'BROWNS GIVE BACK' CHARTIABLE GIVING GUIDELINES:
Browns Give Back are pleased to have the opportunity to help your community. It is our honor to 'give back' and contribute to non-profits that serve children and families in Northeast Ohio. We appreciate your support and continued interest. Please make sure to submit a formal request in accordance to the procedures and guidelines outlined below. Due to the volume of requests received, it is important that all requests follow the guidelines set forth below.
Click on the following links below for more information on procedures and guidelines regarding the various ways Browns Give Back to the community through donations and in-kind support—including autographed equipment, player appearances, sponsorships and grants. The procedures and guidelines are designed to assist you with your requests, specifically as it relates to the Browns potential involvement with your 501(c)3 organization.
In-Kind Donation Requests
Financial Donation Requests
Make a Donation
Charitable Giving FAQ’s
Tickets for Kids Program
In-Kind Donation Requests
The Cleveland Browns are pleased to have the opportunity to become part of your upcoming event/program and we appreciate your continued interest and support. The following information will explain our procedures and guidelines regarding donations, player appearances and sponsorships. These procedures and guidelines are designed to assist you with your requests, specifically as it relates to the Browns potential involvement with your 501(c)3 organization. Once your request has been processed, you will receive a response by mail.
1) Donation Request
All donation requests must be submitted online. Written and fax requests are no longer accepted by the Cleveland Browns.
2) Appearance Request
All player/coach/front office appearance requests must be submitted in writing at least six (6) weeks in advance of your event. Please note, we may not be able to respond and confirm to your request for at least 4-6 weeks in receiving. We ask that you do not plan your event around the possibility of a player/coach/front office appearance. Written requests must be submitted on your organization's official letterhead and include:
a) Organization's Name
b) Full Address and Telephone Number
c) Tax ID of Charitable Organization
d) Type of Event/Program (include description and number of attendee's)
e) Contact Person's Name, Full Address and Telephone Number
f) Date, Time (desired time and length of appearance)
g) Event Location
h) Role of player/coach/front office personal
i) Compensation (if applicable)
Please Mail Written Request To:
Cleveland Browns
Community Relations Department
76 Lou Groza Boulevard
Berea, Ohio 44017
You Can Also Fax Your Request To:
Cleveland Browns
Community Relations Department
440.891.7529
Please note, due to the overwhelming amount of appearance requests we receive, we ask that you do not plan your event around a possible player appearance.
The use of the Cleveland Browns name, trademarks (e.g., logos, team name and uniform, slogans, etc.) and copyrights (e.g., logos, game action photos and footage, etc.) (the "Club IP") is strictly prohibited unless otherwise permitted in writing. In the event use is permitted, Club IP shall only be used in accordance with the Browns' General Guidelines for the Use and Approval of Intellectual Property, such other guidelines and restrictions as the Browns may from time to time adopt, the rules of the National Football League, National Football League Properties, Inc., and all applicable law. All Club IP shall be and remain the property of the Browns. Any and all rights under trademark or copyright law or other property rights thereof shall inure to the benefit of and be the exclusive property of the Browns
We are excited about the high level of enthusiasm surrounding the Browns and thank all our fans around the world for their support. Due to the large volume of requests we receive, the Browns have established a statewide policy only for donations of charitable items. Organizations within the state of Ohio with priority to Northeastern Ohio will receive primary consideration of support from the Browns depending on the nature and scope of the event.
Helpful Hints
It is highly recommended that your event NOT center around anticipation of our donation, appearance or sponsorship, but should be approached as a complimentary element to your program because many requests are unable to be fulfilled due to the overwhelming amount of requests received.
Submitting a request only guarantees consideration, it does not guarantee the Browns involvement.
Due to the high volume of requests received, our highest priority is to the Greater Cleveland charities which fall within our focus areas, and thereafter attempting to accommodate as many Northeast Ohio charitable requests as possible. After fulfilling the above priorities, we then consider all requests outside the Northeast Ohio region.
Financial Donation Requests
1) Sponsorship Requests
All sponsorship/financial requests must be submitted in writing at least six (6) weeks in advance of your event. Written requests must be submitted on your organization's official letterhead and include:
a) Organization's Name, Full Address and Telephone Number
b) Tax ID of Charitable Organization
c) Type of Event/Program
d) Contact Person's Name, Full Address and Telephone Number
e) Date, Time and Length of Event
f) Event Location
g) Sponsorship Levels/Charitable Contribution Amount Desired
Please Mail Written Request To:
Cleveland Browns
Community Relations Department
76 Lou Groza Boulevard
Berea, Ohio 44017
You Can Also Fax Your Request To:
Cleveland Browns
Community Relations Department
440.891.7529
Use of the Cleveland Browns name, logos and trademarks and/or any advertising that implies the support or sponsorship of an event by the Browns, The Cleveland Browns Foundation or the NFL, must be approved in writing by the Cleveland Browns. All printed materials that include the Browns marks, must be approved by the Cleveland Browns before going to production and/or distribution.
