Parks, schools and community organizations in 16 cities and towns across the U.S. will receive more than $3 million in grants to develop or refurbish neighborhood football fields, thanks to the Grassroots Field Grant Program, supported by the NFL Foundation and Local Initiatives Support Corp. (LISC), a leading community development support organization.
For more than 25 years, the NFL and LISC have partnered to help youth stay active and healthy by creating safe places to play through the development of community football fields. Since the program’s inception, more than $65 million has been distributed to community organizations and schools across the country, resulting in the creation or refurbishment of more than 450 football fields nationwide.
This year’s funding cycle will support new field development or enhancements in Los Angeles; Aurora, Colo.; Pueblo, Colo.; Jacksonville, Fla.; Miami; Indianapolis; Shawnee, Kan.; Saint Paul, Minn,; Irvington, N.J.; Henderson, Nev.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Philadelphia; Central Falls, R.I.; Jasper, Tenn.; Dallas; and Springfield, Va.
The fields in these communities will be newly built or significantly renovated, including improvements such as new irrigation systems, lights, bleachers, scoreboards, goalposts and turf. Grassroots grants are issued once established funding thresholds are reached for each project.
“For more than 25 years, the NFL Foundation and LISC have helped our youth stay healthy and have fun by developing community football fields through the Grassroots Field Grant Program,” said NFL Vice President of Philanthropy and Executive Director of the NFL Foundation Alexia Gallagher. “The NFL is proud to use its platform to support communities nationwide, and we’re excited to continue growing our impact in the years ahead.”
Through the Grassroots Field Grant Program, LISC identifies local nonprofit and community-based organizations interested 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 local agencies oversee the construction, maintenance, and programming of the fields.
“Twenty-eight million kids lack access to safe recreation spaces within a 10-minute walk from home. To create communities where everyone can thrive, it’s crucial that we create safe and well-maintained areas for all children and adults to gather, play, and exercise—regardless of their income level,” said Michael Pugh, president and CEO of LISC. “Our partnership with the NFL Foundation helps to provide low-income communities with the resources and support they need to create and enjoy these vital community-building spaces.”
“These fields are among the building blocks LISC employs to support and strengthen communities throughout the country,” said Beverly Smith, VP LISC Sports & Youth Development. “For more than 25 years, our partnership with the NFL Foundation has resulted in new and improved facilities that are serving generations of neighborhood youth and families.”
The 2025 Grassroots funding cycle will begin on December 15, 2025, and the deadline for proposal submissions is March 30, 2026. Additional details can be found here.