Detroit Lions Touchdown in Your Town Program

The Detroit Lions Touchdown in Your Town program is a philanthropic initiative by the Detroit Lions Foundation designed to support Michigan high school football and cheer (spirit) programs demonstrating financial or material need. Now in its eighth year, the program focuses on providing critical resources to under-resourced athletic departments across Michigan. The support offered includes essential football gear such as helmets, uniforms, and practice equipment, as well as resources for cheerleading teams, including uniforms, warm-ups, poms, and support for attending camps or competitions. This annual initiative specifically targets public high schools in Michigan with active football and/or cheer programs. Eligibility is confined to those that have not received assistance through this program in previous years. Priority is given to programs that provide a compelling narrative of their needs and the expected impact of the grant support on their student-athletes and broader school community. Each school may submit one application, and it must be completed by someone affiliated with the program—such as a coach, trainer, or athletic director. The application process is simple but must be completed in one sitting as there is no option to save progress. Applicants are encouraged to draft their responses separately before submitting. The application form requests key details related to the school’s programs, their resource gaps, and the potential benefits of receiving support. Evaluations are based on demonstrated need, merit, and the narrative’s strength regarding the program’s impact. The 2026 application window opens on Friday, March 27, and closes at 9:00 a.m. EST on Friday, April 17. Applicants should ensure all required fields, marked with an asterisk, are completed accurately. Selected schools are expected to be notified in late April, though an exact date is not guaranteed. The delivery of equipment and resources will follow as swiftly as possible after notification. All inquiries regarding the application process should be directed to the Detroit Lions Foundation via email. Applicants are advised to include “Touchdown in Your Town” in the subject line to ensure prompt assistance. Despite not specifying the number of schools to be selected, the Foundation notes that this will depend on the volume and quality of submissions. The program does not allow duplicate nominations; only one submission per school is accepted. Programs may submit applications for both football and cheerleading if they are part of the same high school.