In keeping with its mission of helping its own, the NFL Alumni has teamed with the NFL to establish a Dire Need Charitable Trust with the express purpose of providing assistance to former NFL players and coaching staff members experiencing financial or medical hardship. Eligible players and coaching staff members are selected through an application and review process that ascertains need for medical attention, shelter and other life necessities. Medical needs receive priority consideration to other dire needs.

NFL Alumni Dire Need grant applications are considered on a case-by-case basis, with reference to the following eligibility guidelines:

• Applicant must be a former NFL player or NFL coach with at least two credited seasons of NFL play or employment, and such player's or former coach's spouse and children are eligible.
• Applicant does not have to be a member of the NFL Alumni organization.
• Examples of dire need include but are not restricted to shelter and other life necessities. Medical needs receive priority consideration to other dire needs.
• First-time applicants will be preferred to repeat applicants.
• Applicants who have received more than two dire need grants in the past will not be eligible for further grants absent extraordinary circumstances.