Daniel Snyder is well-known today as a successful businessman and as the owner of the Washington Football team. However, he was not born into wealth Instead, he grew up in a middle-class suburb where he developed a strong work ethic, a deep respect for his community and a passion for the football team that he would later own. Daniel Snyder achieved great professional success relatively early in his career. In fact, he became the youngest CEO to head a company listed on the New York Stock Exchange at that time. By 1999, Snyder had accumulated the financial means to purchase the football franchise that he loved most.
With Daniel Snyder’s roots in the Washington community and his desire to help others in the local area and beyond, he developed the Washington Charitable Foundation shortly after finalizing his purchase of the franchise. Since 2000, Snyder has gifted almost $30 million to various organizations and individuals throughout the community, and his reach has touched the lives of millions of people. Specifically, the Washington Charitable Foundation serves the community in areas that range from wellness and education to outreach and more.
Under the Washington Charitable Foundation, Daniel Snyder has supported literacy efforts through the Read Program. This program has reached almost 40,000 elementary-age children in the area. Another program aimed to improve the health and wellness of students has reached more than 12,000 boys and girls in local middle schools. To support children who are living in poverty, the foundation’s Loads of Love program actively and discreetly provides clean clothing to students at more than 80 local schools. By doing so, the Loads of Love program removes some of the challenges and barriers that these children may otherwise face in obtaining a quality education and social acceptance.
The philanthropic reach of Daniel Snyder has extended beyond the local metropolitan area. For example, he played an instrumental role in delivering essential humanitarian aid and supplies to various communities after they were devastated by natural disasters. He supported several Asian countries in 2004 after a tsunami wiped out entire communities. He also focused on providing relief closer to home after Hurricane Katrina passed through Gulf Coast states. Daniel Snyder’s attention also extended to various Caribbean communities in 2016 after Hurricane Matthew.
Daniel Snyder and his wife have also made meaningful contributions outside of the Washington Charitable Foundation to support various causes that are important to them. Recently, the couple donated $250,000 to a local organization that focuses on social injustice awareness. An additional $35,000 was donated to support the restoration of the Ashburn Colored School. This historic structure was a single-room schoolhouse that was built in 1892 to serve Black students.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Daniel Snyder jumped into action to establish a testing site at FedEx Field in conjunction with the Maryland National Guard. He and his wife also supported the Capital Area Food Bank with a donation of $100,000 to feed families that have been harshly impacted by the pandemic.
Additionally, Daniel Snyder have supported the Children’s National Hospital by serving on its Board of Directors. The Snyder family also funded the expansion of the facility for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
In his position as an owner of a successful NFL franchise, Daniel Snyder has led his franchise in support of the Gary Sinise Foundation and established the Salute program. These efforts have benefited current and former military members and their families in various ways. Daniel Snyder is also active within the NFL. In fact, he has served on the Media Committee, the Stadium Committee, the International Committee and several other notable committees over the years. Locally, Snyder has supported community outreach programs that connect the team with high school coaches as well as young fans through the Play 60 program and various cheerleading programs.
Some of the many other events and organizations that Daniel Snyder has focused on over the years include renovations to the Inova Sports Performance Center in Virginia, Beacon House and Youth for Tomorrow. He and his wife have been recognized numerous times over the years at various banquets and with the naming of two buildings after them. These are the Snyder Family Emergency Medicine and Trauma Center for the local children’s hospital and the Daniel M. Snyder and Family Communication Center for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Daniel Snyder is also a member of the Greater Washington Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
While Daniel Snyder has had a tremendous impact on communities near and far over the years, his work is not done. You can expect him to continue working hard to make a difference in the lives of others in meaningful ways throughout his local and global community.
Learn more about Dan Snyder here: https://www.forbes.com/profile/dan-snyder/