WASHINGTON – The U.S. Soccer Foundation today announced it has awarded eight grants totaling $230,687 to build and enhance safe places to play in eight communities. The grants will allow access to safe playing spaces for 6,870 youth and adults.
The grants are part of the Foundation’s Safe Places to Play program, which transforms underutilized spaces into state-of-the-art soccer fields in underserved communities where there is often an acute shortage of safe play spaces. Non-profit organizations eligible to receive grant funding include those that provide children with the opportunity to play soccer and programming that promotes healthy youth development.
“The U.S. Soccer Foundation is proud to support these eight organizations in their efforts to expand access to safe places to play in their communities,” said Ed Foster-Simeon, President & CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation. “Not only will these fields allow children to play soccer, but they will also provide additional space for all community members to embrace our game and a healthy and active lifestyle.”
The grants will help cover the costs of design, construction, surfacing and enhancements. Grants this cycle were awarded to:
- Academy 360 (Denver, CO)
- John Brown University (Siloam Springs, AR)
- Kids Unlimited of Oregon (Medford, OR)
- Ohio Valley University (Vienna, WV)
- Rapid City Catholic School System (Rapid City, SD)
- Smith County Parks & Recreation Department (Carthage, TN)
- Stevensville Youth Soccer (Stevensville, MT)
- University of West Alabama (Livingston, AL)
Since its inception in 1994, the U.S. Soccer Foundation has impacted nearly 2 million children in all 50 states and the District of Columbia with soccer programming, equipment and safe playing spaces to help them embrace a healthy and active lifestyle and cultivate critical life skills needed for success.
Support for the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s grant process is provided by the Foundation’s corporate partners, including Hellas Construction, Hunter Industries, Kwik Goal, Musco Sports Lighting, Soccer.com, and Sport Court.
To learn more about the U.S. Soccer Foundation, please visit www.ussoccerfoundation.org.
About the U.S. Soccer Foundation
The U.S. Soccer Foundation’s programs are the national model for sports-based youth development in underserved communities. Since its founding in 1994, the Foundation has established programs proven to help children embrace an active and healthy lifestyle while nurturing their personal growth beyond sports. Its cost-effective, high-impact initiatives offer safe environments where kids and communities thrive. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Soccer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. For more information, visit www.ussoccerfoundation.org or follow us on Twitter at @ussoccerfndn and Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/ussoccerfoundation.
Media Contact
Jennifer Arnold
U.S. Soccer Foundation
jarnold@ussoccerfoundation.org
202-872-6662
