NEW YORK (May 18, 2023) –The NFL today announced that social justice contributions from the NFL Family have surpassed $300 million, all in support of the league’s Inspire Change initiative. This milestone comes as 15 grant partnerships were renewed by the NFL and the Players Coalition to drive further progress in police-community relations, criminal justice reform, education, and economic advancement.
“Players Coalition and the NFL have collaborated over the past five years through Inspire Change grants to help drive direct impact by supporting organizations at the frontlines of social justice and racial equity work,” said Anquan Boldin, co-founder of Players Coalition. “While the work is far from over, we look forward to advancing aligned partnerships with grant recipients and building on our continued partnership with the NFL to address priority social justice issues.”
“The NFL Family is proud to have contributed more than $300 million to support social justice efforts in communities across the country, but our work is far from over,” said Anna Isaacson, NFL Senior Vice President, Social Responsibility. “The positive impact of this work is being felt every day, and we are committed to continuing our efforts with players, clubs, and our Inspire Change grant partners to break down barriers to opportunity and end systemic racism.”
Alabama Appleseed Center for Law and Justice is one organization that’s using funds from their Inspire Change grant to make a difference – helping to free 13 over-sentenced individuals, like Lee Davis Jr., from the prison system. To see the impact that Inspire Change has had on organizations like Alabama Appleseed, watch the video HERE.
“There was no reason for the NFL to care about what was happening in Alabama except that they legitimately wanted to help solve problems,” said Carla Crowder, Executive Director of Alabama Appleseed. “The NFL gave us not only resources to hire more people, but a national platform to lift up the crisis around prisons, excessive punishment, and the human rights of incarcerated Alabamians.”
The 15 renewed grants were recently approved by the Player-Owner Social Justice Committee, 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.
