The former iconic quarterback of the Indianapolis Colts was emcee for the fifth Celebration of Caring Gala, which benefits the Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St. Vincent.

During a 15-minute session with the local media, Manning fielded questions that ranged from his commitment to giving back to the local community to his growing comfort as the Broncos’ new QB.

And, oh yes, the topic of Andrew Luck was broached.

From April 18, 1998 until March 7 when the Colts released the NFL’s only four-time MVP, Manning had been the team’s epicenter. The torch officially was passed to Luck on April 26 when the team used the first overall pick in the draft to take the former Stanford standout.

“I think he’ll fit in perfectly,” Manning said. “He’s a great player. He’s a great kid. I’ve talked to him, and I know he’s excited about getting started.

“I can remember that same feeling I had as a rookie.”

It was an odd day. A few hours before Manning met with the media, Luck was doing the same after a morning practice at the Colts’ Northwestside complex.

The past and the present/future of the franchise were going about their business just a few miles apart.

“I know he’s excited about being here,” Manning said. “I wish him nothing but the best.”

Manning’s was anything but an unbiased viewpoint. Luck is one of many top-level quarterbacks who either have attended the Manning Passing Academy as a camper or served as a counselor. In fact, he’s done both.

“Andrew attended our camp,” Manning said, his smile growing, “which is really the reason he was the first pick in the draft, because of the coaching he got as a camper back in the day.”

On a personal note, Manning made it clear he’ll be ready for the Broncos’ Sept. 9 regular-season opener against Pittsburgh. Contributing to the Colts’ decision to release him were four procedures on his neck in a 19-month stretch, the last of which forced him to miss the 2011 season.

“I feel good. Working hard, working hard. Busy,” Manning said. “You kind of feel like a rookie again, learning a whole new offense. Unfortunately, you’re not allowed to play like a rookie.”

Manning also vowed to remain involved in the local community through his PeyBack Foundation — there soon will be a $250,000 donation to Indiana charities– and St. Vincent. But his wife, Ashley, and children Mosley and Marshall will join him in Denver.

“I believe in living where you’re playing,” he said.

Even so, Manning made the most of his return to Indianapolis. Friday night, there was a get-together with former teammates that included Manning, Jeff Saturday, Austin Collie, Dallas Clark, Anthony Gonzalez and Gary Brackett.

It offered an opportunity to “reflect on some of the good memories,” he said. “We try to reflect how special it was. You always have a connection there.”

Article featured in the Sunday, May 6, 2012 edition of The Indianapolis Star.  Written by Mike Chappell.

Manning was presented with the Thomas W. Moses Good Scout Award, which honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the community, state, or nation, and who exemplify Scouting values.  Aside from his many outstanding achievements on the football field, the Boy Scouts recognize and appreciate that Peyton Manning has had a vision and passion to help those less fortunate and give back to the communities that have given him so much.  Additionally, during his rookie year with the Colts, Manning served as the Honorary Chair for Scouting’s membership campaign, encouraging boys and their families to begin the Scouting adventure.   

In 2011, The PeyBack Foundation awarded a grant to Crossroads of America Council to help establish several inner city Cub Scout packs and Boy Scouts troops along with financial assistance for summer camp. 

Boy Scouts of America is a youth development organization that is designed to prepare young people to make ethical and moral decisions throughout their lifetimes.  The goals of Scouting consist of citizenship training, character development and personal fitness.  Throughout the Boy Scout program, young people are encouraged to advance through ranks by fulfilling requirements in the areas of leadership, service and outdoor skills. Crossroads of America Council is a United Way agency. To get more information on Scouting, visit www.becomeascout.org.

The PeyBack Foundation funds various programs in Indiana, Louisiana and Tennessee.  We are excited to add Colorado to our giving area beginning with our grant program in 2013.  The Foundation has distributed more than $4.3 million in grants since 2002, including $800,000 in May 2011 to 147 youth based organizations. The deadline for grant applications is February 1^st each year. The 2013 PeyBack Foundation Grant Application will be available in the fall.

The PeyBack Foundation focuses primarily on economically disadvantaged youth. Emphasis is placed on programs that have a direct benefit to children through relationships and activities. Programs that are intended to enrich the lives of disadvantaged youth through activities conducted outside the typical school day (i.e., after-school and summer programming) are particularly favored by the Foundation.

Our field of interest is in youth development. This includes:

Leadership and Life Skills - We are interested in supporting interactive programs that develop leadership skills and enhance character. Examples of programs: teaching youth how to identify their career or educational goal so they can become self sufficient; or programs that teach respect of self and others and provide cultural opportunities.

Mentoring – We are interested in programs that provide a caring adult who is working with disadvantaged youth. Programs include homework assistance, character building, improving self-esteem and confidence. The Foundation is interested in funding activities and programs that occur within the mentoring relationship, not adult volunteer training or recruitment.

After School/Summer Programming – The Foundation is especially interested in supporting programs that occur outside of a typical school day; i.e. after-school and summer programming.

Healthy Living – We are interested in programs that engage youth in physical activity and provide nutritious snacks and/or meals for youth participants. Consideration will be provided to programs that supply the necessary tools for a child to succeed educationally outside of the typical school environment.

PeyBack Foundation Grant Review Guidelines

1. If your organization has been funded three years in a row (2009, 2010, 2011) we ask that you wait until the grant cycle due date of February 2013 to apply again.
2. Requests for funding are limited to one request per organization.
3. Other than what is requested no additional materials are to be submitted with the application, i.e., brochures, pictures, articles, etc.
4. It is mandatory that grant applications come from organizations that work with children who are economically disadvantaged. A good indicator of being economically disadvantaged is if youth participate in the free and reduced lunch program at school. The National School Lunch program provides free lunches to students whose family income is below 130% of the federal poverty line; it offers reduced-price lunches to students who family income is between 130% and 185% of the poverty line.
5. Organizations must work with children between the ages of 5-18.
6. Grant making policy places emphasis on programs rather than operating support. The PeyBack Foundation will provide funding to support program-specific expenses, not general administrative expenses of an organization.
7. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
8. Contributions are limited to organizations in Indiana, Louisiana, and Tennessee.  Beginning in 2013, applications will be accepted from youth-based ogranizations in Colorado as well.
9. Grant is limited to a maximum of $15,000 although most grants funded are in the $10,000 range.
10. The Foundation prefers not to be the only financial resource for a program. Applications demonstrating collaborative efforts with partnering organizations will be given priority.
11. Organization’s name that is applying for grant must be the name on the 501(c) 3 documentation – if not, there must be a letter from the organization (on their letterhead) on the 501(c) 3 documentation stating the relationship between the applying organization and theirs.

Thank you to all my fans for the continued support. 

–Peyton Manning