According to the City Controller’s Office, gun violence homicides in Philadelphia are down 40% from 2023. Prior to that, the incidence rate decreased 23% from 2022 to 2023. While proactive measures are being taken around the city, gun violence continues to be a major concern and has disproportionately affected underserved communities of color.
As part of the team's ongoing effort to combat gun violence, the Philadelphia Eagles have announced the distribution of grants totaling $270,000 through the Eagles Social Justice Fund of the Philadelphia Foundation. The following organizations are working on solutions to end gun violence in the city:
| Social Justice Nonprofit Recipient | Area of Concentration | Grant Funding |
|---|---|---|
| CHOP Center for Violence Prevention | Anti-Violence | $30,000 |
| Shoot Basketballs Not People | Anti-Violence | $30,000 |
| GreenLight Fund | Economic and Racial Equity | $30,000 |
| Center for Families and Relationships | Relationship Counseling | $30,000 |
| After School Activities Partnership (ASAP) | Youth Development | $30,000 |
| Horizons Greater Philadelphia | Youth Development | $30,000 |
| Rock to the Future | Youth Development | $30,000 |
| 100 Black Men of Philadelphia | Youth Mentorship | $30,000 |
| Students Run Philly Style | Youth Mentorship | $30,000 |
| Grant Funding Total | $270,000 |
The Eagles chose to support social justice issues aimed at reducing violence in Philadelphia for the fourth year in a row. These donations included a focus on violence prevention, youth development and mentorship, and breaking the poverty cycle through economic equity programming.
"On behalf of the Eagles, we extend our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the 2024 social justice grant recipients for their work in reducing gun violence in Philadelphia," said Jeffrey Lurie, Chairman and CEO, Philadelphia Eagles. "I also want to recognize our players and staff for fully dedicating themselves once again to a process that identified another group of amazing organizations. While there is still more work to be done, I am inspired by everyone involved for their role in fostering stronger, safer communities."
Established in 2018, the Eagles Social Justice Fund was formed to provide grants to organizations that work to reduce barriers to equal opportunity in the Greater Philadelphia area. Through the first seven years, the program has provided area-based organizations with more than $2.6 million in funding.
"Firearms are the leading cause of death for youth ages 1-18 in the U.S.," said Joel Fein, MD, MPH, pediatric emergency medicine physician and co-director of the Center for Violence Prevention at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). "At CHOP, we are committed to addressing gun violence as not just a public health issue, but a pediatric health issue, that recognizes the vital role of healthcare systems within the multifaceted approach needed to enact change. We are proud to be recognized by the Eagles Social Justice Fund alongside other organizations doing this important work in our communities. We are grateful to the Eagles for their partnership and long-standing commitment to gun violence prevention efforts in Philadelphia."
Building upon the team's End Philly Gun Violence initiative, the Eagles have launched the next phase of their fully integrated 'A Fan of Change' campaign. Entitled "Join the Team," this year's campaign, in partnership with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia's Center for Violence Prevention, highlights the social justice grant recipients, community members, Eagles players, and fans who are all channeling their energy to inspire change. The individuals featured in the campaign's social media graphics and billboard ads are those representing the real-life relationships between the organization's volunteers and those they directly serve, recognizing the benefits gained by the mentors and mentees. The team will leverage marketing and digital assets to shine a much-deserved light on the nine organizations that received $270,000 in grants from the Eagles Social Justice Fund this year.
"Ever since I was drafted by the Eagles in 2010, Philadelphia has been my home," said Brandon Graham, Eagles Social Justice Leadership Council member. "It's an honor to give back to this city and work with leaders who are driving real change in our community. The organizations we selected this year are very deserving of these grants and my hope is that the impact they're making inspires others to join in and support their life-changing work."
The website EndPhillyGunViolence.com, created by the Eagles in partnership with the City of Philadelphia, has been designed to serve as a helpful resource for the community and steer young people to proven and effective help.
The team's social justice grant initiative is part of the National Football League's Inspire Change platform, a year-round campaign that highlights the social justice work done by NFL players, clubs, the league office, and grant recipients aimed at creating positive change and ensuring that equal opportunity becomes a reality for all.
