General 1 — 49ers Foundation 2021 Annual Report

Partnering for Positive Change in the Bay Area

Building Stronger Communities Through Bay Area Nonprofit Partnerships

49ers Community Relations strives to build stronger communities through partnerships with Bay Area nonprofit organizations forging the path for positive change. Through hands-on service, 49ers players, alumni, ownership and staff volunteer their time to support and encourage marginalized youth and families, those facing medical crises and mental health challenges, at-risk individuals and social justice efforts.

In addition to being champions for youth, the 49ers supported real-life heroes through NFL programs including the Inspire Change social justice initiative, the Crucial Catch cancer awareness campaign presented by Dignity Health, the Salute to Service military appreciation program and My Cause My Cleats presented by Shoe Palace, which highlighted the inspiring work nonprofits are accomplishing for causes players are most passionate about. The 49ers are proud to support those dedicated to serving and unifying the community.

Back in the Community

In-person Community Tuesday events made a welcome return to the 49ers schedule, and players were thrilled to be able to reconnect with our community and local partners. Here are just a few of the highlights from 2021.

PROGRAMS

49ers Read for Justice presented by Newfront

49ers Read for Justice presented by Newfront provided 2,500 copies of The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson to 2nd-5th grade students from Bay Area Boys & Girls Clubs. The books were purchased from a black-owned bookstore, Ashay By The Bay, in Vallejo, CA. Arik Armstead joined 60 Boys & Girls Club students for a reading and discussion about diversity, equity and inclusion at Edenvale Community Center in San Jose, and the rest of the students participated virtually.

Wisdom Sessions

For the second year, General Manager John Lynch and the Personnel Department hosted monthly mentorship sessions with youth from social justice grantee 100 Black Men of the Bay Area (100BMBA). Sessions focused on leadership, alternative careers in sport, nutrition/wellness and social injustices.

Social Justice Grants

In the second year of the 49ers 2020-21 Social Justice grant cycle, our grantees made significant achievements. African American Community Services Agency distributed meals to over 4,250 families experiencing food insecurity, Dream Corps’ inaugural Bay Area TECH cohort graduated, PICO CA helped the passage of three bills that address housing protection and policing reform and SPAAT was selected as an Oakland Unified School District Lead Agency. In September 2021, the 49ers announced a ten-year extension of its commitment to supporting Bay Area and national nonprofits working to advance social justice initiatives with an additional $5 million in grants to be launched Spring 2022.

Mental Health Awareness presented by CalHOPE

Continuing to raise awareness around mental health, nearly 20 players participated in a Suicide Prevention Care Kit Assembly event presented by CalHOPE in support of Find Your Anchor and Lady Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation. Players assembled boxes filled with mental health and suicide prevention resources, including adding a personal handwritten note for community members in need in the Bay Area and beyond. Find Your Anchor received a $5,000 donation from the 49ers that was matched by OL Laken Tomlinson’s Foundation.

Feast with the Niners presented by SAP

In response to food insecurity caused by the ongoing pandemic, the 49ers partnered with Second Harvest Food Bank for Feast with the Niners presented by SAP to host a drive-thru food distribution at Levi’s Stadium. Over 50 volunteers, including Jenna and Mara York, General Manager John Lynch, 49ers Family members and 27 players, joined together to serve 750 families with weekly groceries and Thanksgiving staples including donations from Clover Sonoma and Peet’s Coffee.

Hope for the Holidays presented by U.S. Bank

With many families continuing to feel the financial strain of the pandemic, the 49ers hosted Hope for the Holidays presented by U.S. Bank to fulfill the holiday wish lists of 149 Bill Wilson Center clients including foster youth, domestic violence survivors and underserved families. Jenna and Mara York and 49ers Family members, including Mandy Shanahan and Linda Lynch, helped shop for and wrap the gifts with support from United Airlines while seven players hand-delivered gift baskets to select clients, including a transitional housing program for LGBTQ young adults.

Salute to Service

The 49ers visited the 129th Rescue Wing at Moffett Federal Airfield to kick off Salute to Service month. OL Jake Brendel, OL Laken Tomlinson and DL Darrion Daniels expressed their appreciation for the service members stationed at Moffett and were guided on a tour of the base’s helicopters, planes and pararescue facilities. To thank the military for their service, Brendel, whose sister serves in the Air Force, presented a framed Faithful Flag signed by 49ers coaches and players to the base’s Colonel.

Wheels for Refugees Powered by Cisco Systems, Inc.

The 49ers hosted Wheels for Refugees powered by Cisco Systems, Inc. and partnered with the International Rescue Committee to donate bikes and helmets to support the transportation needs of Afghan refugees. 49ers alumni, staff, Cisco employees and military volunteers who served in Afghanistan came together to build 50 bikes and write welcome notes for refugees set to relocate to the Bay Area. Cisco and its employees donated nearly $10,000 to further support the IRC’s mission as well.

Crucial Catch presented by Dignity Health

Partnering with the American Cancer Society and Okizu for Crucial Catch presented by Dignity Health, 15 players joined cancer warriors for an uplifting afternoon of Topgolf. A highlight included cancer warriors giving players a card with an inspiring message that got them through treatment, and in return, players shared a football with a quote they lean on for motivation.

My Cause My Cleats Presented by Shoe Palace

Highlighting over 30 different nonprofit organizations for My Cause My Cleats presented by Shoe Palace, 34 players took to the field in Week 13 wearing custom cleats that amplified causes close to their hearts. General Manager John Lynch also participated for the John Lynch Foundation and Head Coach Kyle Shanahan raised awareness for multiple myeloma in support of LB Coach Johnny Holland.