The Dallas Cowboys have partnered with the Texas Lottery to provide the Funds for Fitness grant program to Texas public school institutions looking to create new or enhance existing youth health and wellness projects on their campuses. Over the five-year commitment, the program will award $300,000 to Texas public school teachers and educators aiming to increase the health and wellness of their students.
Launching Wednesday, February 1, the Funds for Fitness program will accept project applications online at www.DallasCowboys.com/FundsForFitness through the end of March. The scope of requested projects is open-ended and can be anything that impacts the health or physical fitness of the student body. Applications are limited to one per teacher, per grant cycle.
"The Funds for Fitness program is just another way that the Dallas Cowboys and our partners like the Texas Lottery can help make a difference in the lives of Texas students," said Charlotte Jones Anderson, Dallas Cowboys Executive Vice-President and Chief Brand Officer. "Through this initiative, we will be able to provide educators with the additional resources they need to incorporate movement and a healthy-lifestyle into every part of the school day."
Fifteen grants totaling $60,000 will be dispersed in 2016, with five grants each being provided to projects that benefit elementary, middle school and high school students. Amounts granted to each of the 15 prize winners will be based off of the financial need of the proposed initiative and its far-reaching impact on student health.
"We are proud to partner with the Cowboys on this initiative that aligns with our mission to support public education in Texas," said Gary Grief, executive director of the Texas Lottery.
As part of the application system, candidates must explain the objective of their program, what the grant funds will be used for and the timeline the program will be executed should the monies be awarded. Multi-media elements like videos and photographs are also requested as part of the online application process.
Applications will be accepted from all Texas public school institutions, with the exception of schools located within a 75-mile radius of Houston, Texas. Due to National Football League market radius restrictions, the Dallas Cowboys are unable to provide this program to schools within the Houston Texans direct outreach area.
At the end of the application period, the Dallas Cowboys will select a group of finalists from the elementary, middle and high school levels and provide those for review to a celebrity panel of judges, including Dallas Cowboys ownership, alumni players, local media personalities, and more.
Once selections have been made, award winners will be notified in May.
For a full list of program eligibility rules and requirements as well as more information about the program, please visit www.DallasCowboys.com/FundsForFitness.
