USA Football, the sport’s national governing body and a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee, and the Buffalo Bills recently awarded grants for new equipment, uniforms and other resources to youth and scholastic football programs throughout the Buffalo area.
USA Football’s grant program will award over $1.5 million in resources to benefit young athletes in 2018, based on merit, need and a school’s or sports organization’s commitment to coaching education and best practices. USA Football has awarded more than $10 million in grants to school-based and youth football programs since 2006.
Grants are valued up to $1,500 apiece and provide the following resources from USA Football partners:
• Tackle football equipment from Riddell
• Flag football equipment from NFL FLAG powered by USA Football
• Uniforms from Badger Sportswear
• Practice equipment from Tackle Tube, Shawdowman Sports and Gilman Gear
• Field-building financial support from FieldTurf
• Background checks from Peopletrail
• Field equipment from Port-A-Field
USA Football grants are funded by the NFL Foundation, the league’s nonprofit organization representing its 32 clubs. Its mission is to support the health, safety and wellness of athletes, youth football and the communities which support the game. USA Football is the official youth football development partner of the NFL.
“The Buffalo Bills are pleased to partner with USA Football and the NFL Foundation to assist in providing resources, uniforms and new equipment to youth and high school football programs throughout the Western New York region,” said Buffalo Bills President and Owner Kim Pegula. “We are committed to providing a safe and exciting football experience for children in our community and are proud to support so many great football programs in Buffalo and Rochester.”
“USA Football, in partnership with the Buffalo Bills, the NFL Foundation and our partners, is pleased to assist leagues and school-based programs by providing resources and equipment to help young athletes have a great football experience,” said USA Football CEO Scott Hallenbeck. “Supporting programs through our grants is one of the ways for us to show how we value the thousands of athletic directors, coaches and youth league leaders who do inspiring work for their kids through football.”
Buffalo area youth and school-based school programs awarded a 2018 USA Football Grant:
| ORGANIZATION | CITY |
| Albion High School | Albion, NY |
| Alden Junior Football & Cheerleading | Alden, NY |
| Batavia Bulldawgs | Batavia, NY |
| Beast Elite Ducks | Buffalo, NY |
| Brighton Junior Barons | Rochester, NY |
| Cataract City Youth Sports Association | Amherst, NY |
| Cataract Little Loop Football Association, Inc. | Niagara Falls, NY |
| Cheektowaga Little Loop | Cheektowaga, NY |
| Dansville Jr. Mustangs | Dansville, NY |
| Eastcoast Youth Sports Inc. | Buffalo, NY |
| Geneseo Bills Inc. | Perry, NY |
| Geneseo Junior Blue Devils | Perry, NY |
| Grand Island Jr. Vikings Football | Grand Island, NY |
| Hamburg Little Loop Football and Cheerleading | Hamburg, NY |
| Hill Butler Giants Athletic Association Inc. | Buffalo, NY |
| Irondequoit Junior Eagles | Rochester, NY |
| Lockport Little Loop | Lockport, NY |
| Medina Lake Ontario Youth Athletic League | Medina, NY |
| Orchard Park Little Loop Football | Orchard Park, NY |
| Orleans County YMCA | Medina, NY |
| Rush Henrietta Junior Comets | Rochester, NY |
| Rush Henrietta Youth Sports Association | West Henrietta, NY |
| Teens in Progress, Inc | Buffalo, NY |
| Tenth Ward Tigers | Rochester, NY |
| Wayland Cohocton Junior Eagles | Wayland, NY |
| Western New York Buccaneers Football | Buffalo, NY |
| Westside Little League Football | Buffalo, NY |
