A fortunate combination of leadership skill, a passion for football, and dedication to philanthropy defines Washington Football Team owner Dan Snyder. While many outstanding members of communities across the country may possess one or even two of these admirable traits, the presence of all three creates a uniquely talented person. Snyder’s outstanding contributions not only benefit the Washington, D.C., area but extend to other neighborhoods and countries as well.
Following Early Interests
Now living in Potomac, Maryland, with his wife Tanya and their three children, Snyder accompanied his dad to see his team as a child when it carried the Redskins name. After purchasing Washington Redskins in 1999, he put the team in a leadership position not only in the league but in community activity and business as well, where it continues to achieve remarkable accomplishments. Going into the playoffs as NFC East champs complements the team’s efforts to raise millions of dollars for Snyder’s charities.
Providing Prompt Understanding and Vital Support
The 2020 murder of George Floyd elicited immediate support from Snyder for the Black community with a $250,000 donation from the team to increase awareness of social justice inequities. When COVID-19 threatened devastating health consequences, he opened FedExField as a testing site with the help of the Maryland National Guard. A $100,000 donation to the Capital Area Food Bank eased some food insecurity for underprivileged families, and an additional $35,000 helped restore the historic Ashburn Colored School in Loudoun County, Virginia, after a vandalizing incident.
Offering On-going Care
Dan Snyder’s contributions to disaster relief enhance the efforts of his Charitable Foundation along with his support for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). He serves on the Children’s National Hospital Foundation board, and his generous support provided funding for its Snyder Family Emergency Medicine and Trauma Center. Acknowledging the hundreds of calls that NCMEC fields every day from runaways, concerned parents, and law enforcement, he funded the Daniel M. Snyder and Family Communication Center.
Reaching out to the military community, Snyder led his team to create an appreciation club called Salute that continues a 10-year charitable initiative. The first in the NFL to do so, the team offers services and support that host parties before game time and celebrate reenlistments. He joined forces with the Gary Sinise Foundation to build a specially adapted home for a veteran and fan who became paralyzed during his military service.
Continuing Philanthropic Work Locally
Snyder’s Washington Charitable Foundation, founded in 2000, hosts workshops that encourage elementary school students’ literacy through its Read Program. An expanded health and wellness program targets 7th graders. More than 12,000 children in four local school districts benefit from the innovative outreach efforts. Programs at the Foundation have contributed more than $29 million to improve the lives of youth in the greater D.C. area. An expansion of the Loads of Love program installed free laundry facilities at locations accessible to the homeless and funded laundry centers for other charitable organizations.
Extending Support Internationally
Natural disasters in the Caribbean caused Dan Snyder to mobilize emergency supplies to the Bahamas, and Haitian team members delivered medical supplies to Port Au Prince. Likewise, he responded to the tsunami in Thailand and Indonesia with substantial financial aid as he had for Hurricane Katrina.
Focusing on Business
Attention to football fans’ enjoyment of sports led Snyder to offer access to the team’s training sessions that let more than 165,000 watch the walkthroughs and practices. Additionally, about 5,000 children enjoyed the Foundation’s Play 60 as well as programs offered for cheerleaders. A concussion clinic gave 200 high school coaches guidance on understanding its importance.
Daniel Snyder’s leadership in the business community started when he founded Snyder Communications in 1985, growing the annual revenue to more than $1 billion. His position as CEO made him the youngest of any company on the New York Stock Exchange at the time. He sold the company to France’s Havas marketing firm for more than $2.3 billion, the largest merger of its kind in the marketing industry at the time. He contributes his considerable expertise in marketing to the NFL through his appointment to the Business Ventures Committee and the Digital Media Committee where he serves in a chair position. He devotes time to the Hall of Fame Committee that provides oversight of the Pro Football Hall of Fame where he serves on the Board of Trustees. His other volunteer duties include service on the Stadium and International Committees.
Accepting Honors
Appreciation for Snyder’s philanthropy comes from widespread national recognition as well as the millions of people whose lives have benefited from his support. Enshrinement in the Greater Washington Jewish Sports Hall of Fame and receipt of the Charles B. Wang International Children’s Award from NCMEC provide some well-deserved recognition.
