In keeping with its secondary mission of helping its own, the NFL Alumni has teamed with the NFL to establish a Dire Need Charitable Trust with the express purpose of providing assistance to former NFL players and coaching staff members suffering from financial or medical hardship. Eligible players are selected through an application and review process that ascertains need for medical attention, shelter and other life necessities. Medical necessities receive the highest consideration.

NFL Alumni Dire Need grant applications are considered on a case-by-case basis, with reference to the following eligibility guidelines.

• Applicant must be a former NFL player or NFL coach with at least two credited seasons of NFL play or employment, and such player's or former coach's spouse and children are eligible.
• Applicant does not have to be a member of the NFL Alumni organization.
• Applicant's adjusted gross income during each of the past two years must not exceed $50,000 annually.
• Examples of dire need include but are not restricted to shelter and other life necessities. Medical needs are preferred to other dire needs.
• First-time applicants will be preferred to repeat applicants.
• Applicants who have received more than two dire need grants in the past will not be eligible for further grants absent extraordinary circumstances.

• Name, address and telephone number.
• Employer's name, address and telephone number.
• Current job and description of any other job(s) held during the past three years.
• NFL affiliation and season played or employed.
• Description of dire need and amount requested.
• Identity of creditor to whom funds would be paid.
• Tax returns for self and spouse for past two years.
• Net worth statement (list of assets/property and liability/debts).
• Copies of additional documents that may be relevant or helpful, such as doctor's letter, bank statement, foreclosure notice, eviction notice, etc.