PEYBACK FOUNDATION
“Laying the foundation for life long success”
Founded 1999
Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Peyton Manning established the PeyBack Foundation in 1999 to promote the future success of disadvantaged youth by assisting programs that provide leadership and growth opportunities for children at risk. The Foundation focuses its efforts in a three state region and has donated more than $3 million to youth organizations in Indiana, Tennessee and Louisiana since its inception. The Foundation supports numerous organizations and programs through its grant program, but also operates and funds several of its own programs for underprivileged children. The Foundation carefully selects programs that it can support financially and considers the grant program a partnership with these organizations, not just an exchange of money. The Foundation has become a consistent and viable part of the communities of Indiana, Tennessee and Louisiana in terms of underprivileged children.
Peyton not only supports the PeyBack Foundation financially, as President of the foundation, he is active in all major decisions concerning its initiatives and constantly seeks new opportunities and organizations to further the success of the Foundation.
The PeyBack
Foundation’s mission statement is broad, but it allows us to assist as many
children as possible and concentrates on a three-state region (Indiana,
Louisiana and Tennessee). With this mission, the Foundation reaches out to
children of all different backgrounds. Children need opportunities through which
they can grow and learn.
The Foundation strives to make these opportunities available to children who
might not otherwise have the chance to participate and looks strongly upon
abused and neglected children, boys & girls clubs, after-school programs, summer
camps and foster children.
The Foundation has established several programs that are operated and funded
solely by the Foundation. These programs allow us to control the environment
and content for the children.
Peyton established the Foundation with a plan to grow stronger each year, doing
it the right way. He has definitely accomplished that goal but is always
striving to make it better. Peyton emphasizes to Foundation representatives to
proceed slowly so programs are done professionally with maximum benefit to the
children and we are in our ninth year of organizing our own programs and events.
In certain cases, the
Foundation will buy and deliver groceries, toys, assist in disaster relief plus
much more. The Foundation hosts special celebrations at a children’s hospital or
just help a needy child with a winter coat. The direct approach has been very
beneficial. The Foundation always strives to improve existing programs and
formulate new programs that can have the same type of impact.
The Foundation has a Resource Council of 15 business and community leaders from
Indianapolis, Knoxville, and New Orleans to provide assistance and awareness of
local agencies, which could use financial assistance from the Foundation. The
Resource Council meets once a year with Peyton to discuss the Foundation and new
programs or events to be involved with for the year. The Foundation is in
constant communication throughout the year with the Resource Council via email,
mail and Foundation events. The Foundation’s Executive Director meets with
numerous organizations each year to hear their needs and plan for the upcoming
year. It is the initial step that translates into a simple event or program for
that organization.
The following is a description of different Foundation sponsored activities.
Grant Program
The Foundation distributes grant money annually to organizations in Indiana,
Tennessee and Louisiana. To date, we have given out more than $3 million
dollars, including our largest distribution of funds, $606,000 in 2008. Requests
for grants are accepted from all agencies and organizations actively advancing
the welfare of disadvantaged children.
PeyBack Classic
PeyBack Classic IX will be Friday, August 22 at the newly built Lucas Oil
Stadium in Indianapolis. We are extremely excited to be the first event held in
the new stadium, so it is going to be extra special for all in attendance. Very
few high school football teams have an opportunity to play in a professional
stadium and by participating in the PeyBack Classic; these young men get to
experience playing on the same field as their heroes. The Foundation pays for
all the fees for this event. Each school receives a portion of the ticket sales.
True Heroes
The True Heroes program is a partnership between the Foundation and Peyton
Manning Children's Hospital at St. Vincent’s in which there are several events
per year, either at the hospital or off hospital grounds. Peyton and Ashley
also visit the hospital several times a year.
PeyBack Award
The PeyBack Award honors a former or current NFL player who exhibits character,
integrity and honor and who has given back to the game and society. Past winners
include Roger Staubach, Dan Marino, Connie Payton Derrick Brooks and Marshall
Faulk. This year’s award will be given out at the annual PeyBack Bowl in August.
Ticket Incentive Program
The Foundation has a ticket incentive program in which they donate 50 tickets to
each Colts home game to youth organizations. We ask that each organization
create an incentive program for children to earn their way to go to the games.
Flag Football
The Foundation partners with Child Advocates in the annual Flag Football game,
in which these children get to play on a team coached by Peyton and some of his
teammates.
Holiday Programs
At the holidays, the Foundation hosts a number of programs in Indianapolis, Knoxville and New Orleans. At Thanksgiving, they distributed 700 bags of groceries to families in need. Holiday programs for thousands of children are in all three cities. Peyton purchases thousands of dollars of toys for a local toy drive.
Summer Program
In 2008, the Foundation is hosted a new event, a summer fun day at the Indianapolis zoo. More than 1000 children from youth based organizations will enjoy a free day at the zoo. The Foundation will also provide lunch for all children and chaperones.
PeyBack Bowl
Peyton has hosted the PeyBack Bowl every year since it began in 2003. The event has raised over $1.2 million for the Foundation. Manning and other celebrities hit the bowling lanes to raise money for underprivileged children in Indianapolis. Celebrities have included national recording artist Kenny Chesney, Pacers’ Reggie Miller, legendary musician John Mellencamp, Base Ball Hall or Famer Cal Ripkin Jr., Indianapolis Colts head Coach Tony Dungy, several of the starters of the Colts, ESPN analysts Tom Jackson and Mike Golic along with many other NBA players, IRL drivers, and college basketball coaches.