Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) has issued a request for proposals for its NFL Youth Football Fund Grassroots Program in the United States. The NFL Grassroots Program was started by LISC in association with the National Football League Youth Football Fund (NFLYFF). The NFL program is managed by the LISC, which also offers technical assistance for the program. The NFLYFF provides all the financial support for the program.
The NFL Grassroots Program provides grants of up to $200,000 for capital improvement projects.
Organizational Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the NFL Grassroots Program, organizations applying for grant funds must meet all of the criteria listed:
- Be a community-based organization, middle school or high school serving a neighborhood consisting primarily of low- and moderate-income families and individuals. Please note:
- Schools also must demonstrate the ability of the community to also utilize the field;
- Universities and college campuses are not eligible to apply for NFL Grassroots grants and will not be considered for funding.
- Have at least one-full time staff person (all-volunteer organizations will not be considered);
- Be in existence for at least three years;
- Have a proven track record in real estate development and/or parks programming;
- Have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status/school status; and
- Be located in an NFL Target Market
Selection Criteria
Organizations and their projects will be selected for funding based upon the following criteria:
- Feasibility of the proposed project. The project budget must be based upon realistic costs, preferably written contractor’s estimates.
- Project readiness. Sources of funding for the entire budget should be identified. Plans for field renovation should take into account the schedule of recreation activities over the course of the year. A project timeline should be specified in the proposal.
- Impact upon neighborhood and support from the community. Only proposals that locate projects in low- and moderate-income communities will be considered. The proposal should clearly state how the field improvements would benefit the community. It also must clearly detail how many youth and adults make use of the field for football and for other activities.
- Match funding. The NFL Grassroots Program requires a minimum local match of one dollar for every NFL Grassroots Program dollar (1:1). For example, if the proposal requests $200,000 from the NFL Grassroots Program, it must demonstrate sources and commitments for at least $200,000 in local funds.
- Security of future field maintenance and safety. Proposals must have written commitments of maintenance funding for a minimum of five years and a detailed five-year maintenance plan in order to demonstrate that the applicant will maintain the field despite projected wear and tear and potential overuse by youth sports participants.
- Capacity of organization and its partners to carry out project. The applicant organization must demonstrate, through its current management team and previous experience, the ability to manage a project of this size and nature.
Last date for submitting the proposals is December 16, 2011.
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