Due to the overwhelming number of requests ESPN receives, these guidelines are meant to assist organizations in understanding the company's charitable priorities.
Funding Priorities
ESPN responds to needs in the community proactively and strategically. Grants and financial support are focused on four areas:
Good Neighbor - We strive to be a good neighbor in the communities where we live, work and play by directing our charitable giving towards programs and organizations that provide social services to those in greatest need; make arts and cultural experiences accessible; work to protect and preserve the environment for generations to come.
Access to Sports - We hope to create positive social change by providing funding to scale out and develop curriculum for nonprofit youth sports programs; acquire sports equipment to enable youth sports programs; create or refurbish safe spaces to play sports.
Leadership Through Sports - We strive to enable leadership through sports by supporting programs that seek to improve the lives of youth; foster physical development, leadership, self-confidence and life skills; utilize sports as a vehicle for empowerment to bridge gender inequalities, improve educational success, enhance economic opportunities, and foster social inclusion of marginalized groups; and/or empower youth innovation and creativity in technology and journalism to develop the next generation of leaders.
Environmental Sustainability - We invest resources in organizations that are working to protect and preserve the places where our fans, employees and communities will play sports for generations to come.
Included in our approach to being a responsible business is ensuring that the grants we make reflect the inclusiveness and diversity of the communities where we live, work and play.
Eligible Organizations
ESPN will consider organizations meeting the following eligibility criteria.
Required:
Electronically verifiable in the IRS Business Master File or National Center for Education Statistics database
U.S. Patriot Act compliant
Organizations outside of the U.S. must be able to document their nonprofit status
Other criteria:
Organizations that our employees have volunteered with and have been supported by the company
Organizations that create sustainable community improvement and are national in scale
Ineligible Organizations
ESPN receives many more requests than it can support. When a request is denied, it does not imply that the applicant's program is not vital or valued. It may be that the request does not fall within our giving guidelines or focus areas, or that all charitable funds for the year have been allocated.
Organizations Considered Ineligible
Organizations including private schools, that have not been granted tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code or international equivalency, or that are not a K-12 public school or school district
Social, labor union, alumni, or trade associations, fraternal or political organizations, or organizations serving a limited constituency
Faith-based organizations or religious programs whose principal purpose is promulgating a particular religious faith, creed or doctrine
Organizations that discriminate in the provision of services unlawfully or in a manner inconsistent with ESPN's policies on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, marital status, mental or physical ability, or sexual orientation
Organizations that are actively engaged in highly controversial issues or use controversial tactics to advocate their position. A controversial issue is a serious matter for which different segments of the community have strong opposing positions and that has an impact on society or its institutions. A controversial tactic is an unlawful activity, or an extreme action that intentionally damages or threatens people or property
Organizations that operate or support activities that are counter to the policies of The Walt Disney Company
Ineligible Requests
Conferences, seminars and workshops
Capital campaigns or endowments
Private foundations
Underwriting for program sponsorship
Multi-year commitments
Publications, films or television programs
Campaigns to eliminate or control specific diseases
Scholarships, sponsorships and financial aid assistance programs to colleges and universities due to ESPN providing on-air exposure and television rights to the NCAA, conferences and colleges
Political causes, candidates, organizations or campaigns
Books, magazines or articles in professional journals
Traveling exhibitions (will consider on a case-by-case basis)
Amateur or professional sports team sponsorships
Travel by groups or individuals
Organizations seeking underwriting for advertising
Dinners, galas, benefits or other fundraising events
Individual needs, including scholarships, sponsorships and other forms of financial aid
Ineligible Uses and Recipients
Sponsorships or donations for individuals or teams (for example, walk-a-thons, contests, pageants, scholarships, or ambassador programs)
Activities or efforts such as competitions, recognition events, holiday parties, door prizes, giveaways, and reward or other incentive programs
Donations for families or individuals
Individuals or organizations raising funds on behalf of another benefiting group
Donations that will be used in online auctions or broadcast promotions
Footage Requests
Requests for footage aired on ESPN, Inc. networks will be considered on a selected basis for fulfillment by ESPN to nonprofit organizations that are certified tax-exempt under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue codes. Requests should be submitted to teamespn@espn.com. All requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and must meet the following criteria:
Valid, current copy of the internal Revenue Federal tax-exempt letter showing 501(c)(3) status
Video should not be available for sale
Footage should not include appearance of ESPN logo and/or trademarks
Distribution not permitted to theaters, networks, cable distribution or outside entities unless approved by ESPN, Inc.
