Community Impact Through Spring Football

Program Abstract: Bridging Ambition and Service 🏈

Too many promising athletes, first responders, and veterans face limited professional football opportunities and under-resourced career pathways after college or service.

The SFL program harnesses these individuals’ talents, providing paid league play, career certifications, and direct engagement with local nonprofits to uplift communities.

Motto: “Play the Game, Live the Life!” — a call to embrace athletic discipline for on-field victory and translate that same commitment into a life of purpose, career fulfillment, and civic contribution.

Project Overview: The Dual-Purpose Model and New Beginnings

The Spring Football League will establish a sustainable professional football circuit, building a unique platform for recent graduates, first responders, and honorably discharged veterans under 30.

Rooted in Isaiah 43:19, this dual commitment allows participants to:

• Play the Game — compete professionally.
• Live the Life — build careers and serve their communities.

The initiative builds upon proven models (e.g., Japan’s XLeague.jp), but enhances them with a strong vocational training and nonprofit collaboration framework.

Impact will be measured through: community feedback, employment metrics, and certification rates.

Action Steps for Stakeholders

For SFL Players (Athletes, Veterans, First Responders)

• Embrace Dual Commitment: Treat training and certifications with game-day intensity.
• Achieve Certification: Complete personalized plans in the first season (80% attendance).
• Lead in Service: 200+ service hours annually with nonprofit partners.
• Mentor and Recruit: Guide local youth and assist in new player recruitment.

For Local Chambers of Commerce

• Facilitate Workforce Placement: Connect certified players to job opportunities.
• Provide Training Resources: 2–3 annual workshops (networking, finance, etc.).
• Sponsor Team Programs: Fund scholarships and placement support.
• Measure Local Impact: Annual reports on job creation and local spending.

Statement of Need: A Crisis of Opportunity

Population: College Players

Challenge: 98.4% do not reach the NFL
Data Source: NCAA Research, 2022

Population: Veterans

Challenge: High underemployment and career instability
Data Source: RAND Corporation, 2022

Population: Nonprofits

Challenge: 30% report inability to meet demand due to limited resources
Data Source: National Council of Nonprofits, 2023

SFL uses paid sport to fund nonprofit impact, turning athletic talent into community growth.

Program Goals and Outcomes

Program Goals

• Professionalize Potential: 100% of participants connected to certifications and career placement.
• Empower Nonprofits: Increase capacity by at least 25%.
• Replicate Success: Expand to new metro areas every 2 years.

Program Outcomes

KPI: Service Output

Target: 1,000+ hours of combined nonprofit service per team per year
Outcome Measure: Quarterly service reports signed by nonprofit partners

KPI: Professional Placement

Target: 75% of SFL participants placed in full-time employment or advanced education within 6 months of program completion
Outcome Measure: Post-program employment and certification tracking surveys

KPI: Community Value

Target: Annual report confirming a $4:1 return on investment (ROI) in community, economic, and personal impact
Outcome Measure: Year-over-Year Program Value Assessment

Program Significance and Conclusion

The SFL model leverages sport not just for entertainment but as a lasting investment in people and communities.

We build bridges from the field to the workforce and nonprofit sector, unlocking unrealized potential and addressing long-standing gaps in opportunity, equity, and capacity.

With your support, we will:

• Advance the dreams of overlooked athletes, veterans, and first responders.
• Strengthen nonprofits serving our communities.
• Multiply community impact through faith-driven purpose.

“Play the Game, Live the Life!”