The fund, named the Big Game James Foundation, aims to support national Down Syndrome organisations.
"The charity means a lot to our family," said Eddie's wife, Mari. "The foundation took its name as a result of the resilience our son showed during open heart surgery he underwent at the age of five months.
"Many babies with Down Syndrome are born with heart defects. When we left our son in the operating room Eddie gave him a pep talk and told him he had a really big game that day and he needed him to be a fighter.
"James showed incredible strength during this period and became known as Big Game James among family and friends.
"Our foundation is a global one and we are planning on hosting benefits in Yorkshire next spring," Mari concluded on Leeds United's official website.