The American Heart Association and the National Football League (NFL) have selected 136 schools nationwide to receive Kids Heart Challenge™ and American Heart Challenge™ faculty well-being and NFL PLAY 60™ grants. This announcement, made at an assembly at Lawton Alternative School in San Francisco, marks an enhanced grant structure with a $350,000 annual funding pool provided by the NFL. The grants aim to promote physical movement for students and well-being for faculty, building on the existing school grant program established by the American Heart Association.
According to the American Heart Association, only 1 in 4 children ages 6 to 11 currently get the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity, a statistic that more than doubles for youth ages 12 to 17. Physical activity is vital for students' physical health and emotional well-being, helping them learn, concentrate, and manage stress throughout the school day. The expanded grant program is designed to provide schools with more ways to encourage movement and support holistic health.
“Every student deserves the chance to learn, grow and feel their best throughout the school day. By expanding this grant program, we are helping schools create more moments of movement and more spaces where kids feel supported in both their physical and emotional well-being,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. “As we shape our next century of impact, the American Heart Association is proud to work alongside the NFL to ensure that students everywhere have access to opportunities that will allow them to live longer, healthier lives.”
NFL PLAY 60 grants support four key areas identified by schools and educators: physical activity equipment, FLAG football, recess enhancements and inclusive physical education, and well-being resources. “For two decades, NFL PLAY 60 has been committed to helping kids lead healthier, more active lives, and this year’s expanded grant program reflects that commitment in an even larger way,” said Megan Mendoza, Senior Manager of Social Responsibility, NFL. “We’re proud to work with the American Heart Association to give schools across the country the tools and resources they need to inspire movement, strengthen well‑being and ensure that every student has the opportunity to thrive.”
The NFL PLAY 60 initiative, rooted in science, encourages children to get a minimum of 60 minutes of vigorous physical activity each day to meet the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. This season, NFL mascots are also inspiring kids to move more as part of the inaugural NFL PLAY 60 Ambassador Class, which includes Freddie Falcon (Atlanta Falcons), Sir Purr (Carolina Panthers), Roary (Detroit Lions), K.C. Wolf (Kansas City Chiefs), and others.
NFL PLAY 60 grant applications are accepted year-round, with another group of recipients to be announced in April. Information on resources and available grants can be found online at heart.org/NFLPLAY60. The American Heart Association and NFL continue to work together to ensure students nationwide have opportunities to live healthier lives.
