Heisman Trophy Youth Development Fund

Heisman Trophy Youth Development Fund is sponsored by Heisman Trophy Trust, administered by The New York Community Trust. This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

The Heisman Trophy Trust - The New York Community Trust Heisman Trophy Youth Development Fund Academics + Athletics = Success The Long Island organization i-tri uses Heisman funding to bring its triathlon program to more young people. youth-serving programs supported across seven U.S. cities The Heisman Trophy Trust launched the Heisman Trophy Youth Development Fund in 2017 in partnership with The New York Community Trust.

Honoring the legacy of the Heisman Trophy, a national symbol of athletic excellence and integrity, the Fund makes sports-based youth development programs widely available to young people .

Rooted in the Heisman values of teamwork, sportsmanship, and excellence, the Fund ensures that all young people, regardless of background or athletic ability, have access to quality sports-based youth development programs that integrate physical activity with academic support and life skills.

Since its creation, the fund has become a nationally recognized model of youth investment, and has expanded to seven locations: New York City; Long Island; Westchester; Newark, New Jersey; Atlanta, Georgia; Dallas, Texas; and Los Angeles, California.

The Fund supports charitable organizations that: Engage young people in academic achievement; Teach leadership, teamwork, sportsmanship, and integrity; Expand access to organized sports for young people up to the age of 18. These sports must be structured, coach-led, and involve formal practice and competition. Examples include basketball, track and field, lacrosse, martial arts, tennis, football, and more.

Programs must also provide at least four hours of academic services per week and prioritize underserved and high-need communities. The Trust administers Heisman Trophy Youth Development grants to organizations in New York City, Long Island, Westchester, and Newark. We operate funds with community foundation partners in Atlanta, Dallas, Jacksonville, and Los Angeles.

In 2025, the Fund awarded over $1. 7 million in grants to 51 groups to support year-round programs for nearly 13,000 young people. These investments have supported: academic coaching in public schools; equitable access to sports such as figure skating, cycling, lacrosse, and track; character development, wellness education, and mentorship.

Grantees include the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Queens, Northern Westchester, and Newark; East Harlem Tutorial Program; Bronx Lacrosse; and Figure Skating in Harlem. The Fund issues an annual call for letters of interest (LOIs). Grants typically range from $20,000 to $40,000 for one year.

We strongly encourage small and emerging nonprofits to apply. Applicants must be 501(c)(3) organizations or work with a fiscal sponsor.

Key application milestones: Spring: Call for Letters of Interest opens End of April: Proposals due May: If the proposal merits further investigation, program director will schedule a meeting with the organization to discuss the project June: Grant recommendations submitted to the Heisman Trust August: Grant letters issued upon approval of the Heisman trustees The Fund prioritizes programs that: integrate academics with youth development and organized sports; have the potential to serve substantial numbers of young people; operate on a minimum of five public school campuses; and serve isolated or underserved communities, for example, Queens or the North Bronx in New York City and all of Newark.

provide general operating support; support selective or exclusionary programs; fund programs that offer only limited academic help, such as homework assistance. Applications begin with an LOI submission via The New York Community Trust’s Grantseeker Portal . For full application instructions and deadlines, visit our grants page .

While best known for awarding the prestigious Heisman Memorial Trophy to the nation’s top college football player, the Heisman Trophy Trust is equally committed to uplifting underserved youth through charitable work. It champions amateur athletics, education, and opportunity, extending the spirit of the Heisman beyond the football field.

Through the Youth Development Fund, the Heisman Trophy Trust invests in a future where every child can thrive—on the field, in the classroom, and beyond. Consultant, Heisman Trophy Youth Development Fund Email: heisman@thenytrust. org Are you seeking support for the following?

Capital and building campaigns General operating support/routine operational expenses Unfortunately, we don’t make grants in these areas. Where will the activities you plan to request support for take place? Only select National or International if your work falls outside of New York City, Long Island, or Westchester.

Select all relevant impact areas to your nonprofit. Details on your impact areas