national television PSA featuring San Diego Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson. In July of 2009, Commissioner Roger Goodell, along with Seahawks CEO Todd Lewieke and head coach Jim Mora, joined a group of experienced mountaineers to ascend Mount Rainier s 14,411-foot peak and in doing so raised more than $300,000 for the United Way of King County. Leiweke organized the event dubbed the Climb for the Community. Goodell cited the undertaking as the most difficult physical, emotional and probably mental challenge of his life as well as an incredible experience. This undertaking also served to reinforce the NFL s Play 60 message about the importance of regular physical activity. Pictured: Saints players host a Live United football clinic in

19 Military Engagement & the USO The NFL s proud partnership with the USO celebrates its fifth decade. Both organizations support our nation s troops, who sacrifice for our freedom. In 1966, the NFL teamed with the USO to become the first sports organization to send players on goodwill tours to Vietnam and other parts of Asia to support America s troops. Over the past four decades, many NFL stars have visited troops on NFL-USO tours in Afghanistan, Bosnia, Iraq, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, and Somalia. In 2008 Commissioner Roger Goodell, quarterback Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints and defensive end Osi Umenyiora traveled on a USO trip to Iraq and Afghanistan and in March of 2009, Vikings defensive end Jared Allen, Giants linebacker Danny Clark, Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald and Rams linebacker Will Witherspoon visited U.S. troops in Kuwait and Iraq. Over the 2009 Fourth of July weekend, a new tradition began when five NFL coaches embarked on the first annual NFL-USO Coaches Tour - a four-day visit with U.S. troops overseas. The tour included three current and two former NFL coaches: New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin, Tennessee Titans head coach Jeff Fisher, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh, retired Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Bill Cowher, and former Oakland Raiders and Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Jon Gruden. Harbaugh, a rookie coach last season, summed up the trip by noting: It was not just life-changing. It was life-affirming. With every Pro Bowl, Super Bowl and throughout the NFL season, players and their teams can be found visiting military bases to run football clinics, watching games with the troops and their families or simply saying Thank you. Pictured: While touring Iraq, Jared Allen, Larry Fitzgerald, Will Witherspoon and Danny Clark posed for a photo with a group of troops stationed at a base in Al Asad. USO photo by Dave Gatley.

20 Funding Sources Focusing resources to accomplish more. The NFL s 32 clubs serve as the primary funding source for NFL Charities, directing $8 million of the league s national revenue each season into NFL Charities in order to fund philanthropic projects nationwide. NFL Auction is the league s online merchandise outlet that allows fans to place bids on autographed NFL memorabilia. All proceeds from NFL Auction go to the charitable initiatives of the NFL and its 32 clubs. In 2008, NFL Auction generated over $1.65 million in total revenues toward charitable donations and community-based initiatives. It is through the sale of this merchandise that NFL Charities is able to designate its NFL Auction grantees each fiscal year. In accordance with the league s areas of interest, NFL Charities list of grantees in 2008 included: Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the American Cancer Society, United Way, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and KaBoom! In addition, NFL Charities has traditionally donated funds to charitable causes from revenues generated by annual on-field disciplinary fines of players and coaches. On-field fine money has netted over $2 million per year for charity in each of the past four years. Each year, one-quarter of the fine money received by NFL Charities is donated to support former players in need through the NFL Player Association s Players Assistance Trust (PAT). In the last fiscal year, that amount totaled more than $827,000. Other organizations that receive funds through NFL Charities from the player fine pool include the Partnership for Clean Competition, the Brian Piccolo Memorial Fund and the Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Care Center. Each year celebrity golf and bowling tournaments are hosted in conjunction with the Super Bowl, with all proceeds going to NFL Charities. In 2008, TicketMaster held a special contest prior to Super Bowl XLIII that raised funds donated entirely to NFL Charities. Pictured: Student with CB Nick Harper of the Tennessee Titans at the Youth Life Foundation of Tennessee s 2009 Golf Classic. 15

21 NFL Team Community Initiatives Every NFL team is dedicated to its community and helping those in need. NFL Charities supports the community initiatives of the 32 NFL clubs by providing a total of $1.5 million in team program grants each year. These funds support the league s national initiatives with local implementations in team markets. In support of the NFL s movement for an active generation, NFL team program grants generally focus on youth health and fitness initiatives across the country. Pictured: Minnesota Vikings RB Adrian Peterson frequently visits schools and other community organizations with his team to promote NFL Play 60.

