Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Soccer Foundation, the national model in sports-based youth development in underserved communities, announced today that it has awarded 24 grants totaling $622,320 to non-profit organizations serving over 26,700 children in underserved communities nationwide.
Every community wants the best for their kids, but not all communities have the resources to make that happen. The U.S. Soccer Foundation awards grants to programs and projects that share our belief that the game of soccer breaks down barriers for children to live healthier, more secure and confident lives.
“The U.S. Soccer Foundation is thrilled for the grant recipients,” said Ed Foster-Simeon, President & CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation. “Through sports-based youth development, these organizations give children much more than soccer. They provide a structured environment that instills self-discipline, builds self-confidence, encourages a healthy and active lifestyle and fosters quality relationships. We believe these organizations will ultimately create sustainable change in communities across the nation.”
Six grants were awarded as part of U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Safe Places to Play program. Across the country, children in underserved communities face an acute shortage of safe places to play largely because there isn’t enough space in which to create them or funding to maintain them. Safe Places to Play gives kids safe and accessible areas to play by funding the costs of design, construction, surfacing and enhancement in these communities.
Since its inception in 1994, the U.S. Soccer Foundation has awarded more than $100 million in grants to non-profit organizations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Support for the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s grant process is provided by the Foundation’s corporate partners, including Hellas Construction, Kwik Goal, Hunter Industries, Musco Sports Lighting, Soccer.com, and Sport Court.
Fall 2016 Program Grant Recipients
- Birmingham YMCA Youth Center – Birmingham, AL
- Boston Parks & Recreation Department – Boston, MA
- Burten, Bell, Carr Development, Inc. – Cleveland, OH
- Chattanooga Girls Leadership Academy – Chattanooga, TN
- East Baton Rouge Parish School System – Baton Rouge, LA
- Fort Smith Express Soccer – Fort Smith, AR
- Hebrew Education Society (HES) – Brooklyn, NY
- International Minority Hub – Bedford, NH
- Jamestown Community Center – San Francisco, CA
- New Brunswick Tomorrow – New Brunswick, NJ
- Oakland University – Rochester, MI
- Peter & Paul Community Services – St. Louis, MO
- Pure Game – Aliso Viejo, CA
- San Antonio Sports – San Antonio, TX
- SeaTac United – SeaTac, WA
- Special Olympics Massachusetts – Marlboro, MA
- Thunder Plus / Higher Ground Academy – St. Paul, MN
- West End Health Center – Cincinnati, OH
Fall 2016 Safe Places to Play Grant Recipients
- Edwardsburg Sports Complex – Edwardsburg, MI
- City of Vista – Vista, CA
- City of West Covina – West Covina, CA
- City of Indio – Indio, CA
- City of Mount Vernon – Mount Vernon, NY
- Sozo Sports of Central Washington – Yakima, WA
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 www.facebook.com/ussoccerfoundation.
Media Contact:
Krista Washington
U.S. Soccer Foundation
kwashington@ussoccerfoundation.org
202-872-6662
