FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT: Krista Washington, kwashington@ussoccerfoundation.org, 202-872-6662
Washington, D.C. – On March 7, 2012 the U.S. Soccer Foundation awarded a $300,000 Social Innovation Fund Sub-Grant, over two years, to the Colorado Fusion to support the implementation of Soccer for Success, the Foundation’s after-school, sports-based youth development program that uses soccer as a tool to combat childhood obesity and provides nutrition education and mentorship to children in at-risk communities.
In August 2011, the U.S. Soccer Foundation received a grant from the prestigious 2011 Social Innovation Fund, on behalf of the Corporation for National and Community Service, to support programs that promote healthy lifestyles and reduce obesity rates for children in urban, underserved communities. The U.S. Soccer Foundation, the Major Charitable Arm of Soccer in the United States, was one of five intermediaries to receive this award.
In 2012, the Soccer for Success program will expand to serve thirteen cities and over 12,000 children, as a result of the award the Foundation received from the Social Innovation Fund. The Colorado Fusion was one of thirteen organizations to receive this Sub-Grant.
“The U.S. Soccer Foundation is proud to receive an award from the Social Innovation Fund to expand the Soccer for Success national footprint,” said Ed Foster-Simeon, President & CEO. “We believe that Soccer for Success is an innovative program that can make a positive impact on youth. We are happy to assist organizations that are committed to improving the well-being of children in at-risk communities using soccer.”
U.S. Rep. Ed Perlmutter (CO-07) said, “After school programs are essential for positive growth and development of kids. I support initiatives to reduce childhood obesity rates and adolescent delinquency through extracurricular activities. The U.S. Soccer Foundation’s efforts help meet those goals. The Foundation’s Soccer for Success program provides much-needed mentorship and nutrition education to at-risk youth to ensure the next generation of Americans is healthy and have the resources to achieve their dreams and lead our nation forward.”
The Social Innovation Fund requires that each federal dollar granted be matched by the intermediaries and again by the organizations selected to receive a Sub-Grant. Sub-Grantees will begin implementing Soccer for Success in Fall/Winter 2012.
2012 Social Innovation Fund Sub-Grantees
Boys and Girls Club of Camden County (Camden, NJ)
Boys and Girls Club of Metro Atlanta (Atlanta, GA)
Boys and Girls Club of Trenton and Mercer County (Trenton, NJ)
Brotherhood Crusade (Los Angeles, CA)
Colorado Fusion Soccer Club (Denver, CO)
DC SCORES (Washington, DC)
El Monte Community Building Initiative (CBI) (El Monte, CA)
Houston Parks & Recreation Department (Houston, TX)
Independent Health Foundation (Buffalo, NY)
Think Detroit Police Athletic League (Detroit, MI)
Washington Youth Soccer Association (Seattle, WA)
Widener University (Chester, PA)
YMCA of Greater Dayton (Dayton, OH)
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 $55 million in all 50 states. The U.S. Soccer Foundation supports programs and field building projects that provide underserved youth in urban communities with opportunities that promote positive behavior, healthy lifestyles, self-confidence and positive alternatives to drugs, crime and other at-risk behaviors.
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 Foundation, and never as USSF or US/U.S. Soccer. Furthermore, please format “U.S.” with periods and never without. We appreciate your cooperation.
####
