Via the Philadelphia Eagles
Following an initial $190,000 in grants and a $20,000 donation to MenzFit earlier in the week, the Philadelphia Eagles announced that the Eagles Social Justice Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation has distributed an additional set of grants totaling $275,000 to the following Philadelphia-area non-profit organizations:
- United Way (Supporting Read by 4th in Philadelphia): $45,000
- Camden Alternative Education Programs: $20,000
- Center for Returning Citizens: $20,000
- Frontline Dads: $20,000
- MENTOR: $20,000
- Mothers in Charge: $20,000
- Philadelphia Futures: $20,000
- Philadelphia Youth Network: $20,000
- Steppingstone Scholars: $20,000
- Youth Sentencing & Reentry Project: $20,000
- Why Not Prosper: $15,000
- Big Brothers Big Sisters: $10,000
- Philadelphia Lawyers for Social Equity: $10,000
- Summer Search: $10,000
- Pa Legal Aid Fund: $5,000
Established in 2018, the Eagles Social Justice Fund was formed to provide grants to organizations that work to reduce barriers to equal opportunity, with a specific focus on education, community and police relations, improving the criminal justice system, and other initiatives targeting poverty, racial equality, and workforce development in the Greater Philadelphia area.
“My desire has always been to help create a positive environment for our players to pursue the causes and charities they value,” said Jeffrey Lurie, Philadelphia Eagles Chairman and CEO. “The Eagles Social Justice Fund was established to provide support and critical resources for organizations addressing key social issues in our communities. We are inspired by their transformational work and hope that this funding will help enhance and strengthen their impact on those who need it most.”
The Eagles Social Justice Leadership Council, which is comprised of a small collection of players and club executives, works to identify potential grant recipients and secure contributions to the Eagles Social Justice Fund. The Fund is built through one-to-one matching donations from players and the club. Players on the council include Nelson Agholor, Derek Barnett, Michael Bennett, Malcolm Jenkins, Chris Long and Rodney McLeod.
“As professional athletes, we are fortunate to have a platform like this that enables us to partner with so many organizations committed to life-changing work,” said Rodney McLeod, Philadelphia Eagles safety and member of the Eagles Social Justice Leadership Council. “They are bridging the gaps in our homes and schools, providing jobs for those in need, and tackling important issues within the criminal justice system. On behalf of the players’ council and the Eagles, I would like to congratulate the grant recipients and thank them for their commitment to the City of Philadelphia.”
Once again, the Eagles Social Justice Leadership Council chose to support a continuum of services across the spectrum of social justice issues. This spectrum begins with prevention of youth entering the criminal justice system through education and mentorship, continues with reform to the criminal justice system itself, and concludes with re-entry services aimed at helping formerly incarcerated individuals stay out of the system and re-establish themselves as productive members of the community.
Grants were previously given to Philadelphia Community Bail Fund ($50,000), Philadelphia Opportunities Industrialization Center ($50,000), Police Athletic League of Philadelphia ($50,000), United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey ($40,000) to support reading programs in Camden, NJ, and MenzFit ($20,000). >> CONTINUE READING >>