“I’m really honored to be recognized”: How Travis Kelce’s $50,000 commitment turned his NFL catches into support for Kansas City kids through his Eighty-Seven & Running foundation

Travis Kelce found a way to turn his NFL performances into support for children in Kansas City in 2017. The Kansas City Chiefs tight end launched a fundraising campaign that season, asking fans to pledge money for every catch he made. He also promised to match their donations dollar for dollar, up to $50,000, through his Eighty-Seven & Running Foundation.The campaign, called Catching for a Cause, supported Operation Breakthrough, a local organisation that helps children living in poverty and their families. Kelce wanted fans to do more than cheer for him on Sundays. He wanted them to take part in a cause that could help children in their own community. Travis Kelce linked every NFL catch to a charitable causeThe Chiefs announced Catching for a Cause on September 11, 2017. The idea was simple. Fans could pledge an amount for every reception Kelce recorded during the season, and his foundation would match their donations up to $50,000.The $50,000 figure was the limit of Kelce's matching commitment, not a confirmed final donation. The original campaign announcement did not disclose the total amount raised that season.Kelce explained his reason for launching the fundraiser in a statement released by the Chiefs.“I can help by performing on the field, but I want them to know I walk the walk off of it, too,” Kelce said.He also challenged fans who followed his performances through fantasy football to support a real-life cause.“People tell me all the time how they're cheering for me on their fantasy team. If you can do it for fantasy, you can step up in real life, too. Cheer for something worth cheering for, support something worth supporting,” he added.The fundraiser also gave fans another reason to participate. Those who pledged at least $5 per catch could enter a raffle for two Chiefs game tickets and VIP passes.Kelce had already run a similar campaign in 2016. That year, his 85 receptions helped raise money for the Boys & Girls Club of Kansas City and its sports programmes. In 2017, he shifted the focus to Operation Breakthrough, an organisation that provided children in poverty with a safe, educational environment while supporting their families through advocacy, emergency aid and education.The Chiefs said the organisation served around 400 children daily at its Kansas City facility. Travis Kelce gave Operation Breakthrough children a Chiefs game experienceKelce's support went beyond the fundraising campaign. Before the 2017 regular season began, he invited children from Operation Breakthrough to attend the Chiefs' final preseason game.The children received pregame sideline passes and had the chance to meet players. Kelce helped make the outing special for a group that might not otherwise have had access to that experience.His involvement with the organisation continued in the years that followed. In September 2018, Kelce donated $45,000 to help open the Eighty-Seven & Running Robotics Lab at Operation Breakthrough. He contributed half the money personally, while his foundation provided the other half.The lab gave students access to robotics, technology, circuits and engineering activities. It also opened opportunities for children from nearby schools to take part in hands-on learning.Speaking about the robotics lab, Kelce said he was grateful to have the resources to support children in the community.“I’m really honored to be recognized by the NFLPA for doing what my Mom always taught me to do. Just take care of each other,” Kelce said after the NFL Players Association named him its Week 2 Community MVP in 2018.“Being in this league, it really is humbling to be in a place where I can have a foundation like 87 & Running and help make sure some of these kids get a leg up,” he added.Founded in 2015, Eighty-Seven & Running aims to help disadvantaged young people through education, business, athletics, science, technology, engineering, mathematics and the arts.Catching for a Cause gave that mission a direct link to Kelce's NFL career. Each reception offered fans another opportunity to contribute, while the matching pledge encouraged them to support children beyond the football field.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.