Brees Dream Foundation

Brees Dream Foundation
Name	Brees Dream Foundation
Type	Nonprofit organization
Founded	2003
Founder	Drew Brees
Location	New Orleans, Louisiana, United States
Area served	United States
Focus	Healthcare, Youth Programs, Community Development
Key people	Drew Brees

Brees Dream Foundation The Brees Dream Foundation is a nonprofit organization founded to support healthcare initiatives, youth programs, and community development in the United States, particularly in the Gulf Coast region. The foundation was established by NFL quarterback Drew Brees and has engaged with hospitals, schools, and community organizations to fund medical equipment, scholarships, and rebuilding efforts after disasters. It has worked with professional sports franchises, charitable organizations, and municipal agencies to expand services and provide emergency support.

History

The foundation was created in 2003 by Drew Brees following his career with the San Diego Chargers and later the New Orleans Saints, collaborating with figures and institutions such as Sean Payton, Tom Benson, and the Louisiana Recovery Authority in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Early activities included partnerships with the New Orleans Saints, Tulane University, Ochsner Health System, and Children's Hospital New Orleans to deliver medical equipment and pediatric care enhancements. As the organization matured, it coordinated relief and rebuilding projects with entities like Federal Emergency Management Agency, American Red Cross, United Way, and local governments in Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish, and St. Bernard Parish. The foundation also aligned with national initiatives involving the NFL Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Ronald McDonald House Charities to leverage broader philanthropic networks.

Mission and Programs

The foundation's stated mission focuses on improving quality of life for children and families through health, education, and community outreach, partnering with organizations including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Baylor College of Medicine. Programs have targeted pediatric therapy and rehabilitation in collaboration with Shriners Hospitals for Children, mental health services coordinated with National Alliance on Mental Illness affiliates, and disaster preparedness training alongside American Academy of Pediatrics chapters. Educational and youth-sports initiatives have been implemented with school districts such as New Orleans Public Schools, higher education institutions like Louisiana State University and University of New Orleans, and nonprofit youth groups including Big Brothers Big Sisters of America.

Fundraising and Events

Fundraising efforts have included celebrity and sports-driven campaigns with partners such as the NFL Players Association, Pro Football Hall of Fame, Tony Dungy, Peyton Manning, and entertainers linked to benefit concerts at venues like the Smoothie King Center and Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Annual galas, golf tournaments, and charity auctions have featured collaborations with corporations including GE Healthcare, Toyota, Cox Communications, and Capital One. Disaster relief drives have been coordinated with logistics partners like FedEx and UPS and supported by public figures such as Sean Payton, Aaron Brooks, Reggie Bush, and community leaders from New Orleans Mayor's Office initiatives. Campaigns have also utilized online platforms in coordination with Crowdrise, Charitybuzz, and major social media outlets linked to Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Impact and Grants

Grantmaking has funded medical equipment acquisitions for institutions such as Children's Hospital Los Angeles, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and regional clinics in collaboration with Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliates. The foundation has awarded scholarships for student-athletes at Tulane University, LSU Health Sciences Center, and local high schools like Edna Karr High School and St. Augustine High School. Infrastructure grants supported rebuilding of community centers in neighborhoods of Lower Ninth Ward, Algiers, and Mid-City New Orleans after storms, coordinated with Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together. Impact reporting has documented outcomes in pediatric care capacity, school program retention rates, and community facility restoration measured alongside standards from United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs and domestic health metrics used by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

Governance and Funding

The foundation is governed by a board of directors and advisors drawn from sports, healthcare, and business sectors, including former executives from organizations like Saints Hall of Fame, Ochsner Health System, Entergy, and Poydras Home. Funding sources include private donations from athletes and entertainers such as Drew Brees, corporate sponsorships from Nike, Adidas, PepsiCo, and philanthropic grants from foundations including Ford Foundation and Walton Family Foundation. Financial oversight has been aligned with nonprofit standards promoted by GuideStar, Charity Navigator, and regulatory compliance with Internal Revenue Service tax-exempt rules and Louisiana Secretary of State filings.

Partnerships and Recognition

The foundation has partnered with national and local organizations including NFL Foundation, Make-A-Wish Foundation, United Way of Southeast Louisiana, and Ochsner Health System for program delivery, and with academic partners such as Tulane University School of Medicine and LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport for research and training. Recognition has included community awards from the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, acknowledgments from municipal leaders like Mayor Mitch Landrieu and Mayor LaToya Cantrell, and honors from sports organizations such as the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the NFLPA Community MVP. Its activities have been cited in coverage by outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, ESPN, and The Times-Picayune.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Louisiana