Nike Commits US$3.2M to Fund Football Programs for Indigenous Youth, Partners With NFL Clubs

As part of its commitment to expand access to sport for the next generation of athletes, NIKE, Inc. is partnering with NFL clubs to increase opportunities for Native American and Indigenous youth to become involved in football. Through Nike’s five-year, $3.2 million investment, each NFL club can receive $20,000 per year to collaborate with local Indigenous nonprofits and other organizations and fund football-based programs for youth in Native American communities. Together, we can help break down barriers to sport for Indigenous youth.

Expanding upon the work that Nike and NFL clubs have done over the past few years to connect with Indigenous communities, this funding will be available for clubs to invite local Indigenous youth to experience football and sport — and inspire them to keep playing. To highlight this commitment, Nike N7 will host a youth sport camp with the Fort Mojave Tribal Nation, ahead of Super Bowl LVIII, in partnership with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Partnering with NFL clubs provides an incredible opportunity at national scale to deepen Nike’s commitment to Indigenous communities and youth. By connecting NFL clubs with local Native American communities, we can continue to deliver impact, expanding Nike’s commitment to igniting the next generation of Indigenous youths’ dreams through the power of sport, specifically through the game of football.

As an example of putting this investment into action, the Minnesota Vikings plan to use the funding to provide more opportunities for Indigenous youth to play football through clinics and other efforts. In addition to equipment donations, the Vikings intend to offer unique experiences for the Twin Cities’ Native American community, including attending Vikings’ games and a training camp with VIP access.

Research from the World Health Organization shows that kids who play are healthier, happier and more successful in school and in life. But globally, only 1 in 5 kids gets the physical activity they need to thrive — and some kids, like youth in Native American and Indigenous communities across North America, still face more challenges to getting and staying active than others. As the biggest champion for athletes and sport, Nike believes all kids should have an opportunity to play.