The Washington Redskins Original Americans Foundation was a nonprofit organization started by Daniel Snyder, controlling owner of the Washington Redskins football team. It was formed in 2014 under a climate of controversy around the name of the team, which Native American organizations such as the National Congress of American Indians consider offensive. According to a letter[1] from Snyder, it "will address the urgent challenges plaguing Indian country based on what tribal leaders tell us they need most."[2] In the letter to season ticket holders, announcing the Foundation, Snyder stated that he and other team representatives had visited 26 reservations in twenty states to "listen and learn first-hand about the views, attitudes, and experiences of the Tribes". The letter quotes Pueblo of Zuni Governor Arlen Quetawki, saying "I appreciated your sincerity to learn about our culture and the real life issues we face on a daily basis". Torrez-Martinez of Desert Cahuilla was quoted in the letter as saying, "There are Native Americans everywhere that 100 percent support the Redskins".[2] Snyder also used his letter to cite instances of support for the team name by other Native Americans during his visits.[3]
After decades of defending the name, amidst the removal of many names and images as part of the George Floyd protests, and pressure from investors and sponsors, the Redskins began the process of changing their name.[4][5] On July 23, 2020 the team announced that, given that a rebranding will take 12 to 18 months, they will be called the Washington Football Team with a block "W" logo for the 2020 season.[6] In September 2020 the foundation was renamed Washington Football Team Original Americans Foundation, but in November 2020 the team announced that it would no longer have any connection to the foundation.[7] On February 2, 2022, the new team name, Washington Commanders, was announced.