The San Francisco 49ers Foundation, one of the National Football League's largest charitable foundations, today announced* *$1.8 million has been distributed in grants and contributions this year to various non-profit agencies throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. The 49ers Foundation has donated $6 million over the past four years and nearly $12 million over the past nine years.
"Each year, the 49ers Foundation strives to make a positive impact on the Bay Area through grants to organizations that seek to keep kids safe, on track and in school," said team Owner John York. "We are proud that our outreach efforts and the support of our players, coaches and benefactors have enabled us to increase the total contribution amount for 2010. These grants are transformational for the recipient organizations, helping to further enhance the impact they have on the lives of at-risk youth in our community.'"
The 49ers Foundation, partially funded by 49ers team owners Denise and John York, is the non-profit community funding arm of the San Francisco 49ers. Money raised supports development programs for underserved youth that keep them "Safe, On track and In School." The Foundation addresses safety for Bay Area youth through child abuse prevention programs primarily working with the Hedge Funds Care group to distribute funds to local non-profit organizations. It also keeps young people on track through support of the 49ers Academy, which serves 6th, 7th and 8th grade students from East Palo Alto and through programs such as Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY) and Bayview/Hunter's Point YMCA that help support troubled youth get back on track in school and teach kids the value of respect.
"The grants from the Foundation are incredibly important to the organizations. However, the 49ers are honored to be able to further enhance the impact of these grants through our community outreach efforts," said team Owner Denise York. "Our player and coach participation is the backbone of the Foundation. They support the Foundation's efforts by volunteering in the community at the benefitting non-profits, interacting with youth and bringing smiles to the faces of children throughout the Bay Area. They also attend Foundation events and take an active role in bringing supporters closer to the mission of the Foundation. Every Sunday the 49ers take the field to win and our objective is to bring another Super Bowl to the Bay Area. But we have 340 other days where we want to be the best business partners and community citizens we can be."
In 2010, player participation included over 85% at 40 community events, totaling over 430 community service hours.
In addition to the players and coaches involvement, the 49ers Foundation relies on the guidance of its board of directors in addition to community and corporate partners.
A few of the many organizations receiving grants this year include: Bayview/Hunter's Point YMCA, 49ers Academy, Fresh Lifelines for Youth (FLY), City Year San Jose / Silicon Valley, Silicon Valley FACES, Eastside College Preparatory Academy, Glide Foundation Organizing Project, City Year, and Santa Clara Schools Foundation.