22 ARIZONA CARDINALS The Cardinals PLAY WITH THE PROS program is designed to uplift and motivate youth using today s newest video games. This incentive-based program helps teachers motivate their students. It rewards children with the opportunity to compete against a Cardinals player in a multitude of video games as other children cheer them on. The program will also be implemented in hospitals for children in need of encouragement. Founded in 1990, CARDINALS CHARITIES supports programs designed to improve the quality of life and enhance opportunities for children, women, and minorities in the state of Arizona. Since its inception, Cardinals Charities has distributed more than $3.5 million dollars to over 250 worthy Arizona charitable organizations on behalf of the Arizona Cardinals and the National Football League. The Cardinals have teamed up with their local American Heart Association chapter to promote healthy lifestyles among Arizona youth through the WHAT MOVES U program. In order to fight against childhood obesity in youths aged 9-13, every middle school in the state of Arizona received an Activation Kit that included a curriculum infusing physical activity into daily lesson plans. The Cardinals are active participants in Arizona s high school football landscape by providing programs that include: Player of the Week, Coach of the Week and the annual free high school skills and kicking camp. With representation from New Mexico, Nevada, Utah and Colorado, the 2009 skills and kicking camps hosted over 750 athletes. ATLANTA FALCONS In 2008, more than 16,000 students from elementary and middle schools and youth organizations throughout Georgia participated in the FALCONS FIRST DOWN FOR FITNESS PROGRAM. In conjunction with the NFL s Play 60 initiative, the Falcons First Down for Fitness program encourages students to participate in physical activity for 60 minutes a day, 5 days a week for 8 weeks. The Atlanta Falcons Community Quarterback Award honors five individuals who are committed to improving their community through volunteerism. Winners are selected by a panel of civic leaders and honored during an on-field presentation. The 2008 winners were: Nick Goodly from the Warren-Holyfield Boys and Girls Club; Sylvia Campbell from Crossroads Community Ministries; Wayne Johnson of Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Georgia, Inc.; Dana Clark from A Friend s House, Inc.; and John Willis of HomeAid Atlanta. Additionally, a $2,000 grant was awarded to each organization. For the 2008 Hometown Huddle celebration, the entire Falcons roster and several Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders made surprise appearances at 12 locations around downtown and the metro Atlanta area. Six appearances took place at United Way affiliated schools, where players and cheerleaders delivered new sports equipment and participated in physical fitness activities. The remaining six appearances occurred at heavily visited public venues. BALTIMORE RAVENS The RAVENS ALL COMMUNITY TEAM FOUNDATION is committed to improving and encouraging the healthy development of youth in the greater Baltimore area. The foundation focuses on programs that help youth and families with needs that include housing, hunger, education, athletics, and mentoring. Recent projects include the renovation of two Baltimore City high school stadiums and the Plan in Motion project, which grants $100,000 to nonprofits who encourage physical fitness and nutritional education among youth. The RAVENS HONOR ROWS PROGRAM, presented by M&T Bank, salutes youth groups who provide outstanding volunteer service to communities. The winning groups receive up to 100 tickets to a game, t-shirts, recognition on the SMARTVISION screens, and a featured public service announcement during Ravens home games. Honorees are selected by a panel of service leaders with the assistance of the Governor s Office on Service and Volunteerism, the Ravens, and M&T Bank staff. Funded by NFL Charities, the RAVENS COMMUNITY QUARTERBACK AWARDS recognize volunteers who demonstrate leadership, dedication, and a commitment to bettering their communities. In 2008, three individuals were honored and awarded Ravens game tickets, a gift bag complete with apparel, an autographed football, a personalized jersey and a commemorative plaque. Winners received a $2,500 check for their respective nonprofit organization and recognition in a pre-game ceremony. Due to the overwhelming response to this program, the team chose six additional individuals to receive a $1,000 grant for their respective nonprofits.