Copy of the video that includes requested footage should be submitted to Corporate Citizenship department prior to or after event date
Specific indication of length, time and frequency of use
Usage for fundraising events only (e.g., highlighted in dinner, tournament, etc.)
Three week turnaround (due to legal department administration) after request is submitted
Holding footage on a permanent basis subject to approval by Corporate Communications
Speaking Engagement Requests
Requests for ESPN talent to participate in speaking engagements (e.g., dinners, luncheons, award ceremonies, etc.) should be submitted in writing to teamespn@espn.com. Organizations should note the following guidelines:
ESPN Commentators may be willing to participate in speaking engagements depending on their on-air, professional calendar.
Requesting organization must forward all requests at least 6 weeks prior to the date of the event.
Requesting organization must provide detailed letter of the event including event topic, nature of request, logistics, audience profile, number of attendees and length of presentation
Requests for commentators appearances during unforeseen programming circumstances are subject to availability and may be cancelled due to sudden news of a scheduling conflict
Organizations must have an alternate plan in the event ESPN talent are not able to attend
Organizations should indicate two or more alternate commentators to participate in the event/program should requested talent not be available
In the event of an emergency, ESPN will notify organization if commentator cannot attend the event
Requesting organization must notify ESPN within 48 hours if event is canceled or postponed
Requests from for-profit organizations will be deferred to commentator or agent directly
Disney Park Ticket Requests
Disney has joined with Points of Light - the world's largest organization dedicated to volunteer service - to reward eligible US nonprofit organization with complimentary Disney parks tickets for hosting familyfriendly volunteering* activities. Through this program:
Eligible nonprofit organizations and schools (501c3 or NCES) in the U.S. are able to earn up to 20 tickets per calendar year when they create and complete opportunities for family volunteer activities aimed at strengthening local communities. Page 3 Global Charitable Giving Guidelines July 17, 2018
Volunteer projects can benefit the organization directly, the community or another nonprofit organization that meets program guidelines.
Tickets earned are based on the actual number of individuals who participate in the event according to a scale. For example, a project with 15-34 volunteers will earn 5 theme park tickets; 35 - 74 will earn 10 tickets, and 75 and beyond earns the maximum of 20 tickets.
Nonprofit organizations may conduct multiple family volunteer projects during a calendar year to earn up to the 20 park ticket maximum.
Eligible organizations can register, create and manage projects, track family volunteers, and complete approved projects at http://pointsoflight.org/disneyrewards/
Ticket Usage Guidelines
Tickets may be used to reward volunteers, as a contest prize, for charitable fundraising purposes, or in other ways that support the organization's mission.
Tickets may not be sold or bartered.
Tickets will be sent directly (no alternate addresses) to the nonprofit organization within 60 days after completion of the family volunteer event.
Ineligible Uses and Recipients
Sponsorships or donations for individuals, teams or organizations raising funds on behalf of another benefiting group (e.g., walk-a-thons, contests, pageants, scholarships, or ambassador programs).
Activities or efforts such as competitions, recognition events, holiday parties, door prizes, giveaways, and reward or other incentive programs.
Donations for families or individuals.
The ticket donation program for Walt Disney World and Disneyland is open only to eligible nonprofits in the US. The Walt Disney Company may, at its discretion, invite eligible nonprofit organizations outside the US to visit a Disney theme park by invitation only. *For more information on the Ticket Reward Program including family friendly guidelines, visit http://pointsoflight.org/disneyrewards/
We do not accept unsolicited applications.