Month of Giving Supports Local Causes Through the Cleveland Browns

In the heart of Cleveland, where football isn’t just a sport but a community bond, the Cleveland Browns have long used their platform to lift up local residents—and their annual “Month of Giving” campaign stands as a shining example of that commitment. Launched in 2018, the initiative transforms November into a month of targeted philanthropy, pairing the team, its players, and its fans with grassroots organizations tackling critical issues: food insecurity, youth development, housing instability, and access to healthcare. What began as a small collection drive has grown into a citywide movement, raising millions of dollars in donations and thousands of volunteer hours over the years. For a franchise that prides itself on “football with purpose,” the Month of Giving isn’t just a PR effort—it’s a way to honor the trust fans place in the team by investing directly in the neighborhoods that support them. Month of Giving Supports Local Causes Through the Cleveland Browns explores how this campaign has become a cornerstone of the Browns’ community impact, the key projects it funds, and the way it unites players and fans around a shared mission.

Month of Giving Supports Local Causes Through the Cleveland Browns begins with the campaign’s core focus: fighting food insecurity, one of Cleveland’s most pressing challenges. Each November, the Browns partner with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank—the largest hunger-relief organization in Northeast Ohio—to host food drives at FirstEnergy Stadium, local grocery stores, and team-sponsored events. In 2025 alone, the campaign collected over 50,000 pounds of non-perishable food and raised $250,000 in monetary donations, enough to provide more than 625,000 meals to families in need. Players play a hands-on role: quarterback Shedeur Sanders hosted a “Turkey & Trimmings” event, distributing 300 Thanksgiving meal kits to families in the Glenville neighborhood, while defensive end Myles Garrett volunteered at a food bank sorting facility, posing for photos with fans and encouraging them to donate. “Food insecurity affects so many people in our community—kids who go to bed hungry, seniors who have to choose between medicine and meals,” Garrett said during the event. “As a Brown, I have a responsibility to use my platform to help. This isn’t just about giving food—it’s about giving dignity.” The food drive has become a fan favorite, with families bringing donations to games and posting about their contributions on social media using the hashtag #BrownsGiveBack.

Month of Giving Supports Local Causes Through the Cleveland Browns delves into the campaign’s investment in youth development, a long-term priority for the Browns. The team partners with organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of Cleveland and Cleveland Metropolitan School District (CMSD) to fund after-school programs, sports leagues, and college readiness initiatives. In 2025, the Browns donated \(150,000 to launch a “STEM in Sports” program, which uses football-themed lessons to teach CMSD students about science, technology, engineering, and math. Players like wide receiver Amari Cooper visited local schools to lead workshops, showing students how math is used to calculate yardage or how physics impacts a football’s trajectory. “When I was a kid, programs like this helped me stay focused and dream big,” Cooper said during a visit to Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School. “I want to give these kids the same opportunity to see that they can achieve anything, no matter where they come from.” The campaign also funds scholarships: each year, the Browns award 10 \)5,000 scholarships to CMSD seniors who demonstrate academic excellence and community service. For many students, the scholarship is the difference between being able to attend college and putting their dreams on hold—a impact that extends far beyond the month of November.

Month of Giving Supports Local Causes Through the Cleveland Browns examines how the Cleveland Browns engage fans in the campaign, turning individual acts of kindness into a collective movement. The team encourages fans to participate through its “Give 11” challenge—named for the 11 players on the field—asking them to donate 11 hours of volunteer time, \(11, or 11 items (like canned goods or winter clothing) to a local charity. Fans who share their contributions on social media with #BrownsGive11 are entered into a raffle to win prizes, including game tickets, player meet-and-greets, and signed memorabilia. In 2025, over 3,000 fans participated in the challenge, logging more than 33,000 volunteer hours and donating over \)33,000. The Browns also host a “Community Day” during the month, where players and coaches join fans in volunteering at local nonprofits—from painting community centers to packing backpacks for homeless children. “The best part of Month of Giving is seeing fans and players working side by side,” said Browns community relations director Jenner Tekancic. “It reminds everyone that we’re all part of the same community, and that together, we can make a real difference.” For the Cleveland Browns, fan engagement isn’t just about boosting participation—it’s about building a culture of giving that lasts long after November ends.

Month of Giving Supports Local Causes Through the Cleveland Browns explores the campaign’s focus on housing stability, a critical issue for many Cleveland residents. The Browns partner with Habitat for Humanity of Greater Cleveland to build and repair homes for low-income families, donating $100,000 annually to fund construction and sending players to volunteer on build sites. In 2025, defensive tackle Dalvin Tomlinson and linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. spent a Saturday hammering nails and installing drywall in a home in the Clark-Fulton neighborhood, chatting with the future homeowners and posing for photos with volunteers. “Housing is the foundation of a stable life—if you don’t have a safe place to live, everything else is harder,” Tomlinson said during the build. “Being able to help build a home for a family is one of the most rewarding things I do as a Brown.” The campaign also supports homeless shelters: the Browns donated 2,000 winter coats to the Cleveland Homeless Coalition in 2025, with players helping distribute coats to individuals staying in shelters. For the Cleveland Browns, investing in housing isn’t just about bricks and mortar—it’s about helping families build roots and creating stronger, more vibrant neighborhoods.

Month of Giving Supports Local Causes Through the Cleveland Browns wraps up with the lasting impact of the campaign on Cleveland and the Cleveland Browns’ legacy. Over the past eight years, the Month of Giving has raised more than $2 million and provided over 3 million meals, funded 80 scholarships, and helped build or repair 25 homes. But the impact goes beyond numbers: it’s the single mother who can feed her kids thanks to a Thanksgiving meal kit, the student who can go to college because of a scholarship, or the family who moves into their first home with help from the Browns. For the team, the campaign is a reminder of why they play football—to unite the community and make a positive difference. “The Month of Giving isn’t just a campaign for us—it’s a promise to our fans,” said Browns owner Dee Haslam. “We’re not just here to win games; we’re here to win for Cleveland. This month is about living up to that promise.” As the 2025 campaign came to a close, fans and players alike looked forward to next year—proof that the Month of Giving has become more than a tradition; it’s a vital part of what it means to be a Cleveland Brown. For Cleveland, the campaign is a beacon of hope, showing that even in tough times, a community can come together to support one another—one donation, one volunteer hour, one act of kindness at a time.