23 BUFFALO BILLS For nine years the BUFFALO BILLS TOYOTA ROOKIE CLUB has been making appearances and hosting community events throughout Western New York. The program gives the team s newest players a chance to get to know their community by giving back in a variety of ways including visits to Children s Hospital, NFL Play 60 youth health and fitness events, and Holiday programs. Responding to the continuing decline of physical education programs in schools and the lack of physical activity among today s youth, the Bills teamed up with BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York and the American Heart Association to offer the WHAT MOVES U CHALLENGE to youngsters. The program encourages activity for at least 60 minutes each day by promoting physical fitness and healthy living through in-school programs and a public awareness campaign. The What Moves U Challenge is offered primarily to 3rd-6th grade Buffalo Public School students, as well as elementary and middle school students throughout Western New York. For the third season in a row, The Buffalo Bills partnered with Kaleida Health, the Western New York Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, and Zeta Tau Alpha to coordinate the BILLIEVE - BREAST CANCER AWARENESS program. The program runs throughout the season and includes pre-home game activities such as a pink ribbon distribution at entrance gates, breast cancer survivors on the field forming Stampede row, and the presentation of a special pink game football. In addition, the Bills designed exclusive items such as pink tees, hats, knit caps and Billieve logo mini-helmets that were available during the season, with $5.00 from every sale going to their Susan G. Komen Affiliate. CAROLINA PANTHERS The PANTHERS FIT SQUAD youth fitness initiative is dedicated to health, fitness and fun for elementary school-aged children around the Carolinas. Thousands of classrooms in North and South Carolina participate in the program, which supports the NFL s Play 60 initiative and is designed to get children motivated about proper fitness through fun and creative activities. YOUTH FOOTBALL is a cornerstone of the Panthers outreach programming. The team is committed to growing youth football participation at the grassroots level through a wide variety of team and NFL-based initiatives that serve communities throughout the Carolinas. The Panthers helped launch CLASSROOM CENTRAL in 2002, a non-profit retail store that allows teachers in the Charlotte metro area to shop for school supplies free of charge. The store serves over 6,000 teachers in Charlotte and surrounding school districts and has donated over $12 million in school supplies to teachers and students at resource-challenged schools. The team s successful CHARACTER EDUCATION program serves tens of thousands of students in North and South Carolina by providing support to existing character education curriculums. The program is anchored by an annual Character All-Star luncheon in which top students are recognized for exhibiting exemplary character. CHICAGO BEARS The Chicago Bears Football Club is dedicated to making a difference in the community that has supported Bears football since Each year, the Bears organization inspires positive change and enriches the lives of others through outreach programs, initiatives and partnerships. We are proud to give back to the community that has supported us since Through various programs and events, Bears players make an impact in schools, hospitals, youth agencies, youth football programs and community organizations throughout Chicagoland. During the school year, Bears players encouraged over 13,000 children to read through their participation in the TALES TO TACKLE reading incentive program. Bears staff, coaches and players had the opportunity to grant holiday wishes for more than 500 people by purchasing gifts and hosting a holiday party as part of the BEARS HOLIDAY GIVING INITIATIVE. Designed to help tackle childhood obesity, the Chicago Bears focused on spreading the NFL s PLAY 60 message to Chicago area schools through the WHAT MOVES U fitness program. THE CHICAGO BEARS YOUTH FOOTBALL CAMPS, the official youth camps of the Chicago Bears, provide age appropriate skill lessons through station-based training for kids between the ages of 6 and 14. Young Bears fans can stay current on Bears youth information by visiting the KID ZONE page of ChicagoBears.com. BEARS CARE, the charitable beneficiary of the Chicago Bears, distributed over $1.4 million in grants in 2008 to qualifying organizations.

