Communities In Schools Selected by the NFL as a 2026 Inspire Change Grant Partner
A total of $1.2 million in grant funds will be allocated to organizations advancing social justice across the country
Communities In Schools® (CIS®), the nation’s leading provider of K-12 school-based integrated student supports (ISS), announced its new partnership with the NFL as a 2026 Inspire Change grant recipient.
CIS is one of six new grant partners, totaling $1.2 million in new grant funding to support education, economic advancement, police-community relations, and criminal justice reform. Funding for CIS will support: Community Empowerment Work – an initiative designed to virtually train and certify leaders who will then deliver a CIS Parent Empowerment Program to parents and caretakers. The curriculum covers topics that support educational advocacy from families, including leadership skills, understanding learning styles, and more.
Creating lasting change requires sustained commitment and dedicated partners. The NFL is committed to supporting organizations driving real impact in communities across the country. These new grant partners exemplify our shared mission of breaking down barriers and fostering opportunity where it’s needed most.
-Anna Isaacson, NFL Senior Vice President, Social Responsibility
This year’s grant recipients also include the Center for Healing and Justice through Sport, Friends of the Children, New Kensington Community Development Corporation, STRIVE International Inc., and the New York University – Policing Project.
Since 2017, the NFL Family has invested over $460 million to advance social justice within the key focus areas of education, economic advancement, police-community relations, and criminal justice reform.
The Inspire Change social justice grants have supported over 700 local nonprofits, nearly 2,300 matching grants from current and former players, and over 50 national grant partners, with the NFL family contributing over $460 million to date.
These new grant partners were ratified at last week’s December League Meeting by the Player-Owner Social Justice Working Group, a 12-member panel of players, legends, and team owners. Annually, the Social Justice Working Group reviews submissions and proposals from players and other members of the NFL community and votes on the organizations that best align with the Inspire Change mission.
Learn more about all Inspire Change grant partners.
About Communities In Schools
Communities In Schools® (CIS®) is a national organization that ensures every student has what they need to realize their potential in school and beyond. Working directly inside more than 4,000 schools across the country, we connect students to caring adults and community resources that help them see, confront, and overcome the barriers that stand between them and a brighter future. Together, we build a powerful change movement made up of peers, students, and alumni committed to building a path to education for future generations. Follow us for news @communitiesinschools on LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook, @cisnational on X (formerly Twitter) or with the hashtag #BeingPresentMatters.
