The American Heart Association and National Football League have selected 136 schools nationwide to receive Kids Heart Challenge, American Heart Challenge, and NFL PLAY 60 grants targeting student physical activity and faculty well-being. This initiative responds to statistics showing only 1 in 4 children ages 6 to 11 achieve the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity, with rates more than doubling for youth ages 12 to 17 according to the American Heart Association.
This year introduces an enhanced grant structure featuring a $350,000 annual funding pool provided by the NFL, building upon the existing school grant program established by the American Heart Association. The annual winners were announced at an NFL PLAY 60 school assembly in San Francisco, California, with NFL mascots from multiple teams participating in celebrations ahead of Super Bowl LX. Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association, emphasized that expanding this grant program helps schools create more movement opportunities and supportive environments for children's physical and emotional well-being.
NFL PLAY 60 grants specifically support four key areas identified by educators: physical activity equipment, FLAG football programs, recess enhancements and inclusive physical education, and well-being resources. The program encourages children to achieve at least 60 minutes of vigorous daily physical activity to meet U.S. Department of Health and Human Services guidelines. Megan Mendoza, Senior Manager of Social Responsibility at the NFL, noted that this year's expanded grant program reflects two decades of commitment to helping children lead healthier, more active lives through partnership with the American Heart Association.
This season also features NFL mascots joining the inaugural NFL PLAY 60 Ambassador Class, with eight members from various teams working to inspire increased movement among children. NFL PLAY 60 grant applications remain open year-round, with another group of recipients scheduled for announcement in April. Schools seeking information about available resources and grant opportunities can access details through the American Heart Association's online platform at https://heart.org/NFLPLAY60.
