Annual Report FY23

ANNUAL REPORT

FISCAL YEAR 03.01.22 - 02.28.23

A MESSAGE FROM THE

Executive Director

Dear Men of The Trust,

As we reflect on the challenges of the past two years, it is with immense gratitude that we welcome the renewed sense of normalcy that 2023 brought. With the lifting of restrictions, we have been working tirelessly to provide meaningful engagement opportunities for The Trust community and expand services that powerfully impact Former Players.

At The Trust, we understand the value of fostering community. Research studies have shown that a lack of social connection may be associated with heart disease, obesity, depression, insomnia, and cognitive decline. With this in mind, our focus this year has centered primarily on our first pillar: Community and Connection Opportunities.

We are thrilled to report that our efforts have been met with resounding success. The feedback we received from the community has been overwhelmingly positive. Everyone enjoyed being with their brothers, and several even mentioned that it brought back fond memories of the locker room.

As we look forward to the year ahead, let us remain diligent in our pursuit of connecting former teammates with all that The Trust community has to offer. It is our mission to assist you in your next season of life, and we take great pride in doing so.

Thank you for your continued trust and support. We are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead and look forward to working alongside you to achieve great things.

Onward and upward,

THE TRUST, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

OUR MISSION

THE TRUST’S MISSION IS TO SUPPORT NFL PLAYERS AS THEY LIVE THEIR PURPOSE BEYOND FOOTBALL.

OF THE TRUST

The Trust was made for players by players. Discussions with Active and Former Players and the NFLPA launched a movement to provide customized earned benefits to the brotherhood of Trust-eligible Former NFL players. We started with a fundamental question:

WHY DO SOME FORMER PLAYERS TRANSITION MORE SUCCESSFULLY THAN OTHERS AFTER THE NFL?

We are laser-focused on providing the answer and ensuring that every Trust-eligible player has the resources and support they need to thrive after football! This starts with our commitment to unlocking the full potential of every individual we serve and are proud to stand by our players every step of the way.

BOARD

of TRUSTEES History

Board of Trustees for the Former Player Benefits Trust Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA Trust)

NFLPA APPOINTED TRUSTEES

TERI SMITH

J.C. TRETTER

NOLAN HARRISON III

NFL MANAGEMENT COUNCIL APPOINTED TRUSTEES

LARRY FERAZANI

BELINDA LERNER

KIMBERLY FIELDS

Board of Trustees for the Labor Management Cooperation Committee Trust (LMCC Trust)

NFLPA APPOINTED TRUSTEES

TERI SMITH

J.C. TRETTER

NOLAN HARRISON III

RASHEAN MATHIS

NFL MANAGEMENT COUNCIL APPOINTED TRUSTEES

LARRY FERAZANI

BELINDA LERNER

KIMBERLY FIELDS

PATRICK REYNOLDS

OUR PILLARS

At the core of our mission are three pillars members have access to the tools

EVENTS

MOBILECOMMUNITY

PLAYERSPOTLIGHTS

.

BRAIN&BODY

MENTALHEALTH

NUTRITION&FITNESS

CRITICALCARE

Through the strength of these pillars, we as a dedicated team to help Trust Members

PILLARS

pillars that guide our work and ensure that our tools and services they need to thrive.

CAREER EDUCATION

ENTREPRENEURSHIP FINANCE

we are able to provide support, as well Members win in their next season.

COMMUNITY AND CONNECTION OPPORTUNITIES

The Trust’s focus on fostering community and building connections has been a resounding success this year. We held twenty-three in-person events, including golf tournaments, networking events, revamped Wrap Around Weekends, and Super Bowl Celebrations, bringing together 880 members. By prioritizing the importance of building relationships and creating a supportive community, The Trust has strengthened its foundation for continued success.

We are grateful to each and every member who has contributed to this success and look forward to creating even more opportunities for our members to connect and thrive.

“WHAT MOST GUYS TAKE AWAY FROM THE NFL IS THE CAMARADERIE WITH TEAMMATES IN THE LOCKER ROOM. THAT’S THE BEST THING THAT HAPPENS IN THE NFL. YOU GET TO MEET GUYS THAT YOU’VE NEVER MET BEFORE. THEY COME FROM A DIFFERENT PLANET THAN YOU. IT BECOMES A FAMILY.”

