Pittsburgh Steelers’ Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger has announced the opening of the 2019 grant cycle of the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund. This marks the 13th season of grants for the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation. The majority of the grants distributed will help police and fire department K-9 units to purchase dogs and dog safety vests, but other types of K-9 specific needs will be considered. 

The Foundation plans to distribute grants in the cities and surrounding communities of each regular season away game for the Steelers during the 2019 NFL season including Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Phoenix, New York City and Baltimore. The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation invites police and fire departments in these eight communities to submit proposals detailing their needs. In addition, the Foundation will make grants to several police and fire department K-9 units in the Pittsburgh area following Super Bowl LIV.

The mission of the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation is to support K-9 units of police and fire departments throughout the United States with a particular emphasis on support for service dogs in Pittsburgh. In addition, the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation has hosted a number of events to benefit the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Roethlisberger’s high school alma mater, and other organizations close to the football star’s heart. The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation has distributed in excess of $2.1 million since 2007, $1.7 million of which has specifically benefited K-9 programs.

Commenting on why the mission of the foundation is so important to him, Roethlisberger said, “We’re very fortunate to be in the position that we are able to help these K-9 units. The work that is performed by the dogs and their handlers as well as the bond that is formed is incredible. We’re just thrilled to do our small part.”

Full grant guidelines and application cover page are available at https://www.givingback.org/ben-roethlisberger-foundation-application-2019/. Applications and supporting documents must be mailed and postmarked by August 15.

For more information about the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation or The Giving Back Fund, please contact Jessica Duffaut or visit www.bigben7.com or www.givingback.org.