Faithful beyond the 4th quarter
Guided by the ethos of the Faithful, the Golden Heart Fund provides comprehensive support to 49ers after their football careers end.
You cheered for them.
Now let’s stand for them.
The San Francisco 49ers provide a pulse to the Bay Area. For decades, the
athletes wearing the red and gold have lifted our community through
triumph and adversity, forging memories that impact a lifetime.
Now, we’re giving back.
Our Model
Free & Confidential.
Community Driven.
Player-Led.
We’ve created a player-led community where former 49ers support one another in navigating the challenges that come with life after the NFL. Our peer-to-peer model empowers alumni to rediscover purpose through service, while recipients of support get the best personalized care from peers who understand their circumstances.
Learn How We HelpThe Challenges
The typical athlete’s career lasts three years and can end abruptly. Leaving the NFL is more than a career change—it is a complete lifestyle overhaul. The Golden Heart Fund serves as a bridge that eases this transition while players redefine their identity.
- Our emergency assistance program helps stabilize players during times of dire need and helps facilitate planning for their future.
- Athletes put their bodies on the line. Healing takes patience, personalized care, financial investment, and support. We help connect players to all of the above.
- Divorce or familial discord can result from the challenges and demands of the NFL. We use peer-to-peer mentorship to overcome these difficulties.
- We offer career development and counseling to open new doors for alumni as they determine what’s next.
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Success Stories
A Player’s Transformation
Defensive lineman Dennis Brown played seven seasons for the 49ers from 1990-96. Dennis reached out to The Golden Heart Fund for support during a difficult period of depression and homelessness. Today, Dennis is thriving in a career dedicated to community service and wants other players to know that help is just a click away.
Read His StoryDon’t let pride prevent you from accepting the help you need. If you isolate yourself, if you disappear, you shut yourself off from great miracles.
Former 49ers Defensive Lineman
