FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
U.S. Soccer Foundation, Meredith McClure, 202.872.6662, mmcclure@ussoccerfoundation.org
Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Soccer Foundation, the Major Charitable Arm of Soccer in the United States, announced today that it awarded 63 grants totaling $2.5 million to non-profit organizations serving youth in 30 states.
The 2011 grant awards reflect the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s focus on improving the health and well being of children in underserved communities. The awards will support programming, coaching and equipment for players and the construction of safe playing fields that will facilitate the continued growth of soccer in the United States.
“The U.S. Soccer Foundation is proud to support each of these projects that keep our youth active, healthy and engaged in activities that provide a positive alternative to negative influences,” said Ed Foster-Simeon, President & CEO. “By supporting the development of programs and safe playing fields, we help ensure that children in underserved communities have easy and affordable access to quality soccer programs that support their physical and personal development.”
The Foundation is grateful for the support provided by members of its Partners Resource Center, a team of soccer industry leaders that includes Eurosport, Hunter Industries, Musco Sports Lighting, The Toro Company, and Sport Court.
The Foundation awarded 17 Footprint Field Grants to develop new FieldTurf soccer fields in communities across the country. The Footprint Fields program, supported by adidas, FieldTurf and MLS W.OR.K.S, Major League Soccer’s community outreach initaitve, is aimed at growing the game of soccer and providing safe, sustainable playing spaces in underserved communities.
Since its inception, the U.S. Soccer Foundation has awarded more than $54 million to groups, both large and small, in all 50 states.
The 2011 Program and Field Grants
- America SCORES (New York, NY)
- Blackhills Community Soccer Complex (Tumwater, WA)
- Breakaway College Access Project (Freedom, CA)
- Canoga Park High School (Canoga Park, CA)
- Carlisle Soccer Club (Carlisle, IA)
- Central California Blues (Bakersfield, CA)
- Central Delaware Soccer Association (Dover, DE)
- Charter School of Applied Technologies (Buffalo, NY)
- City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department (Columbia, SC)
- City of Independence Parks and Recreation (Independence, MO)
- City of Miami, Florida (Miami, FL)
- City of North Miami (North Miami, FL)
- City of Orange Cove (Orange Cove, CA)
- City of San Bernardino (San Bernardino, CA)
- City of Santa Maria Recreation and Parks Department (Santa Maria, CA)
- Clarkston Community Center (Clarkston, GA)
- EdVantages (Columbus, OH)
- Fairfax County Park Authority (Fairfax, VA)
- First Chernomorets USA, Inc (Brooklyn, NY)
- Friends of New Orleans Recreation Department (New Orleans, LA)
- Help USA (New York, NY)
- Highland Park Commons (Chattanooga, TN)
- Hispanics Against Child Abuse and Neglect (HACAN) (Fairfax, VA)
- John Avery Boys and Girls Club (Durham, NC)
- Jovenes Inc. (Los Angeles, CA)
- Kleberg County Parks & Recreation (Kingsville, TX)
- Lighthouse Community Charter School (Oakland, CA)
- Mattie Rhodes Center (Kansas City, MO)
- Miami-Dade County Public Schools (Miami, FL)
- Nether Providence Athletic Assoc. Soccer (Media, PA)
- New Britain Parks and Recreation Department (New Britain, CT)
- NorthStar Soccer Club (Birmingham, AL)
- Notah Begay III Foundation (Santa Ana Pueblo, NM)
- Omaha Housing Authority Foundation, Inc. (Omaha, NE)
- Palmetto United Futbol Club (Fort Mill, SC)
- Parker School (Kamuela, HI)
- San Francisco Recreation and Park Dept (San Francisco, CA)
- Stonestown Family YMCA (San Francisco, CA)
- The Sanneh Foundation (Eden Prairie, MN)
- Think Detroit Police Athletic League, Inc. (Detroit, MI)
- Ultimate Goal Ministries (Nashville, TN)
- Washington Youth Soccer (Federal Way, WA)
- Windsor Locks Public Schools (Windsor Locks, CT)
- YMCA of Greater Richmond (Richmond, VA)
- YMCA of Southern West Virginia Inc. (Beckley, WV)
- Youth Speak Collective (Pacoima, CA)
2011 Footprint Fields Grant Recipients:
- Chicago Public Schools (Chicago, IL)
- City of San Bruno (San Bruno, CA)
- Concordia University – Portland (Portland, OR)
- Cordova Recreation and Park District (Rancho Cordova, CA)
- Enlace Chicago (Chicago, IL)
- Indiana University – Michael A. Carroll Track & Soccer Stadium (Indianapolis, IN)
- Kansas City Soccer Foundation (Kansas City, MO)
- Madison Area Youth Soccer Association (Madison, WI)
- Michigan Wolves (Detroit, MI)
- Northside Independent School District (San Antonio, TX)
- Parkways Foundation (Chicago, IL)
- Salt Lake City Corporation (Salt Lake City, UT)
- St. Benedict’s Preparatory School (Newark, NJ)
- The Salvation Army Metropolitan Division (Chicago, IL)
- Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District (Beaverton, OR)
- West Aurora High School (Aurora, IL)
- Widener University (Chester, PA)
About the U.S. Soccer Foundation
The U.S. Soccer Foundation is the Major Charitable Arm of Soccer in the United States. Established in 1994, the U.S. Soccer Foundation has invested more than $54 million, supporting projects in each of the 50 states. The U.S. Soccer Foundation supports programs and field building projects that provide low income and at-risk youth in urban communities with soccer programs that promote education, healthy lifestyles, leadership and positive alternatives to drugs, crime and other at-risk behaviors. For more information, or to donate online, please visit ussoccerfoundation.org/donate.
Media Request: When referring to the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the Major Charitable Arm of Soccer in the United States, please refer to the organization only as the U.S. Soccer Foundation or the Soccer Foundation, and never as USSF or US/U.S. Soccer. We appreciate your cooperation.
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