The National Football League Foundation has announced a five-year, $45 million grant to USA Football in support of the organization's youth and high school football programs.

The grant will help fund the expansion of Heads Up Football — a national initiative aimed at making football safer — to all ten thousand youth football leagues across the United States. Launched in 2013 with a $1.5 million grant from the NFL Foundation, Heads Up Football is a membership program supported by more than two dozen medical, child advocacy, and sport organizations. The grant also will support NFL FLAG, a youth flag football league, and NFL Punt, Pass & Kick, the nation's largest grassroots sports skills competition.

"The NFL Foundation is committed to enhancing our great game at all levels," said NFL Foundation chair Charlotte Jones Anderson. “"USA Football is a leader through its innovative work in youth and high school football development, and we are pleased to support their important work."