GBF Headlines
The Giving Back Fund
Integrity and Innovation in Philanthropy
OUR MISSIOn
- To help cultivate a new group of
philanthropists - To help establish new philanthropic role-models
OUR VISION
A society in which becoming a successful philanthropist is as valued and desirable a goal as success in athletics, business, entertainment, or any other field.
Ben Roethlisberger Foundation Now Accepting Grant Applications from K-9 Units
The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund has announced the new grant guidelines for the 2012-13 season. This marks the sixth grant cycle for the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation. The majority of the grants distributed will help K-9 units to purchase dogs and dog safety vests, but other types of needs are also considered.
The Foundation will be distributing grants in the cities and surrounding communities of each regular season away game for the Steelers during the 2012-13 season. The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation invites police and fire departments in these eight cities to submit proposals detailing their needs. Also, for each Steelers’ playoff game, a grant will be awarded to a city anywhere in the United States that would not otherwise be eligible to apply. In addition, the Foundation will continue to make grants to several police and fire department K-9 units in the Pittsburgh area following Super Bowl XLVII.
The Foundation is pleased to announce that the first grant of the 2012 season will go to the Findlay Police Department in Ohio. The funds will be used to purchase a new canine and train both the dog and handler. Photo courtesy of The Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA).
Jonathan Vilma Visits School in Haiti
In April 2012, New Orleans Saints linebacker Jonathan Vilma visited Haiti's Academy for Peace and Justice where a classroom bears his name.
The Academy for Peace and Justice was built by the non-profit Artists for Peace and Justice (APJ) after the devastating earthquake of 2010 which destroyed more than 50 schools. Currently, the Academy has 754 students in grades 7-9. As part of their enrollment, each student receives a uniform, books, supplies, lunch, transportation, access to health care and extra-curricular programs which costs the school approximately $1,250 per student.
The Jonathan Vilma Foundation granted $50,000 to APJ in 2011 and plans to double that in 2012. Photo courtesy of Bryn Mooser, APJ.
Nominate Someone for the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award
Identifying champions at the track is easy. But we have to look a bit harder to find the ones off it.
The Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award is looking for champions in our communities who represent the generosity of our sport. And we need your help.
If someone you know has shown extraordinary charity and kindness of spirit in working for kids in need, honor their efforts by nominating them for the Betty Jane France Humanitarian Award!
When NASCAR and our fans unite together anything is possible.
Click here for more informatin and a nomination application.
2011 Giving Back 30 Released in Parade
The Giving Back Fund's fifth annual Giving Back 30, a list of celebrities who have made the largest donations to charity in 2010 according to public records, was released in the December 18, 2012 issue of PARADE Magazine and online at www.PARADE.com. To compile the most accurate information, The Giving Back Fund reviewed media reports of charitable giving by sports and entertainment professionals; made inquiries to more than 250 celebrity publicists, attorneys, agents, agencies, and managers for information about their clients; sent requests to charities known for their celebrity affiliations; and contacted the major sports leagues and associations. Information was confirmed by at least one source other than an initial media source. Donations made by a celebrity’s foundation were not included on the list since there is no way to track the source of that money, which could be money raised by the public and not money donated by the celebrity.