The Houston Texans, ConocoPhillips, Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages and Miller Lite are proud to announce the Inspire Change Grant, which will fund programs, seed projects and create partnerships that support social justice and racial equity efforts in Houston.
The Texans and partners will award $400,000 to nonprofits and educational programs. The deadline to apply for an Inspire Change Grant is October 1, 2021.
Nonprofits and educational programs may visit Inspire Change Grant to submit an application.
"We remain committed to supporting organizations in Houston that make a positive impact on youth in our community," said Texans Chairman and CEO Cal McNair. "It takes all of us to inspire change, and this grant program will afford the opportunity to further enhance important social justice and racial equity initiatives."
An advisory committee will select grant recipients who work for change or assist in the following areas:
- Education
- Criminal justice reform
- Relational policing
- Poverty
- Racial equity
- Workforce and economic development
- Employment
- Anti-bias/anti-racism, diversity training and educational programs for youth
- Educating youth on the histories of minority groups in America
- Support for children with incarcerated parents
- Access to mental health support in underserved communities/schools
- Homelessness
The NFL introduced the Inspire Change initiative in 2019 to create a positive impact in local communities and support programs that reduce barriers to opportunity. During the inaugural year of the program, the Houston Texans Social Justice Fund awarded $100,000 in grants to three nonprofits in the greater Houston area which support youth and provide legal services for underprivileged citizens – the YMCA of Greater Houston, 8 Million Stories and Restoring Justice. The grant program was renewed in 2020 and the Texans awarded an additional $100,000. Texas Civil Rights Project also received funds in 2020 to aid its efforts.
Also in 2020, as part of the team's ongoing commitment to help minimize barriers and create opportunities for all Houstonians, the Texans created new partnerships and enhanced existing efforts. These include a $1 million donation to the Houston Rent Relief Program by Texans Co-Founder and Senior Chair Janice S. McNair, the Conversations for Change dialogue series led by Janice S. McNair, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Cal McNair and Vice President of the Texans Foundation Hannah McNair, and continued engagement with the Houston Police Department's Greater Houston Police Activity League, among others.
In 2021, Provision Academy and Sharpstown High School each received a $5,000 Ray Seals Grant, which was designed to assist predominately low income and minority school programs. The funding was able to be used for football equipment and uniforms, programming and additional student support initiatives. The Texans also partnered with the NFL Foundation and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation to award $450,000 to renovate and resurface the high school football field at Jack Yates High School.
To learn more, click here.
The Texans Rookies, Houston Texans Cheerleaders and TORO joined the Yellowstone Academy at the Inspire Change Initiative. Texans players, students and Houston police officers engaged in meaningful conversations about inspiring change in our community. Afterwards, players lead football drills and a hula hoop challenge at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2019 community event in which Texans Rookies and HPD officers participated in football drills with students at Emancipation Park.
