The Heisman Trophy Trust, in partnership with The New York Community Trust (The Trust), established the Heisman Trophy Youth Development Fund in 2017 to support nonprofit organizations that combine athletics, academics, and youth development activities. The fund aims to help young people up to age 18 develop social, emotional, ethical, cognitive, and physical skills through integrated programming. This initiative is deeply aligned with fostering engagement in academics, promoting leadership and teamwork, and making organized sports accessible regardless of athletic ability.
The Trust invites Letters of Interest (LOI) from 501(c)(3) nonprofits operating year-round, sports-based youth development programs within the five boroughs of New York City, Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island, Westchester County, and Newark, New Jersey. Organizations may submit only one LOI for programs located in a single municipality. Grants will range between $20,000 and $40,000 for a one-year term.
The fund prioritizes programs capable of scaling to serve large numbers of youth, that are based in disadvantaged communities or operate across at least five public school campuses, and that fully integrate academics with athletics and youth development. Athletics are defined as structured physical activities led by adult or youth coaches with rules, formal practice, and competition (examples include baseball, cycling, football, martial arts, and soccer). Importantly, the Fund will not support general operating costs, selective programs, summer-only programs, or programs limited to basic academic support like homework assistance.
Applicants must submit a three-page narrative and a detailed project budget combined into a single PDF by 5:00 p.m. EST on May 16, 2025, through The Trust’s Grantseeker Portal. If a program lacks an internal evaluation plan, they must work with Hello Insight to track social-emotional development outcomes. Notifications regarding interest will be communicated via email, and applicants may be asked to submit additional information afterward.
Key contacts for questions include Roderick Jenkins (New York City Office), Sol Marie Alfonso-Jones (Long Island Office), and Lauren Perkins (Westchester Office).
