About Us
Morlon Greenwood Foundation: Nurturing Future Leaders
The Morlon Greenwood Foundation, founded by former NFL player Morlon Greenwood in 2015, provides programming for students residing in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. This programming is designed to be creative, community-based, and of high quality, and focuses on academic, athletic, and intellectual skills for those children in the community that take part. This model is developed by partnering with elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as other similarly designed community organizations, throughout these disadvantaged communities in order to meet the unique needs of these students both inside and outside of the program. Within Las Vegas Valley, our corporate sponsors include Binion’s Gambling Hall, Four Queens Hotel & Casino, and the Chicago Brewing Company. Other community partners include Delta Academy, the Richard Steele Foundation, Las Vegas Metro Police Athletic League, Adventure Recreation Experience, Nevada Homeless Alliance, 2Act Ministries, Leaders In Training, Project 150, Real Talk and the Clark County School District. The goal of these programs is to develop leadership and mentoring programs to give the children who participate a guide that allows them to become upstanding members of their communities.
Building Brighter Futures
Our Mission
Raise Up youth to become successful socially responsible citizens through mentorship imparted to encourage the realization of their full potential while respecting diversity within the community.
Our Programs
The Morlon Greenwood Foundation has designed a sports program that helps to reduce the negative influences that impact the lives of our youth, especially in urban areas.
Our Complex
The organization will be housed in the MG52 OLYMPIC COMPLEX, endorsed by the NFL Alumni Las Vegas Chapter will be a full service multi-sports complex and full wrap-around services for the youth.
- A Community-Driven Approach
Hope & Healing
In addition, the Morlon Greenwood Foundation has committed itself to combatting the opioid epidemic within Las Vegas valley through the development of a twelve week program in conjunction with our many community partners. This program targets both youth and young adults who have been personally affected by the epidemic due to abuse and dependency. This particular program is designed to provide an individualized plan for recovery based on the unique path each individual takes towards opioid abuse, provides necessary skills to break the cycle of abuse and prepare for recovery maintenance, fosters engagement in prosocial activities, and educates each participant on resources and mentorship available to them within their respective communities. Each individual who completes the program will participate in a graduation ceremony to celebrate their accomplishments, as well as a follow up event three months after graduation to monitor progress and congratulate former graduates on their successes after the program. Thus, the Morlon Greenwood foundation is dedicated in its mission to improve disadvantaged communities using several methods of programming for these communities.
Violence Prevention Description Model
The Morlon Greenwood Foundation aligns closely with the evidence-based Positive Youth Development (PYD) Model, which emphasizes nurturing key attributes in adolescents—such as bonding, resilience, self-determination, positive identity, and prosocial involvement—to reduce the risk of juvenile delinquency and foster long-term success. Rooted in research by Catalano et al. (2004), the Foundation’s programs intentionally target at least five of the core PYD constructs, including fostering strong peer connections, encouraging hard work and self-belief, and promoting engagement in constructive, non-delinquent activities. These elements are essential in shaping youth into responsible, community-minded adults.
The Foundation also incorporates the foundational components required for effective PYD programming: structured curricula, consistent availability, demonstrated community need, and a focus on quality. With increased funding, the Foundation could expand its reach and impact, offering more youth access to mentorship and personal growth opportunities. In addition to meeting the criteria outlined by Catalano and colleagues, the Foundation delivers on the “Five C’s” of youth development—competence, confidence, connection, character, and caring—as identified by Zarret and Lerner (2008). Through these values, the Foundation not only helps youth avoid negative influences but also cultivates environments where they can thrive and contribute positively to their communities.
Agency Experience and Qualifications
Morlon Greenwood, a former NFL player for the Miami Dolphins, Houston Texans, and Omaha Nighthawks, has channeled his passion for life and determination for success into careers in boxing, music, and now community development. As the principal developer of programming, his diverse experiences and technical expertise empower him to mentor underprivileged youth through football camps, using sports as a vehicle to instill work ethic and life skills. The Morlon Greenwood Foundation, driven by strong community partnerships—including collaborations with local schools—brings together educators and mentors who understand the unique challenges faced by these youth. The Foundation’s alliance with the NFL Alumni Las Vegas Chapter enhances its reach, connecting disadvantaged adolescents with former NFL players who serve as role models. These mentors, with varied life experiences, contribute valuable insight and guidance. Additionally, partnerships focused on opioid addiction programming allow the Foundation to leverage specialized knowledge in substance abuse treatment, positioning it as a catalyst for meaningful change within the community. Through these combined efforts, the Foundation creates impactful, multifaceted programs that support the development and well-being of youth in the region.
Timeline and Deliverables
Year-Round Programming and Capacity Growth
In addition to geographic growth, the Foundation seeks to increase the frequency of camps throughout the calendar year. Currently, three summer camps and seasonal leagues provide structured activities and mentorship across fall, winter, and spring. The goal is to establish nine summer camps for elementary, middle, and high school students, held across June, July, and August. Achieving this will require outreach and marketing efforts to attract participants, hiring additional coaches and staff, securing new school partnerships, and ensuring funding for equipment, uniforms, and operational costs. Grant support will be vital to expanding these initiatives and embedding the Positive Youth Development Model deeper into the community.
Expansion of Camp Locations and Access
To better serve youth across the Las Vegas area, the Morlon Greenwood Foundation aims to expand the number of camps offered, especially in neighborhoods beyond the current locations at Cimarron Memorial High, Cheyenne High, and Desert Pines. By identifying and partnering with new facilities throughout Las Vegas, the Foundation can bring these camps closer to where adolescents live—making mentorship more accessible and impactful. This localized expansion will increase participation and allow more young people to benefit from guidance by current and former NFL players who support the Foundation’s mission.
Establishment of Permanent Youth Development Facilities
Looking ahead, the Morlon Greenwood Foundation plans to establish permanent, multi-purpose youth centers in partnership with the NFL Alumni Las Vegas Chapter, with locations in both Las Vegas and Henderson. These centers will offer year-round services including after-school programs in tutoring, mental and behavioral health, trade skills, culinary arts, and a broad range of sports such as football, soccer, swimming, and basketball. Participants will also have access to meals, physical therapy, and training facilities. Central to this vision is the implementation of the R.A.I.S.E. U.P. mentorship model—promoting Responsibility, Awareness, Inspiration, Success, and Ethics. This peer-to-peer mentorship system will pair older students with younger ones, creating a sustainable cycle of leadership that continues from grade school through professional life. Once proven effective in Las Vegas, the Foundation aims to replicate this model nationally and globally.
