Every high school in Georgia will be eligible to receive a grant from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, in partnership with the Atlanta Falcons, to either support its existing girls flag football program or launch a new one in 2026, according to an announcement made on January 7, 2026.
In 2025, the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation provided grants to 305 Georgia high schools to help grow girls flag football programs. This included support for 45 schools that started new teams during the past year.
The Atlanta Falcons have played a leading role in expanding girls flag football in Georgia over the last eight years. Their efforts began with a pilot program for 19 high schools in Gwinnett County in 2018. By 2020, Georgia became the fourth state to officially recognize girls flag football as a high school sport. Last year, about 8,500 girls participated across more than 300 high schools statewide.
Atlanta Falcons President and CEO Greg Beadles stated: “The growth, energy and support for girls flag football in Georgia has been outstanding over the past several years and has provided a model to extend our support across the nation. Arthur Blank, his Family Foundation and the Falcons recognize the importance of providing girls the opportunity to play the game. We are honored to continue our support for girls flag football through camps and clinics, our annual college showcase at Mercedes-Benz Stadium and this grant opportunity. We are also fortunate to have a tremendous partnership with the Georgia High School Association and our elected officials in the Georgia House of Representatives who unanimously passed HR 347, encouraging all schools to establish girls flag football programs.”
Georgia High School Association Executive Director Dr. Tim Scott added: “We are deeply grateful to the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and the Atlanta Falcons for their continued support of flag football. The Georgia High School organization is thankful for the strong working relationship and partnership we share with these outstanding organizations. We look forward to another year of continued growth and success in flag football.”
High schools interested in applying for grant funding can visit AtlantaFalcons.com/girls-flag-football.
The Atlanta Falcons operate from Atlanta, Georgia, participating in the National Football League’s NFC South Division since their founding as an expansion franchise in 1965 official website. The team has advanced to the Super Bowl twice—in 1998 and again in 2016 official website. Freddie the Falcon serves as their mascot official website.
