Ginn Elite Youth Sports, Akron Bengals Youth Football and Kent Youth Football & Cheer Named 2026 Leo Murphy Field & Equipment Grant Recipients


CLEVELAND – Ginn Elite Youth Sports, Akron Bengals Youth Football and Kent Youth Football & Cheer have been named 2026 recipients of the Leo Murphy Field & Equipment Grant, the Cleveland Touchdown Club Charities (CTCC) announced on April 16.

The Leo Murphy Field & Equipment Grant is named after the late longtime Cleveland Browns trainer and Honorary Lifetime Member of CTCC, Leo Murphy. With the awarding of $7,500 in grants in 2025, the program has now supported 31 programs by awarding $112,000 in grants since 2013.

“Supporting youth football in Northeast Ohio is an investment in the next generation of leaders, fostering resilience, teamwork, and community spirit,” CTCC President Dallas Moyer said. “We have seen record application numbers over the last two years, signaling to our board that the need for support is greater than ever, and these programs represent so many giving local youth an opportunity to build succeed in sports and in life.”

Ginn Elite Youth Sports, located in Cleveland, Ohio, will receive a $3,500 grant this year to support the purchasing of new football equipment. Ginn Elite is a community-centered youth football organization committed to developing well-rounded student-athletes both on and off the field. The organization serves approximately 500 athletes ages 6-14 years of age from diverse backgrounds, with a strong focus on youth from underserved communities in the City of Cleveland.

“On behalf of Ginn Elite Youth Sports, we would like to sincerely thank you for selecting our organization as a grant recipient this year,” Michael Edwards, Jr., Co-founder of Ginn Elite Youth Sports, said. “We truly appreciate Cleveland Touchdown Club Charities’ support and commitment to youth development in our community.

Akron Bengals Youth Football, located in Akron, Ohio, serves youth ages 4-13 from the City of Akron and surrounding Summit County communities. The program provides a safe, inclusive, and structured environment that promotes health living, character development, academic accountability, and leadership for youth who might otherwise lack access to such opportunities. The Akron Bengals will receive a grant for $3,000 for new and reconditioned equipment, field refurbishment and a stipend for a certified trainer.

“The Cleveland Touchdown Club Charities’ $3,000 grant is a meaningful investment in the future of the Akron Bengals Youth Football and Cheer team. It will directly enhance our ability to provide safe equipment, expand opportunities for underserved youth, and strengthen the overall experience for every player in our program,” Donte Swain, Sr., Akron Bengals Youth Football Director, said. “We are truly grateful for this support, as it not only uplifts our organization but also reinforces our mission to positively impact the lives of young athletes and the community we serve.”

Kent Youth Football & Cheer, located in Kent, Ohio, is a non-profit organization focused on providing youth opportunities to engage in healthy competition with proper physical training, adequate protective equipment and qualified adult guidance. The program serves nearly 90 youth ages 6-12 year of age and represents CTCC’s first grant recipient from Portage County. Kent Youth Football will receive a $1,000 grant to help cover the costs of helmet reconditioning, new uniforms and field fees and equipment.

“We are very honored and grateful to receive this grant from The Cleveland Touchdown Club Charities,” Kent Youth Football & Cheer President Stephanie Cognata shared. “With this grant, we will be able to ensure that our youth have the proper and safe equipment needed for a safe and successful season.”

All three programs will be honored this summer at the annual Gene Hickerson Memorial Golf Outing. This year’s event will be held on Friday, July 12, at Bunker Hill Golf Course in Medina, Ohio. Visit our event page for more information on registration and sponsorship opportunities.

Leo Murphy Memorial Field & Equipment Grant eligibility is limited to 501(c)(3) non-profit youth organizations and local schools in Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina, Portage and Summit counties. Grant funds are designated to make improvements to equipment and/or facilities, and to help improve the safety and overall quality of those programs.