Kansas City Public Schools will install a new synthetic turf field at Lincoln College Preparatory Academy and Middle School in Kansas City, Mo., thanks in part to a $250,000 grant from the Kansas City Chiefs through the National Football League Foundation Grassroots Program.
The grant from the Chiefs, the NFL Foundation, and Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) is part of more than $3 million in field refurbishment awards allocated this year.
The NFL Foundation/LISC Grassroots Program, a partnership between the NFL Foundation and LISC, the nation's leading community development support organization, has committed nearly $46 million to the program since 1998, supporting 336 projects nationwide. Fields are newly built or significantly renovated, with improvements including irrigation systems, lights, bleachers, scoreboards, goal posts and turf. Grassroots grants are issued once established funding thresholds are reached for each project.
"We are extremely proud of the continued partnership with LISC and the NFL Foundation on the Grassroots Program and are excited to announce this new field installation at Lincoln College Preparatory Academy and Middle School," Chiefs President Mark Donovan said. "The game of football touches many lives and has a lasting impact in communities across the country, beyond just players and coaches. We look forward to unveiling the new field to Lincoln College Preparatory students and supporters this fall."
LISC identifies local, nonprofit, community-based agencies that have an interest in building or refurbishing football fields in schools and neighborhood parks. Through the program, local agencies are provided with the necessary financing and technical assistance to improve the quality and safety of fields in their communities. The agencies oversee the construction, maintenance and programming of the fields.
"Greater Kansas City LISC is proud to partner again with the Kansas City Chiefs to deliver an asset that builds health and community spirit," said Stephen Samuels, Executive Director of Greater Kansas City LISC. "These renewed athletic fields reflect the vision of the families and children who use them. We know the neighborhoods will be stronger and more resilient with facilities like these."
About the NFL Foundation
The National Football League Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those touched by the game of football – from players at all levels to communities across the country. The NFL Foundation represents the 32 NFL clubs and supports the health, safety and wellness of athletes, youth football, and the communities that support our game. For more information on The NFL Foundation, visit: NFLFoundation.org.
About LISC
With residents and partners, LISC forges resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America- great places to live, work, visit, do business and raise families. Since 1980, LISC has invested $20 billion to build or rehab 376,000 affordable homes and apartments and develop 63,000 square feet of retail, community and educational space- including athletic facilities and other recreational space. For more information, visit www.lisc.org.
