Today, Ben announced the ninth and tenth grant awards of the 2017 season from the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation at The Giving Back Fund.

puppy_340The Foundation will be distributing grants to the Indiana State Police and the Avon Police Department, just west of Indianapolis where the Steelers will play the Colts on November 12th.

This marks the 11th season that Ben’s Foundation has distributed grants to K-9 units. His continuing mission is to support K-9 units of police and fire departments throughout the United States, with a particular emphasis on support for service dogs in Pittsburgh, PA. Ben also supports Make-A-Wish.

The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation has distributed more than $150,000 in grants to K-9 units around the country during the 2016 NFL season, including $76,000 in the Pittsburgh community. The Foundation has distributed in excess of $1.65 million since 2007.

“The Indiana State Police Alliance has a proud history of supporting the K-9 program. The generous grant provided by the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation will promote the continued success of the state police K-9 program.” — Scott Krueger, President, Indiana State Police Alliance.


The Indiana State Police will use the grant funds to purchase training equipment, and the Avon Police Department will use the funds to add a second dog to their K-9 unit.

“The Avon Police Department is humbled to learn that we were selected to receive the 2017 Ben Roethlisberger Foundation grant. This is an honor and privilege for the Avon Police Department, and we wish to thank Mr. Roethlisberger and his foundation for such a wonderful opportunity to make a positive impact in our community. The Avon Police Department would also like to commend Mr. Roethlisberger for his passion, dedication and generosity that he has demonstrated throughout the United States to help law enforcement agencies. The Avon Police Department looks forward to partnering with the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation in the fight against illegal narcotic distribution, sales and abuse. The Foundation’s generosity will assist the Avon Police Department with the purchase of an additional K-9 unit that will be focused on the interdiction of illegal drugs such as heroin, and other dangerous opioids that have destroyed and taken so many lives. With this grant and the dedication of the men and women of the Avon Police Department, we now have the opportunity to substantially increase our resources to help reduce illegal drug activity in our community and potentially save lives.” — Chief Sean Stoops, Avon Police Department.



Steelers fans:

You can support future K-9 grants by purchasing candy on Sarris Candies’ website, (www.SarrisCandiesFundraising.com), using a special purchase code (77-7777). Sarris will donate 25 percent of the purchase price to the Ben Roethlisberger Foundation. You can also donate directly right here.


For more information about Ben’s foundation, just check out his foundation page. But you can get even more by contacting Jessica Duffaut at www.givingback.org.