Braylon Edwards Foundation

New York/Jersey Support: The Braylon Edwards Foundation is committed to New York and New Jersey communities. The Foundation supports New York Jets community relations initiatives, as well as independent projects.

Advance 100: The Braylon Edwards Foundation launched the Advance 100 program in 2007 as a commitment to the youth of Cleveland. The program includes $1 million in academic scholarships to the Cleveland Municipal School District (CMSD). Students in the program have been provided with mentoring, tutoring and “life skills” workshops. Participants are required to maintain a grade point average of 2.5 or better and to accumulate at least 15 hours of community service each year, while displaying exemplary citizenship and conduct. To date, 13 Advance 100 students have graduated (from high school year early) and received scholarships. The remaining students will graduate in 2011.

Feed the Children: The Braylon Edwards Foundation has supported Feed the Children/Focus:Hope for the past 3 years. In total the Foundation has provided food packages for over 4,000 families in metro-Detroit. Braylon’s work has been so impactful that he was presented with the “Spirit of Detroit Award” by interim mayor, Kenneth Cockrel, Jr. at last year’s event

Check out 2009 photos

Check out 2008 photos

Braylon Edwards has also received the “Proclamation Awards” by the Office of the Mayor of the City of Detroit, the “Detroit City Council Testimonial Resolution”, the “State of Michigan Certificate of Tribute” and the “Wayne County Office of the Executive Certificate of Recognition”.

Turkeys and Toys 2010: The Braylon Edwards Foundation hosted “Turkeys & Toys 2009” benefitting Focus: HOPE and Big Brothers Big Sisters families on Dec. 15, 2009 Focus: HOPE Conference Center. Attendees received a food package that includes a turkey with side dishes, and a toy package for each child.

Athletic Scholarship: Braylon Edwards has created a $500,000 gift to create a scholarship endowment for football players/students at the University of Michigan, wearing the number one. The gift is the largest pledged to the department by a current professional athlete, and links the Braylon Edwards Foundation to the No. 1 jersey. The endowment will be awarded to the Michigan football player who wears the No. 1 jersey. If no player currently wears the No. 1 jersey, then the award will be granted to another player who exhibits exceptional off-field behavior and conducts himself as a team player.

Boys Hope Girls Hope, Reggie McKenzie Foundation, Detroit Institute of Art, Detroit Impact Centers with Gail Perry-Mason and Detroit Music Hall, and The Sphinx Foundation: The Braylon Edwards Foundation has made donations and participated in initiatives that the non-profits mentioned above have asked support of.

Staff Commitment to the Community: In addition to the work that Braylon does, the staff of the Braylon Edwards Foundation volunteer at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metropolitan Detroit at a mentor (Big), Leukemia, Research, Life, Inc. (of Children’s Hospital of Michigan), Detroit Synergy (an organization that creates programs and events that present the City of Detroit in a positive light, and serve on the board of Boys Hope Girls Hope (a Detroit-based non-profit that is a youth home that provides housing, counseling and enrollment/scholarships to metro-Detroit’s top private schools).