American Heart Association and NFL Award $350,000 in Grants to Schools for Student Health and CPR Readiness
The American Heart Association and NFL have awarded grants to 188 schools across 45 states to support physical activity, emergency readiness, and CPR training, addressing childhood obesity and cardiac emergency preparedness.
The American Heart Association and the National Football League (NFL) have awarded grants to 188 schools in 45 states through the Association’s school-based programs, Kids Heart Challenge and American Heart Challenge. This second round of grants in 2026 draws from a $350,000 annual funding pool provided by the NFL through NFL PLAY 60, a campaign aimed at improving youth health by encouraging at least 60 minutes of daily physical activity.
The funding addresses a critical need: approximately 1 in 5 children in the United States live with obesity, and the same number get the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity. The grants support specific areas identified by schools and educators, including physical activity equipment, FLAG football, recess enhancements, inclusive physical education, and well-being resources. Additionally, the expanded funding pool builds on an existing school grant program that now includes CPR readiness resources in schools.
“Educators know what their students need to thrive, and this grant program is designed to help them get there by providing schools with health-focused and cardiac emergency readiness resources that might not otherwise be attainable,” said Nancy Brown, chief executive officer of the American Heart Association. “We are grateful to the NFL’s support in helping to ensure that children everywhere have equal opportunities to live longer, healthier lives, regardless of who they are or where they live.”
The NFL PLAY 60 initiative, rooted in science, encourages kids to get a minimum of 60 minutes of vigorous physical activity each day to meet the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans. NFL mascots in the NFL PLAY 60 Ambassador Class, including Freddie Falcon (Atlanta Falcons), Gumbo (New Orleans Saints), Rampage (Los Angeles Rams), Roary (Detroit Lions), Rowdy (Dallas Cowboys), Sir Purr (Carolina Panthers), and T-Rac (Tennessee Titans), are also working to inspire kids to move more for mental and physical well-being.
During the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the Association and NFL are teaming up to attempt a GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the most people to complete CPR training in one hour. The feat, supported by Damar Hamlin’s Chasing M’s foundation and Doctor Mike, will take place on Friday, April 24, from 1-2 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium. The effort aims to encourage fans and families to join the Nation of Lifesavers by learning Hands-Only CPR. Participation is free, and registration is open at heart.org/NFLDraft.
Grant applications are accepted year-round, with the next group of recipients to be announced in June. More information on NFL PLAY 60 resources and grant opportunities is available at heart.org/NFLPLAY60.