May 31, 2024 – Highline Public Schools has been awarded $250,000 by the Seattle Seahawks through the National Football League Foundation Grassroots Program for a new synthetic turf field at Burien's Highline Memorial Stadium. In celebration, the school district hosted a groundbreaking ceremony today at Highline Memorial Field.

The NFL Foundation Grassroots Program – a partnership between the NFL Foundation and LISC, the nation's leading community development support organization – has supported the construction or renovation of 431 football fields nationwide since 1998. During that time, the NFL Foundation has granted nearly $61.8 million to revitalize playing fields in underserved neighborhoods. Fields are newly built or significantly renovated, with improvements such as irrigation systems, lights, bleachers, scoreboards, goal posts, and turf. Grassroots grants are issued once established funding thresholds are reached for each project.

LISC identifies local, nonprofit, community-based agencies interested in building or refurbishing football fields in schools and neighborhood parks. Through the program, local agencies receive the necessary financing and technical assistance to improve the quality and safety of fields in their communities. The agencies oversee the construction, maintenance, and programming of the fields.

"We are honored to partner with Highline Public Schools and the Seahawks to invest in the community's new football field," said Lauren McGowan, Executive Director of LISC Puget Sound. "The field will be a part of something special in a proud community and will be used by local football teams, host community youth athletic events, and serve intergenerational programming that will support Highline Public Schools in providing their students and community with the best opportunities for success."

Highline Public Schools expressed gratitude to the NFL/LISC Grassroots Program and the support of the Seattle Seahawks for this $250,000 grant, which helps replace the aging synthetic field at Highline Memorial Stadium. The district is proud to be the first in the state to include permanent field lines for a new girls' flag football program, along with lines for football and soccer.

The Seahawks are proud to partner with LISC and the NFL Foundation to award this grant to Highline Public Schools," said Mario Bailey, Seahawks Vice President of Community Engagement & Legends. "One of our key community missions is to empower our local youth with equitable access to sports and to encourage and celebrate a love for the game of football. Sometimes just having a place to play is the biggest hurdle, so we are excited about the opportunity a new first-class playing surface will provide for the young athletes at Highline and the larger community for years to come."

About the NFL Foundation

The National Football League Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of those touched by the game of football – from players at all levels to communities across the country. The NFL Foundation and its members, the 32 NFL clubs, support the health, safety, and wellness of athletes, youth football, and the communities that support our game. For more information visit NFL Foundation

About LISC

LISC forges resilient and inclusive communities of opportunity across America – great places to live, work, visit, do business, and raise families. LISC is one of the largest community development organizations in the country and the largest nonprofit community development financial institution.

LISC is committed to racial equity and greater access to opportunity in low-wealth communities, many of which are Black, Indigenous, and communities of color. We recently relaunched the LISC Puget Sound to advance housing, economic, and racial justice by accelerating affordable housing, economic development, and wealth-building opportunities in the Puget Sound region.

Since 1979:

• $32 billion invested
• $87 billion leveraged
• 506,302 affordable homes and apartments
• 82.5 million square feet of commercial and community space

For more information, visit LISC