Four grants to local nonprofits are supported by a fund at the New York Community Trust |  Four local nonprofits have received grants to expand youth programs that blend athletics and academics through a new collaboration of The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida, the Heisman Trophy Trust, and the New York Community Trust.

“Northeast Florida is home to many exceptional youth programs that help young people succeed both on and off the field,” said Foundation President Isaiah M. Oliver. “We’re thankful to the Heisman Trophy Trust for extending their support to Florida for the very first time.”

The Heisman Trophy Trust’s mission is to grow the legacy and preserve the integrity of the Heisman Memorial Trophy, which is annually awarded to the outstanding college football player in the United States. These grants are Heisman’s first to benefit Florida, and they span a number of sports programs across the region.

“The Heisman Trophy Trust is proud to further expand our support in the South and partner with The Community Foundation of Northeast Florida,” said Michael Comerford, Heisman Trophy Trust President. “Our mission has always been to ensure that the values of discipline, teamwork, and leadership learned on the field translate into lifelong success off the field. By investing in these programs, we are helping to level the playing field and create greater opportunities for youth across the region. We look forward to building on this momentum and making a lasting impact in Florida for years to come.”

The local nonprofits receiving new funds are:

“We are thrilled to be recognized by the Heisman Trophy Youth Development Fund,” said Tony Williams, President & Founder of the Protential Foundation. “It is an absolute honor to be selected alongside such a small group of impactful Northeast Florida organizations. It’s a powerful vote of confidence in the work we’re doing to uplift and empower youth.”

The Heisman Trophy Youth Development Fund is a donor-advised fund housed at the New York Community Trust, and it is one of the largest funders of sports-based youth development programs in the country. It has awarded more than $10 million in grants benefiting more than 100,000 young people in seven locations around the country.

“These grants represent a meaningful step toward equalizing the playing field through greater access and exposure to sports in underserved communities,” said Roderick Jenkins, The Trust’s Senior Program Director for Youth & Workforce Development. “The lessons learned on the field – discipline, focus, teamwork, and leadership – will benefit these kids off the field and throughout their lives.”

The Community Foundation for Northeast Florida (jaxcf.org), Florida’s oldest and one of its largest community foundations, works to stimulate philanthropy to build a better community. The Foundation helps donors invest their philanthropic gifts wisely, helps nonprofits serve the region effectively, and helps people come together to make the community a better place. Now in its 61st year, the Foundation manages more than $700 million in assets as of 12/31/2024 and has made more than $850 million in grants since inception.

The Heisman Trophy Trust’s mission is to grow the legacy and preserve the integrity of the Heisman Memorial Trophy, which is annually awarded to the outstanding college football player in the United States, whose performance epitomizes great ability combined with diligence, perseverance, and hard work. Beyond awarding the trophy, the Trust has a charitable mission to support and fund youth development programs in underserved communities. Additionally, the Trust annually presents the Heisman Humanitarian Award to outstanding individuals in the sports world who further the Heisman vision. Our goal is to harness the power of the Heisman Trophy’s legacy of athletic excellence to positively impact our nation’s youth and provide more equitable opportunities for underserved communities.

The New York Community Trust is New York’s largest community foundation, serving New York City, Long Island, and Westchester. For more than 100 years, The Trust has brought together the local knowledge and diverse expertise of its team and nonprofit and philanthropic partners to support thriving and equitable communities and help donors champion the causes they love. The Trust makes approximately $200 million in grants each year from its charitable funds set up by individuals, families, foundations, and corporations.