We are excited about the high level of enthusiasm surrounding the Browns and thank all our fans around the world for their support. Due to the large volume of requests we receive, the Browns have established a statewide policy only for donations of charitable items. Organizations within the state of Ohio with priority to Northeastern Ohio will receive primary consideration of support from the Browns depending on the nature and scope of the event.
2) Foundation Grant Requests
What We Support:
The Cleveland Browns award grants to non-profit organizations and public agencies. When making grants, we seek organizations that are creating significant, lasting and transformational change—to help remove barriers so students of all backgrounds receive high-quality education and development opportunities. A significant portion of our grantmaking is geographically focused on the Northeast Ohio area.
Please be advised that the Cleveland Browns does not fund the following areas:
– Land, building or vehicle purchase
– Endowments
– Political campaigns
– Nonprofit entities not located and operating primarily in the United States
– Conferences, seminars and workshops
– Organizations seeking underwriting for advertising
– Religious organizations (projects to promote religion)
– Loans of any type
– Personal scholarships
– Travel by groups or individuals
– Specific individuals
Grant Process
Organizations interested in seeking grant support from the Cleveland Browns are encouraged to explore our website comprehensively to learn about the foundation and the programs we support.
Grant applications are accepted on an invitation basis only, and funding is focused on supporting 501(c)(3) organizations and programs that align with the Cleveland Brown's mission. The Browns will not fund any group or organization who in policy or practice promotes unfair discrimination.
Make a Donation
All donations to The Cleveland Browns Foundation are appreciated. Your donations are tax deductible and will help thousands of children and youth throughout Northeast Ohio gain access to high-quality education and development opportunities. Ways to donate to The Cleveland Browns Foundation are:
- Send a check to:
Cleveland Browns
Cleveland Browns Foundation
76 Lou Groza Boulevard
Berea, Ohio 44017
2. Donate through our online platform by clicking here.
3. Set the Cleveland Browns Foundation as your favorite charity on Amazon Smile!
Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of your choice. To sign-up, go to smile.amazon.com and select "The Cleveland Browns Foundation" as your favorite charity and purchase the same products you normally would from the site. AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way to support the Cleveland Browns Foundation every time you shop and offers the same products, prices, and service.
Charitable Giving FAQ's
How do I reach the Community Relations Department?
Please call the main line at 440-891-5000
What is the Browns Community Fax number?
440-891-7529
Once I submit my request, will I hear back regardless?
The Browns will correspond with you regarding your request directly on all donation requests, except for grant letter of inquiries (LOI). The Foundation will respond to LOI if the program and/organization fits within the foundation's strategic focus areas and approach, and organizations may be contacted for further information.
What is the turnaround time for In-kind and Sponsorship requests?
4-6 weeks.
If I specify what I want donated in my request, will I get it?
You are not guaranteed the item you requested.
How do I request a player or coach to attend my event?
All requests must be submitted in writing. More information can be found here.
Do you donate tickets to fundraisers?
No, we do not donate tickets for auctions, but submit your request online for further consideration of other opportunities available.
How can I have the Browns Mascot come to my event?
Click here!
Are there deadlines for submitting grant letters of inquiry?
There are no deadlines for submitting letters of inquiry. Letters are accepted on an ongoing basis.
How often may our organization submit a grant letter of inquiry?
An organization may submit a letter of inquiry once per year.
May we email our grant letter of inquiry to you?
At this time, the foundation does not receive letters of inquiry via email. Please submit your letter of inquiry to our mailing address. More Information can be found here*. *
How long before we hear back from the foundation after mailing our letter of inquiry?
Letters of Inquiry will be reviewed by program staff and we respond to letters if the program and/organization fits within the foundation's strategic focus areas and approach. Letters of inquiry are kept on file for one year. After initial review, you may be contacted to set-up a meeting so we can learn more about the organization and/or submit a proposal.
*How do I receive an invitation to apply to the Cleveland Browns Foundation? *All grant inquiries and applications for funding are by invitation only. Regretfully, the foundation is unable to respond to unsolicited requests.
Where can I find more information about the Browns Foundation?
Information on the Cleveland Browns Foundation can be found here.
How do I apply for Brown's Tickets for Kids Program?
Northeast Ohio charitable organizations focused on education and youth development that are interested in applying for the Tickets for Kids Program will need to fill out an application every year. The 2017 application can be found HERE. Your organization will need to provide tax ID number to verify your 501(c)(3) nonprofit status when applying. For those interested in more information on how to register for the program, please contact the Cleveland Browns Foundation at 440-891-5130 or visit our webpage to learn more: http://www.clevelandbrowns.com/community/tickets-for-kids.html.
