City Year helps to close gaps in high-need schools by supporting students' academic and social-emotional development while also providing schools with the additional capacity to enhance school culture and climate. Teams of City Year AmeriCorps members provide research-based classroom and school-wide support to help students stay on track to graduate from high school, prepare for college and for career success. Support from the Detroit Lions is currently funding a City Year Detroit Team and Mary McLeod Bethune Elementary-Middle School in the Fitzgerald Neighborhood. This team of 10 provide academic and emotional support for students every day of the school year.

Established in 2001, Detroit Lions Academy (DLA) is a Detroit Public Schools Community District alternative middle school located on the east side of Detroit. It provides students with the opportunity to learn and achieve in a structured and safe environment which addresses their individual learning needs. Support from the Detroit Lions provides school supplies, resources and tools for students to succeed in the classroom. A steady presence of players, cheerleaders, Legends and Detroit Lions staff and partners provides mentorship and leadership development opportunities to help students succeed beyond the classroom.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan empowers youth to become career, start up and homeowner ready by providing safe after-school programming to Detroit youth beginning at six years old all the way up to 18. Boys and Girls Club is dedicated to addressing poverty as the root cause of issues facing our youth by driving economic mobility for youth, families and the greater community. Detroit Lions Foundation is set to provide support for the Boys and Girls Club of Southeast Michigan's football and cheerleading leagues serving thousands of youth throughout Metro Detroit each year.

Playworks is a non-profit organization committed to helping schools and youth programs create recess and play environments where every child can join. Playworks helps schools and districts make the most of recess through on-site staffing, consultative support, professional development and free resources. Funding from the Detroit Lions supports implementation of recess and play-based programs in schools, where they otherwise may not have had the means to provide them.