24 Cincinnati Bengals HOMETOWN HUDDLE: On a Tuesday (an off day for NFL players) in October, Bengals players form a delegation including staff and recruited volunteers to accomplish a major project. In 2008, 41 Bengals players and the Marvin Lewis Community Foundation worked in collaboration with the United Way and more than 30 area companies to construct a playground and basketball court at College Hill Park in Cincinnati. The goal was to enrich the lives of youth, while promoting volunteerism and revitalization for the park. BENGALS TASTE OF THE NFL has been held each year since 2003 and brings together players, coaches and alumni with benefactors of the FreeStore/FoodBank (FS/FB) of Cincinnati to dine on samples from Cincinnati s finest restaurants. Annually, the event raises more than $60,000, enabling FS/FB to provide more than 300,000 meals to hungry people each year. In 2008, this event raised more than $173,000 an all time high. Every year Bengals players, alumni, cheerleaders and staff help the HOXWORTH BLOOD CENTER collect donations at Paul Brown Stadium before the busy holiday season. The Bengals-led drives have been the largest of their kind in the history of the Hoxworth Blood Center and in 2008, the 7th Annual Bengals Hoxworth Blood Drive was once again a success, collecting 636 units. Each unit of blood collected can save up to three lives; therefore, we can safely say that the 2008 Blood Drive will help save 1,908 lives in the Tri-State. As an added benefit, nearly 60 individuals registered with the National Marrow Donor Program. Cleveland Browns The Cleveland Browns Foundation is dedicated to supporting local non-profit organizations by funding education, health, wellness, neighborhood enhancement and youth football programs. Focusing on kids, health and wellness has been at the forefront of the Browns outreach efforts and continues to grow as the Browns bring innovative programming into neighborhoods. Whether special invites go out to local kids with disabilities, or volunteers join for a community project, the off the field efforts of the Browns center on community service and making a difference in the lives of children. In less than a year, the Browns installed two Fitness Zones and broke ground on an extensive football field refurbishment project at a local community center. During that time, the Browns Vision First program provided nearly 6000 free eye exams for kids in the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, and when kids needed prescription eye glasses, the Browns Foundation provided them free. Another signature Browns program tailored specifically towards kids with disabilities is Browns Kids. Throughout the year, unique programming is offered in conjunction with local organizations providing VIP treatment on Game Day and at events in order to create a once in a lifetime opportunity for kids and their families. Looking toward the future, the team s players, coaches, executives and staff members will continue to donate significant time and funding to support charities. DALLAS COWBOYS The Jones family s dynamic association with The Salvation Army is a visible example of the creative and innovative manner in which the Cowboys make a difference in the world. In what has become an American holiday tradition, the Jones family has dedicated the annual Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Day game halftime show to officially launch THE SALVATION ARMY RED KETTLE CHRISTMAS CAMPAIGN during a nationally televised live broadcast. Over the past 12 years the Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign has raised more than $1 billion dollars since the halftime show partnership with the Cowboys began. This halftime event has welcomed nationally renowned entertainers including: the Jonas Brothers, Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, Sheryl Crow, Destiny s Child, Toby Keith, LeAnn Rimes, Creed, Jessica Simpson, Billy Gillman, Clint Black, Randy Travis and Reba McEntire. The GENE AND JERRY JONES FAMILY CENTER FOR CHILDREN opened in November of 1998 in conjunction with the local Salvation Army. The center offers low-income families affordable childcare that meets standards for quality care and intellectual development. The Cowboys are very active in raising a large portion of the annual funds for the HAPPY HILL FARM ACADEMY AND HOME - a working farm and residential school that serves as a safe haven for abused and neglected children. The Cowboys Family Cookbook and the team s Kickoff Luncheon raise over $200,000 annually, serving as the major revenue producers for the academy which is also home to the Dallas Cowboys Ed Block Courage House.

