Green Bay Reporter

The Green Bay Packers, in collaboration with the NFL Foundation Grassroots Program, have allocated a total of $300,000 to enhance local football facilities in Wisconsin. A grant of $250,000 has been directed to the St. Francis Public School District near Milwaukee for the installation of a synthetic turf field at St. Francis High School. Additionally, Fox Valley Pop Warner Football, Inc. received $50,000 for improvements at the Challenger Accessible Football Field located in Plamann Park, Appleton.

Packers President and CEO Mark Murphy expressed pride in these partnerships, stating: "Enhancing local athletic facilities provides great value for entire communities, offering countless opportunities for athletes and sports fans of all ages and ability levels to come together and enjoy the benefits of team activities."

The St. Francis project will not only benefit high school teams but also community soccer clubs and recreational programs for both youth and adults. The district has already secured over $700,000 through various initiatives to complement the NFL Foundation's contribution.

Fox Valley Pop Warner's Challenger League supports children with disabilities from second grade through high school by providing an inclusive flag football program. The latest grant follows a previous one that facilitated the creation of Wisconsin's first ADA-compliant football field.

These grants are part of the NFL Foundation's LISC Grassroots Field Grant Program, which has distributed nearly $65 million over 25 years to support community football fields nationwide. This year alone saw more than $3 million awarded across 15 cities and towns.

LISC works with local nonprofits to develop or refurbish fields by providing financial resources and technical assistance once funding goals are met. These agencies manage construction and maintenance while ensuring safety standards are upheld.

The NFL Foundation is dedicated to improving lives through football-related initiatives, supporting health and wellness across communities linked to its teams. LISC aims to build resilient communities by addressing systemic disparities in health and opportunity.