Contributions are needed for the general fund to provide program support today while endowment funds are needed to ensure our programs have a guaranteed source of funding tomorrow and far into the future. Donations to the general fund are utilized throughout the year to support current programs. An endowment gift is one where the principal donation is maintained in perpetuity and only a portion of the annual investment return is spent. Surplus earnings are reinvested in the endowment so over the years, the fund can grow and provide long-term financial security.
Because The National Football Foundation is a non-profit organization, your gift is tax deductible. We encourage you to contact our development office (972-556-1000) for in-depth information on any aspect of giving.
The long-term viability of our important work rests with you. Our efforts are sustained by the private donations from friends of The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame, Inc.
Unrestricted Gifts
General unrestricted gifts to the Foundation are the greatest need. They provide long-term financial flexibility and enable us to prepare and respond to future needs of the organization.
General Support for the College Football Hall of Fame
The College Football Hall of Fame in South Bend, Indiana serves as the perfect setting for recognizing and honoring the achievements of teams, players, coaches and football's greatest contributors. Seen by over 1,000,000 people, the museum chronicles the history of the game and has become the ultimate attraction for football fans of all ages. With its impressive architecture, historic memorabilia and interactive exhibits, the Hall preserves the rich tradition and unique spirit of amateur football. Funds are needed to maintain and refresh the permanent collection and exhibits so that each visitor's experience is enjoyable and educational.
Play It Smart
Play It Smart is an educational program designed to use sports as a vehicle to foster the personal, social, academic and athletic development of youth. We place Academic Coaches, trained at the NFF Center for Youth Development at Springfield College, in under-served high schools to help students achieve individual, team, academic and career goals. Play It Smart is gaining national visibility for its efforts in bringing greater academic support to football players at high schools. The key to the program is the introduction of the Academic Coach, who specializes in providing ongoing academic support, personal development initiatives and community involvement projects. Beginning in 1998 with four pilot schools, the program's demonstrated success and popularity has led to its expansion to 88 schools.
Local and National Scholarship Program
The Foundation honors athletes not only for their ability as football players, but also for their academic and civic leadership. Our scholarship program is the most extensive in all of sports, granting nearly $1 million each year to college and high school scholar-athletes. NFF local chapters collectively honor over 3,000 high school senior student-athletes for excellence on the field, in the classroom and in the community. In addition, the National Football Foundation awards $18,000 postgraduate scholarships to the top 15 senior college football players in the country covering all collegiate levels.
Campaign for Excellence
In 2010, The National Football Foundation embarked on a Campaign for Excellence, which seeks to raise $10 million during the next four years from inidiviudals, corporations and charitable foundations. The campaign aims to expand the NFF programs that help shape and hone the character of the thousands of young people who play football. Specifically, the funds will be used to:
- • Increase the amount from $18,000 to $25,000 for the postgraduate scholarships provided to the recipients of the NFF National Scholar-Athlete Awards while also doubling the annual number of scholarships given from 15 to 30.
- • Increase the amount given to the winner of the William V. Campbell Trophy, the nation’s top scholar-athlete award, from $25,000 to $35,000.
- • Expand the number of scholar-athletes recognized as members of the NFF Hampshire Honor Society while providing monetary awards to the colleges and universities with the most honorees.
- • Expand the annual reach of the NFF Chapter Network from 4,800 high schools and 400,000 student-athletes to more than 6,000 high schools and 500,000 student-athletes while increasing the amount annually distributed by the chapters from $1 million to $1.5 million. Significant donations have already been made by Intuit and more than a dozen of our country’s top business leaders. Please consider joining the group of select leaders, who have already stepped forward as major contributors to the effort.