Green Bay Packers Foundation
 | |
| Formation | 1986 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Judge Robert J. Parins |
| Type | 501(c)(3) |
| Purpose | Community outreach |
| Headquarters |
|
Region | Wisconsin |
| Affiliations | Green Bay Packers |
| Website |
www |
The Green Bay Packers Foundation is a charitable organization based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Established in 1986, the Foundation's original purpose was to ensure continued charitable donations by the Green Bay Packers football team. Although it is legally a separate entity from the Packers, a Board of Trustees consisting of 10 members of the Green Bay Packers Board of Directors leads the Foundation. It receives most of its funding from the team. The Foundation provides grant opportunities to Wisconsin-based 501(c)(3) organizations for community improvement projects. As of August 2018, the Foundation has donated more than US$9.8 million and maintains an endowment fund exceeding US$32 million.
History
Judge Robert J. Parins, who was the president of the Green Bay Packers from 1982 to 1989, founded the Green Bay Packers Foundation in 1986.[1][2] His desire was for the Foundation to be the charitable arm of the Packers organization and to ensure the team maintained strong community outreach. The Foundation has maintained a close relationship with the Packers organization since its founding.[3]
Organization
The Packers Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization[4] headquartered at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It is led by a 10-person Board of Trustees drawn from the Green Bay Packers Board of Directors. The Trustees review the yearly grant applications and decide how much money is to be provided to each applicant. Even though the Foundation is legally a separate entity and not part of the Green Bay Packers organization, it closely follows the goals of the Packers. It is the primary instrument the team uses for charitable giving.[1] This is reinforced by the fact the Green Bay Packers are the primary financial contributor to the Foundation. As of August 2018, the Foundation has amassed an endowment fund totaling over $32 million.[5]
The Foundation also has a unique role if the Green Bay Packers are ever sold. The Packers are the only publicly owned team in the National Football League. Instead of a single owner, the organization is owned by 361,169 shareholders[6] who elect a Board of Directors and Executive Committee each year.[7] If the shareholders were to decide to sell the team, the proceeds of the sale would not go to the shareholders. Instead, the Packer's bylaws state the proceeds would go to the Packers Foundation to fund charitable causes. The original bylaws stated the proceeds of any sale would be given to a local American Legion post to fund "a proper soldier's memorial". However, the shareholders voted to change the bylaws in 1997 to their current wording.[8][9] As of July 2018, Forbes estimates the Packers are worth $2.55 billion.[10]
Activities
The Foundation offers grant opportunities to Wisconsin-based charitable organizations to fund projects that further its mission. As of August 2018, the Foundation's mission is to assist local organizations which promote families, support athletic competitions, improve the welfare of Green Bay Packers players and fans, promote the education and safety of children, and reduce cruelty to animals.[1] The grant opportunities are open to eligible organizations that apply during three-year cycles. Each year has a different focus area that falls under the Foundation's mission.[3] In 2018, the Packers Foundation awarded $1.25 million worth of grants to five organizations that work in the areas of art, athletics, and education; this was the highest total awarded in a single year in the Foundation's history.[11] The yearly amount of charitable giving has risen significantly since 2014, totaling about $3.5 million.[12] In comparison, from 1986 to 2013, the amount of charitable giving was $6.3 million. In total, the Foundation has provided $9.8 million in grants since its formation.[13]
References
- 1 2 3 "Green Bay Packers Foundation". Green Bay Packers, Inc. 2018. Archived from the original on August 8, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
- ↑ "Judge Robert J. Parins, Packers' first full-time president, dies". USA Today Network. May 27, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
- 1 2 "Our View: Packers Foundation gives back". Green Bay Press-Gazette. Press-Gazette Editorial Board. December 9, 2017. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
- ↑ "Green Bay Packers Fondation". Pro Publica, Inc. March 2016. Archived from the original on August 8, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
- ↑ Ryamn, Richard (July 16, 2018). "Packers' set new records with 2017 revenue, expenses". USA Today Network. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
- ↑ "Green Bay Packers - Shareholders". Green Bay Packers, Inc. Archived from the original on July 23, 2018. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
- ↑ Zirin, Dave (January 25, 2011). "Those Nonprofit Packers". The New Yorker. Archived from the original on August 7, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
- ↑ Petchesky, Barry (December 8, 2011). "The Feel-Good Scam of Owning the Packers". Gizmodo Media Group. Archived from the original on August 6, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
- ↑ Hruby, Patrick (January 30, 2011). "The right way? The Green Bay way". ESPN Internet Ventures. Archived from the original on August 4, 2018. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
- ↑ Schuyler, David; George, John (July 19, 2018). "Green Bay Packers hold firm among world's 50 most valuable sports franchises: Forbes". Milwaukee Business Journal. Retrieved August 19, 2018.
- ↑ Siegle, Evan (June 20, 2018). "Green Bay Packers Give Back awards $1.25 million in impact grants". Green Bay Packers, Inc. Archived from the original on August 8, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
- ↑ "Green Bay Packers Foundation hands out record $1.25m in grants". WBAY-TV. June 20, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
- ↑ Ryman, Richard (March 6, 2018). "Packers Foundation to give money for arts, athletics and education". Green Bay Press-Gazette. Retrieved July 25, 2018.