a letter from the board

It is no secret that the past year has been challenging for everyone: parents and children, employers and employees, teachers and students. We faced tremendous struggle, hardship, and loss brought on by the pandemic. Furthermore, the events of the past year laid bare the levels of inequality that persist in our society and have gone unaddressed for far too long. Our communities recognized problems, strengthened, and persevered through it all.

Early in the pandemic, our 49ers team understood that we needed to continue what we do best: get everyone together and get on “the field” to support our communities. That is exactly what we did.

For over 30 years, we have prioritized serving populations that lack equitable access to important resources. While 2020 forced us to alter our resource delivery strategy, our mission remained focused on educating and empowering Bay Area youth. Much like the rest of the world, we took an industry, relying so heavily on in-person events, activities, and experiences, and shifted into a virtual environment. We also changed our community approach by honing our listening skills, recalibrating our strategies, and developing completely new initiatives for those in need.

Both 49ers EDU – our STEAM education program – and 49ers PREP – our flag football and healthy living program – quickly rallied to deliver a host of digital offerings that allowed us to continue supporting students, teachers, coaches, and parents. In some ways, we even expanded our reach! We listened to the challenges our communities were facing and responded in real-time by adapting lessons and content to fit their needs, all while making sure our offerings were widely available to youth of all demographics.

Our Foundation team huddled up to improve our fundraising tactics. After many years of in-person experiences, we raised funds through a whole new array of virtual ones: cooking classes, auctions, raffles, and sweepstakes, to name a few. These events were not only fun, but helped raise the funds needed to serve the community. And we didn't stop there. Our Community Relations team continued to have an in-person presence in The Bay. From delivering coffee and food to medical professionals, to providing supplies for those affected by the massive stretch of wildfires, we masked up and set out to help.

As the needs of our local communities expanded, it was you – the Faithful – that always supported our work. Our family has witnessed, and been inspired by, the heart, hope, and resiliency of you all. We hope the significance of this impact report demonstrates your crucial role in the outcomes of the 49ers programs. As we look ahead, know our ears are always open and we recognize your hearts are generous.