The Seattle Seahawks have created their own fund to disperse money to social justice causes, and that fund just made several large payments.
The Seahawks Players Equality & Justice for All Action Fund, donated $225,000 to several different organizations connected to social justice causes. The donation represents the fund’s second dispersal.
The grants range in amounts from $25,000 to $50,000, and will go to groups dealing with criminal justice reform, bail reform, homelessness, and education, according to Seahawks offensive tackle Duane Brown.
According to Pro Football Talk:
Players formed the action fund last fall ‘in an effort to create lasting change and build a more compassionate and inclusive society.’
In just over a year, the action fund has raised more than $1.2 million. In December, grants ranging from $15,000 to $25,000 were given to seven organizations. The action fund is housed at the Seattle Foundation, a nonprofit that manages nearly $1 billion in philanthropic investments.
“I was kind of taken aback by how involved everyone was in the community when I got here,” Brown said according to the Seahawks website. “It really shows that guys aren’t just talking about it; everyone is putting things into action, putting money behind it. As players in our position, we’re obligated, I feel like, to help the community. Everyone is pretty passionate about it in these different areas — homelessness, criminal justice and education — they’re things that can really, really affect our future.”
The Seahawks had several prominent anthem protesters last year, however, this year the team has mostly focused their activism to off-the-field activities.
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