25 DENVER BRONCOS The Denver Broncos strive to improve the lives of Coloradans through youth, health, hunger and homeless relief initiatives. The Denver Broncos have funded the operating budget of the DENVER BRONCOS BOYS & GIRLS CLUB in Montbello, Colorado since August of The Broncos have committed to integrating community programs and bringing players to visit the Club, building upon a legacy of investment that transcends monetary contribution. The Club s inaugural year brought its membership to capacity, reaching over 1,400 and an average nightly attendance of over 200 kids. As the Broncos flagship youth initiative, the Darrent Williams Memorial Teen Center was added to expand capacity to serve more youth in May Additionally, the Denver Broncos continue an important collaboration with the DENVER RESCUE MISSION CROSSING FACILITY for homeless families in transition. The partnership includes a Broncos Youth Center, complete with a Broncos Reading Corner, literacy programming, computers, recreational equipment and housing support. Broncos cornerback Champ Bailey is an ardent supporter who spends time with the children of The Crossing. The Denver Broncos are thrilled to partner with Denver Public Schools, the NFL Youth Football Fund and NFL Charities on the inaugural season of Futures Football, the first coed tackle football program for middle school students in the district. This initiative encouraged over 900 kids to try out and is one of the Broncos primary collaborations under the NFL Play 60 umbrella. The spring season culminated with the Futures Championships at All City Field in Denver, refurbished through an NFL LISC Field grant in May DETROIT LIONS The Detroit Lions recognize their responsibility to put a good product on the field each Sunday as well as their duty to serve others off the field and the need to give back. DETROIT LIONS CHARITIES (DLC) was established in 1990 to assist all age groups in a diverse range of needs and programs in Michigan, with a particular emphasis placed on programs that benefit the children and youth of Detroit. During the season, DLC awarded 87 grants totaling nearly $400,000 to non-profit agencies, raising the total amount contributed to $5.2 million over the course of its 19-year history. The DETROIT LIONS COURAGE HOUSE benefits HAVEN, Oakland County s (Michigan) premier center for the prevention and treatment of domestic violence, sexual assault and child abuse. Proceeds from an annual banquet hosted by the Lions target the center s child abuse prevention and treatment programs. Previous banquets have raised approximately $1.5 million for HAVEN. The DETROIT LIONS ACADEMY, an alternative middle school for sixth, seventh and eighth graders, serves 140 students who have had difficulty succeeding in traditional school settings. The Academy, a Detroit public school, is supported by an annual financial contribution from the Detroit Lions, Costco, Dow Chemical and Ford Motor Company, among others. The Academy also receives visits from Lions players and support from the team in various ways. GREEN BAY PACKERS The Green Bay Packers community involvement takes many forms. The team sponsors special fundraising events, makes donations of cash and memorabilia to many charitable organizations in the region, and team members make personal appearances and serve on various community boards and commissions. The Packers created the GREEN BAY PACKERS FOUNDATION in1986 to give back to the community through a wide variety of activities and programs that benefit education, civic affairs, health services, human services and youth-related programs. This past year, in its annual distribution of funds, the Foundation awarded $156,000 to 64 civic and charitable groups throughout Wisconsin. The PACKERS WOMEN S ASSOCIATION (PWA) members, comprised of the wives/girlfriends of Packers players, coaches, and staff, as well as full-time female Packers employees, team up with the community by sharing their time, talents, and resources. PWA, which is an arm of the Green Bay Packers organization, is a non-profit organization whose main focus is to support the community through various outreach programs, such as food drives, breast cancer fundraisers, and mentoring programs. Each year, the Green Bay Packers recognize outstanding volunteers within the state of Wisconsin through the Green Bay Packers COMMUNITY QUARTERBACK AWARD. Non-profit organizations are invited to nominate outstanding individuals who demonstrate leadership, dedication, and a commitment to bettering their communities through volunteerism.