HEALTH AND WELLNESS RESOURCES

In the past year, Trust Members have made their health and wellness a top priority. Over 400 Former Players completed Brain and Body assessments at renowned institutions, such as Massachusetts General Hospital, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Tulane University School of Medicine, and Cleveland Clinic. Additionally, we had 160 enthusiastic attendees at our Breakfast Club workouts, and 66 Players received training through our Free Agent Program. We are thrilled to welcome House of Athlete and Driven Elite as new partners to help facilitate Trust Members’ health and wellness goals. Our members’ commitment to achieving optimal physical and mental wellbeing has never been stronger, paving the way for a healthier and brighter future.

“FROM YOUR TOES TO THE TOP OF YOUR HEAD, THEY DO ALL THESE MEDICAL TESTS AND WALK YOU THROUGH IT. YOU GET IN AND GET THE VIP TREATMENT. THEY CHECK EVERYTHING OUT AND EVEN DO A SLEEP TEST AT NIGHT.”

Brent Novoselsky

PERSONAL AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

The Trust’s focus on personal and professional development has yielded exceptional results this year. The Trust Scholarship has been a cornerstone of this effort, with 308 recipients receiving support, leading to 21 members graduating with bachelor’s degrees, 70 with master’s degrees, and 26 from vocational training. An additional 191 recipients are still actively working toward their degrees. We are also proud to celebrate 69 members starting new jobs and 91 utilizing our partner, ManpowerGroup’s personal branding desk to enhance their careers. As an organization, we take great pride in empowering our members to reach their full potential and are committed to supporting their continued growth, both personally and professionally.

“IF YOU’RE THINKING ABOUT GOING BACK TO SCHOOL, THE MONEY’S THERE FOR YOU TO DO IT. YOU JUST NEED TO HAVE A PLAN TO BE ABLE TO GET IT DONE. I TELL FORMER TEAMMATES THAT I HAVE.”

Drew Davis

THE APP

17,185

TOTAL USER SESSIONS

This is the total number of app launches.

48 %

INCREASE IN TOTAL ACTIVE USERS

646,311

TOTAL IMPRESSIONS

This is the total number of impressions across the feed and forum.

204,493

TOTAL IMPRESSIONS

LINKEDIN

52.4%

INCREASE IN ENGAGEMENT

129,450

INCREASE IN NET FOLLOWERS

94.4% FACEBOOK

537.9%

INCREASE IN ENGAGEMENT

269.7%

INCREASE IN IMPRESSIONS

TOTAL IMPRESSIONS

TWITTER

128.5%

INCREASE IN NET FOLLOWERS

246.733

TOTAL IMPRESSIONS

PLAYERSpotlights

The Trust proudly spotlights Former NFL Players who have demonstrated exceptional dedication to their communities, health and wellness, and personal and business development. Through their hard work and commitment to excellence, they serve as inspiring examples of our mission to support Former NFL Players as they live their purpose beyond football. We hope that their stories inspire you as much as they inspire us.

THOMAS

WATCH VIDEO REEL HERE

THOMAS

“I ATTENDED THE AFCA CONVENTION BECAUSE IT IS AN OPPORTUNITY TO NETWORK. IT’S NOT JUST WHO YOU KNOW BUT, MORE IMPORTANTLY, WHO KNOWS YOU.”

PLAYER SPOTLIGHT

MCMILLIAN Mark

Mark McMillian, the eight-year NFL veteran, spoke about his new success on Gordon Ramsey’s Next Level Chef his gratitude to The Trust for providing him the vital support needed to transition out of the League.

READ MARK’S FULL SPOTLIGHT HERE

WATCH VIDEO REEL HERE

MCMILLIAN

“THE SERVICES OF THE TRUST SAVED ME AND MY FAMILY A LOT OF HEARTACHE AND GOT ME FOCUSED BACK ON THE RIGHT TRACK SO THAT NOW I’M ABLE TO BE ON TV AND BE COMFORTABLE.”

Mark McMillian

YEAR IN photos

YEAR IN NUMBERS

The Trust emerged from the 2011 NFLPA and NFL Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Throughout the grueling bargaining process, players were committed to setting aside resources for professional programs and support to help Former NFL Players succeed in their careers beyond football. The NFLPA and related stakeholders implemented that important vision through the creation of The Trust in October of 2013 The same passion and commitment to a wellness ecosystem for Former NFL Players remain at the core of The Trust’s mission.

429 PLAYERS COMPLETED BRAIN AND BODY

46% OF ALL ELIGIBLE FORMER PLAYERS ENROLLED

880

69 PARTICIPANTS AT IN-PERSON EVENTS

PLAYERS RECEIVED JOBS THROUGH ATHLIFE AND MANPOWER

66 PLAYERS PARTICIPATED IN THE FREE AGENT PROGRAM

61% RENEWAL FOR YMCA MEMBERSHIPS

308 FORMER PLAYERS RECEIVED SCHOLARSHIPS

208 PARTICIPANTS AT VIRTUAL EVENTS

CAPTAINS

The Trust Captains are Former NFL Player leaders with a commitment to continue serving their peers in life after the game.

