The Eagles Autism Foundation raised more than $10 million last year. It’s needed ‘now more than ever,’ Jeffrey Lurie says.
That amount represents the highest one-year total for the foundation. It will help fund 54 research and community projects.
With its soft motion-sensor lights, bubble walls, bean bag chairs, and custom tactile artwork, the sensory room at Lincoln Financial Field showcases the Eagles Autism Foundation’s work to create an inclusive environment for those with autism.
There’s more work behind the scenes that many don’t get the chance to see. This year, the Eagles Autism Foundation is contributing $10.8 million in funding to 54 research and community projects specializing in autism research and care, the largest amount raised to date by the foundation.
“This was a huge milestone for us. It was the first year we raised over $10 million,” said Ryan Hammond, executive director of the Eagles Autism Foundation.
“The fact that we can be a model to an inclusive fan experience, inclusive recreation opportunities, inclusive employment, all of those things are just as important as the science,” she said. “We’re impacting people every day by feeling included — whether it’s a family seeing our mascot wearing headphones and their son wearing headphones, they feel seen.”
The funding comes from foundation-related initiatives throughout the year, including the Eagles Autism Challenge and events like Jason Kelce’s annual celebrity bartending event in Sea Isle City.
“It is rewarding to know that our financial investment this year will support the next generation of scientific researchers and leaders who are all working hard to accelerate treatment for the autism community,” Eagles owner Jeffrey Lurie said. “While we are proud to celebrate another record-setting year for the Eagles Autism Foundation, it comes at an unfortunate time where too many institutions are having their funding cut. Now more than ever, we need to invest in science and prioritize those who need our help.”
In the last year, President Donald Trump’s administration has cut some funding for autism research, with one of the biggest cuts occurring at the Department of Education.
“To know that we were making [our] largest investment in science at a time that it’s the most needed is a point of not only pride, but motivation to continue to support and serve this community,” Hammond said. “Funding science is critical, and a lot of institutions are faced with challenges with losing funding from the federal government.”
As the foundation grows, so does the interest from potential research partners. This year, the Eagles Autism Foundation received a record 267 letters of intent for research grant funding. A scientific adviser helped review each letter, taking innovation and measurable outcomes into consideration to narrow the pool down to 52 proposals.
Each proposal was assigned to an independent team of scientists for review. Then, Dr. Emanuel DiCicco-Bloom, who serves as the foundation’s scientific adviser and chairman of its review panel, and others take part in a two-day active discussion at Lurie’s home to negotiate the strengths, weaknesses, and challenges of each project.
“Being able to go through this process that’s not only rigorous but also transparent makes me feel like we’re doing a service on behalf of every single person who agreed to support our mission,” Hammond said. “I‘m filled with hope that these projects are really going to change someone’s life.”
Added Lurie: “We are beyond grateful for Dr. DiCicco-Bloom and his esteemed panel of colleagues for putting in the time, once again, to evaluate these projects and drive meaningful progress in autism research.”
This year, the foundation will fund 13 pilot grants, four postdoctoral fellowships, and three translational grants that include a three-year investment for research. The four postdoctoral fellowships will support the work at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and the University of Pennsylvania, both partners in the Lurie Autism Institute, which was founded last year after the Lurie family donated $50 million to CHOP and Penn Medicine.
In addition to funding autism research, grants were given to dozens of local projects that provide an immediate need in the community and align with the Eagles Autism Foundation’s mission.
Since 2018, the Eagles Autism Foundation has invested more than $40 million in 223 research projects and community grants. To Hammond, this is just the beginning.
“Honestly, the sky is really the limit,” Hammond said. “What we’ve been able to see in such a short time has been incredible. … We’re continuing to drive a more inclusive future for everyone.”
Where is all the money going?
The Eagles Autism Foundation will divide the $10.8 million in funds among 54 research and community projects:
Research institutions
Local: The A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (two postdoctoral fellowships and a translational grant), and the University of Pennsylvania (two postdoctoral fellowships).
National/global: Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital — Harvard Medical School, Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles, Children’s National, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Stanford University, Stony Brook University, University of California San Francisco, University of Geneva, University of Iowa, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Community projects and initiatives
Local: KIPP Philadelphia Public Schools, A Step Up Academy, Carousel Connections, Huddle Up for Autism, KultureCity Barefoot Country Music Fest, Coffee Closet with Barista Jake, Office for People with Disabilities (City of Philadelphia), Penn State Health, Philadelphia Orchestra, Philadelphia Zoo, Saint Joseph’s University, CASA Youth Advocates, Special Olympics Pennsylvania, SPIN, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children, St. John of God Community Services, Stratford Friends School, TGR Learning Lab, Timothy School, Theatre Horizon, Thomas Jefferson University, and Variety — The Children’s Charity of the Delaware Valley, Comprehensive Learning Center, Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health, Elwyn Foundation, KultureCity Super Bowl LIX, Melmark, Neurodiversity Employment Network, No Limits Café, Pathway School, Potential Inc., Raise the Bar Family Services, Shore Medical Center, Special Equestrians.