"Our dream of the Jaguars Foundation began even before Jacksonville was awarded the 30th NFL franchise in 1993, and we awarded our first grants before the team played its first game in 1995," Weaver remarked. "I am proud of the Jaguars Partners for making a million dollar commitment annually to support the Foundation's grant making and other important programs for youth and their families." Unlike most professional sports teams, the Jaguars Foundation does not solicit contributions nor hold fundraising events.
The Foundation, in partnership with Baptist Health-Wolfson Children's Hospital, also awarded $129,000 in Youth Anti-Obesity grants to five non-profits to prevent childhood obesity and promote healthy lifestyle choices, through increasing physical activity and better nutrition.
For information on the Grants Program guidelines and application, please visit the Jaguars Foundation website at http://www.jaguars.com/Foundation/Grantmaking.aspx
About the Jaguars Foundation:
The Jaguars Foundation focuses on strategic grant making, networking, and volunteer support to serve economically and socially disadvantaged youth and families of Jacksonville.
Other Foundation programs include:
* Honor Rows®uses seats at Jaguars home games to reward economically and socially disadvantaged youth for reaching pre-determined academic, behavioral, and public service goals; * Straight Talk™,in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida and local media, to help reduce teen pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, and other sexually transmitted diseases; * The Official Playbooks®, in partnership with Diet Pepsi, to encourage reading and use of local public libraries; * What Moves U, co-sponsored by Baptist Health/Wolfson Children's Hospital, in partnership with the NFL, American Heart Association and Duval County Public Schools, to prevent youth obesity, promote physical activity and good nutrition; and, * Jaguars Don't Smoke,an initiative to reduce tobacco use among youth.
