Mission Statement

The Mark Clayton Foundation is dedicated to serving the community as we aim to fulfill our mission: to support the children and families living in the foster care system by improving their overall quality of life. We will accomplish our mission by providing opportunities for youth leadership development, financial assistance, and academic enrichment. Ultimately, we seek to enhance the social well-being of the young people most plagued by economic misfortune and tragic life circumstances.

Programming

MCF Educational Enrichment Fund - We are excited about the launch of a two-pronged education initiative through the Foundation. Part I will consist of awarding scholarships to deserving high school seniors preparing to enroll in 4-year universities. Candidates must be products of the foster care system, and will be assessed on several criteria, including grade point average, citizenship, teacher recommendations and a personal essay. Scholarships will be awarded annually to students in the cities and surrounding areas of Dallas, Oklahoma City, and Baltimore. Part II will involve a gifting program for school-aged children who need assistance acquiring the tools for academic success. Areas of need include- but are not limited to- school supplies, clothing, technology in the home, and after school enrichment. We will work closely throughout the year with family service departments in all three cities to identify and select children to receive these items.

Thanksgiving Feast - This is an annual feeding program that provides groceries for a true Thanksgiving experience to hundreds of inner-city families in Baltimore. 2008 will witness an expansion of this program, as the MCF plans to bring the spirit of Thanksgiving to young people in the state of Oklahoma by adopting a foster family or small group home and sponsoring a fresh cooked Thanksgiving meal.

Christmas with Mark - Each year, the Mark Clayton Foundation identifies families in Oklahoma City and Dallas/ Ft. Worth that have faced hardship during the year yet maintain a positive outlook and allow their faith to sustain them. During a personal visit, Mark or his mother and MCF co-founder JacQuetta Clayton bring holiday cheer and groceries to the family’s home, along with a gift cards to local retailers. All of the groceries are meant for preparing a holiday meal of Mark’s favorite foods, and the gift cards will provide a gift shopping experience for all of the children in the home.

KaBOOM! Playground Projects - The Mark Clayton Foundation with KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit organization that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in America. We will act as the Community Partner on the project by identifying a suitable location for the construction of a playground and providing funding, build volunteers, and maintenance for the completed play area. Our specific aim is to provide recreational spaces for children and adolescents living in group homes in the states of Maryland, Texas, and Oklahoma.

To make donations or for questions about The Mark Clayton Foundation, please write to:

Mark Clayton Foundation
PO Box 54-1171
Grand Prairie, TX 75054-1172

Mark is also active in the Maryland community in other ways, helping the Ravens with events such as the Thanksgiving Day distribution to families in need.  Mark is also interested in all charities that provide assistance to single moms in need.

Here is a recap of Mark's charity work since 2005:

July 2009 – Mark Clayton and the Mark Clayton Foundation teamed with Casey Cares, a non-profit organization that works to provide support for children that are ill, for their annual golf tournament in Bel Air, Md. Mark was teamed with the Hargadon family, a thankful Casey Cares family, which said “I just played as "Mark Clayton" on Madden '09 and scored 60 points.  And now I'm talking to him......how cool is that!  He is so nice and he really talked to us and listened to what we were saying.  He is GREAT!! I got his autograph and a picture.  I am going to frame it for my room.”

• Mark Clayton and the Mark Clayton Foundation, in partnership with Sports International hosted the 2^nd Annual Mark Clayton Football Camp at McDaniel College in Westminster, MD. Hundreds of youth gathered to spend a week learning and refining their football skills as well as attending coaching sessions and lectures conducted by Mark, other Ravens players and highly noted football coaches. For more information or to register for next year’s camp, visit: www.footballcamps.com.
  
• Mark Clayton and The Mark Clayton Foundation partnered with a Baltimore Headstart Program to develop a documentary style film for Headstart students and their families encouraging them to live an active lifestyle together. Mark Clayton spent the day reading and playing with students as well as serving as the host of the film.
  
