Players Coalition announces $2M in new grants

ATLANTA — The Players Coalition charitable foundation announced six grant recipients for 2019 on Wednesday.

The grants total $2 million and are focused on nonprofit organizations that “impact racial and social inequality.”

Co-founders Anquan Boldin and Malcolm Jenkins announced the six grantees along with Carolina Panthers wide receiver Torrey Smith: Year Up, Communities In Schools, Advancement Project, National Juvenile Defender Center, Center For Policing Equity and The Justice Collaborative.

“Players have come together to work collaboratively because we saw there was an impact we could make as a collective unit,” said Jenkins.

The Players Coalition focused in 2018 on “building awareness and support for national campaigns centered around cash bail reform, juvenile justice, the power of elected public officials, and the importance of voting.” The Coalition has received funding from the NFL, among other organizations, and worked on grassroots efforts in numerous states.

The Coalition has worked toward bail reform in Georgia, Louisiana and Florida, raising the age limits for youth prosecution in Massachusetts and helping pass the Clean Slate Act in Pennsylvania, among other initiatives.

“The Players Coalition will be around for years to come,” Boldin said. “Players have committed their own time, money and resources.

“This day for us is a big day. We are grateful to be partnering with you guys. And the work you guys have been doing for so long, that we can work alongside you.”

–Derek Harper, Field Level Media