The Eagles today announced that they’ve donated more than $400,000 to area-based nonprofits committed to helping end gun violence in the city of Philadelphia.
The team unveiled ‘A Fan Of Change’ media campaign to inspire hope across the embattled city.
To start, the Eagles Social Justice Fund is awarding $410,350 in grants to nine local nonprofits that provide financial education and support for violence prevention.
$300,000 will go toward violence prevention programs that give well-paying jobs to people affected by violence so they can use their lived experience to create positive change.
$110,350 will go toward programs that give children and adults the knowledge they need to increase their financial literacy and grow their personal wealth.
“In Philadelphia, a lot of the violence that we are seeing starts with being in poverty,” said Eagles running back Miles Sanders. “We’re in a time in this country where a lot of our youth, especially, are at risk. This issue hits home for me because I came from a similar type of environment, and I know what it takes to get out of those situations. A lot of these kids look up to guys like us, and it’s our responsibility to provide a source of inspiration for them and show them there is a way out. We can do this by investing in programs and initiatives that address the root causes of poverty and provide opportunities for those who have been trapped in it for far too long.”
The team’s anti-gun violence campaign launches as the National Football League celebrates Inspire Change – a year-round initiative that highlights the social justice work done by NFL players, clubs, the league office, and social justice grant partners to create positive change in communities across the country and ensure that equal opportunity becomes a reality for all.