  
• Mark Clayton and the Mark Clayton Foundation teamed with the Kids Across America program in Branson, MO to impact hundreds of youth through a fun filled weekend. During the weekend Mark and the foundation worked with the KAA staff to build Christian leaders by encouraging, equipping and empowering urban youth and their mentors through sports camping. For more information on KAA camps, visit: www.kidsacrossamerica.org.

June 2009 - Mark Clayton and the Mark Clayton Foundation sponsored The Best of the Best 7 on 7 Event in Oklahoma City, OK.  The event took place at Taft Stadium including Douglass, Capital Hill, Norman, Putnam City North, MWC, Centennial, and US Grant High Schools in a double elimination process and a championship game the students were able to display their talents and be competitive in the sport they love.  NFL Players and OKC Police Officers offered words of encouragement and inspiration for the children to continue their education.

• Mark Clayton Foundation supported Douglass High School Football Program that supported 250 children ages 7 – 15 for a “FUN-DA-MENTAL” Football Camp in Oklahoma City, OK.
  
  
• Mark Clayton Foundation supported the Play-Makers Charities for Children whose parents are disabled and unable to provide for their children.
  
  
• Mark Clayton and the Mark Clayton Foundation supported The Troy Smith Foundation for an Inner City Youth Football Camp benefiting the Greater Cleveland Muny Football League (Muny) to benefit the nearly 4,000 children participating in the Muny Football Program. Mark spent the day providing football instruction to the youth that attended the camp.
  
  
• Mark Clayton and the Mark Clayton Foundation supported the Eye of the Hurricane Foundation to help raise money for Educational Scholarships and inspired others as he teamed up with Ed Reed for a charity golf event followed by a youth camp in Louisiana. 

May 2009 – Celebrity Golf Tournament Event Sponsored by Global Bullion Exchange, LLC in West Palm Beach, FL at “The PGA National Golf Resort and Spa” with other NFL Players to raise funds for The Mark Clayton Foundation Programming Efforts.

• Mark Clayton nominated his former High School Coach, Ken Ozee for the NFL High School Football Coach of the Year Award – Ken Ozee was one of five finalists that received a $2500.00 cash award and a $5000.00 grant for Sam Houston High School Football Program.
  
  
• Mark Clayton Foundation along with Jamal Brown of the New Orleans Saints supported “A Mother’s Day Surprise” for underprivileged but deserving Mothers for Mother’s Day in Houston, TX thru the Building and Restoring Hope Foundation. Mark gave two mothers of adopted children a well deserved day of pampering.   
  
  
• Mark Clayton and the Mark Clayton Foundation supported The Vince Young Foundation and the Houston Children’s Charities for a community weekend for underserved children.

April 2009 – Mark Clayton Foundation supported the Rams of Oklahoma Inc Athletic Program for the exposure of disadvantage youth to college coaches and most importantly the emphasizing the impact of obtaining an education while playing sports.

• Mark Clayton Foundation supported the Adrian Peterson All Day Foundation to support his underprivileged children football camp.
  
  
• Mark Clayton and the Mark Clayton Foundation participated in Tommie Harris charity weekend which included a charity golf event in support of the Tommie Harris Foundation.

March 2009 – Mark Clayton and the Mark Clayton Foundation supported the “Red Tie Night” benefiting the Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund to bring education and assistance to those with HIV/AIDS. 

• Mark Clayton and the Mark Clayton Foundation visited youth at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Md. 

February 2009 – Mark Clayton and the Mark Clayton Foundation assisted with Creative Opportunities Academically for College Hopefuls (C.O.A.C.H.) with hosting a Financial Literacy Workshop to help parents of prospective student athletes complete FAFSA.

• Mark Clayton Foundation supported the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Inc by given a grant of $1000.00 to their research program as his Super Bowl XLIII charitable contribution.
  
  
• Mark Clayton participated in the NFL Gospel Choir during Super Bowl XLIII in Tampa, FL.

January 2009 - Mark Clayton Foundation supported the Athletic Program through the Office of Development at Paul Quinn College for the development of servant leaders and agents of change that will impact not only their communities, but the nation!

Recap of events in 2008

Recap of events in 2007

Recap of events in 2006

Recap of events in 2005