“FOR MOST OF THE CAPTAINS, IT GIVES US PURPOSE AS MEN THAT WE ARE MENTORING OTHER MEN AND HELPING THEM TRANSITION. BY MENTORING WE AREN’T JUST USING WORDS; WE ARE ACTUALLY POINTING THEM IN THE DIRECTION TO BENEFITS THAT THEY’VE EARNED.”

Cliff Crosby

CLIFFCROSBY ZAKDEOSSIE JAMESDEVELIN

DEMETRICEVANS

DEONGRANT

DARRELLGREEN

DUANESTARKS

KIRKMORRISON

PARTNERS

ATHLIFE

Assists Former Players with continuing education

CLEVELAND CLINIC

Develops a collaborative “game plan” to improve and maintain Former Players’ overall health and wellness

EXOS

Provides Former Players everything they need to get back on track with nutrition and fitness

FINANCIAL FINESSE

Delivers Former Players and their families personalized financial guidance at no cost

HOUSE OF ATHLETE

A lifestyle and wellness brand dedicated to improving both mental and physical fitness

LAKEVIEW

In treating addicition, Lakeview Health addresses healing of Former Players’ minds, bodies, and spirits

MANPOWER GROUP

Supports Former Players along every step of the job search and career development process

MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL

Provides world-class, evidencebased medical care

SCORE

Assists Former Players at every stage of their small business journey

TULANE UNIVERSITY

The Professional Athlete Care Team (PACT) supports the health and wellness of Former Players

THE MENNINGER CLINIC

As a leader in psychiatric care, the Menninger Clinic, has been successfully treating patients with complex mental illness since 1925

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHAPEL HILL

The UNC Brain and Body Health Program is designed to provide Former Players a comprehensive evaluation of their cognitive, mental, and physical functioning

WW

Provides Former Players everything they need to get back on track with nutrition and fitness

YMCA

Focus on your fitness with a free individual or household membership

STAFF

KELLYMEHRTENS ExecutiveDirector

ZAMIRCOBB ManagingDirector

LYDIAZAKHARI GeneralCounsel

QUIANATHOMAS Director,Eventsand Programs

CHERYLTURNER DirectorofService

LOUSAKAPOLITE DirectorofOutreach

SKYETILSON SeniorManager,Interactive &DigitalContent

MADISONBRYSON EventsandProgramsSpecialist TRAVISBURNS ProgramManager STEPHENCHEEK MemberServicesAssistant NATASHACRISS ProgramManager LASHEADAVIS-WILLIAMS SeniorProgramManager

DIANEEUNICE AssistantDirectorof Service

DANIELLEFOREMAN SeniorProgramManager

TALISHAJEFFERSON ProgramManager

CAMJOHNSON EventsandPrograms Specialist

MYKALJOHNSON ProgramManager

SHANNONKEARNEY Business&Travel Associate

FELEICIAMINOR ServiceSpecialist

BASILENKERE DigitalContentSpecialist

MAULIESPETTAWAYJR. PROGRAMMANAGER

SHANYARICHBURG OutreachSpecialist

JUSTINRICKS ProgramSpecialist

MIRITESTEINBERG SeniorProgramManager

NIATAYLOR DigitalContent Coordinator

KYLERTHOMPSON ServiceAssitant

JOEANNETHOMAS ProgramSpecialist NICOLETURNER Travel&Operations Associate

KRYSTALWAITERS ProgramManager

GABRIELLEDIGELLO LegalIntern

KATIEKOVARIK DigitalIntern

CARAPETERSON DataAnalyst

"AS WE ENTER OUR 10TH YEAR OF SERVICE, WE ARE THRILLED TO CONTINUE OUR MISSION OF CONNECTING FORMER TEAMMATES WITH ALL THAT THE TRUST COMMUNITY HAS TO OFFER.

OUR COMMITMENT TO ASSISTING YOU IN YOUR NEXT SEASON OF LIFE REMAINS AT THE HEART OF ALL THAT WE DO. JUST LIKE THE MEMORIES THAT WERE SPARKED AT OUR RECENT GATHERINGS, WE AIM TO KEEP THE CAMARADERIE ALIVE THROUGH OUR EVENTS AND RESOURCES. AS WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE YEAR AHEAD, LET US BE DILIGENT IN OUR PURSUIT OF GROWING AND STRENGTHENING OUR COMMUNITY."

-THE TRUST