RENTON, Wash. — The Seattle Seahawks announced the launch of two new Inspire Change programs focused on developing the next generation of leaders through sports, mentorship, career readiness and educational opportunities.
The new programs, Inspire Change: Global Impact and Inspire Change: Leadership Beyond the Field, will leverage the power of sports to help underserved youth build skills, expand career opportunities and prepare for future success. Seahawks Wide Receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba will serve as the team's ambassador for both programs, providing mentorship and engaging directly with participating students and organizations.
The Seahawks' new programs are part of the NFL's larger Inspire Change umbrella, further advancing the league's commitment to creating positive social impact around the world. The Seahawks' new programs are part of the NFL's expansion of Inspire Change into international markets, bringing the League's growing global social impact work together under a shared platform. As the NFL's presence grows in communities around the world, so does its commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for underserved youth and communities. Internationally, Inspire Change will focus on expanding access to opportunity through programs shaped by clubs, local organizations and the needs of each community.
"Every kid deserves the opportunity to believe in what's possible," said Smith-Njigba. "I'm excited to be part of the Seahawks' Inspire Change programs to help students build confidence in their future."
"Empowering youth has long been at the heart of our community impact work and these programs reflect our commitment to helping young people gain access to new opportunities," said Mario Bailey, Seahawks Vice President of Community Engagement and Legends. "We are grateful to partner with Jaxon, the NFL and Beyond Sport to make a meaningful impact around the world."
Seahawks Inspire Change: Global Impact
Through the team's new Inspire Change: Global Impact program, the Seahawks are the first NFL club to launch a global Inspire Change program in all of its global markets under the NFL's Global Markets Program. The program will utilize Seahawks Flag Football as a catalyst to drive increased youth engagement across the team's global markets of Australia and New Zealand, Germany, Austria and Switzerland (DACH region), and Canada.
In partnership with the NFL and Beyond Sport, the Seahawks will provide community grants ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 in each of these global markets to organizations serving underserved youth. Grant funding will support flag football participation while expanding access to mentorship and career readiness programming designed to prepare young people for future educational and professional opportunities.
Grant applications are open now and organizations will be selected throughout the fall. The first grant recipient is expected to be announced in the DACH region in November, followed by recipients in Canada and Australia/New Zealand in December and January.
Seahawks Inspire Change: Leadership Beyond the Field
The Seahawks are also launching Inspire Change: Leadership Beyond the Field, a leadership and career development program designed to equip high school students with the knowledge, experiences and professional skills necessary to pursue careers in sports. The program will serve approximately 300 high school juniors and seniors from across the greater Seattle area, with a focus on reaching historically underserved and diverse students.
Throughout the football season, participants will participate in career shadowing in all areas of professional sports, including football operations, marketing, community engagement, finance, technology, media and event operations. Participants will also have the opportunity to attend a Seahawks home game, where two students will each be awarded $5,000 scholarships.
Additional information regarding participation in the Global Impact program, including grant applications, can be found here. For more on the Leadership Beyond the Field program, click here.
