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Together, we can give millions of kids from underserved communities safe places to grow, thrive and build confidence for life.
U.S. Soccer Foundation Awards $309,318 in Grant Funding to Expand Access to Safe and Accessible Places to Play
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Soccer Foundation today announced it has awarded 13 grants totaling $309,318 to organizations that will build and enhance safe places to play in 10 states. When completed, the projects will provide access to safe play spaces for at least 36,171 youth and adults.
In three cycles throughout the year, the Foundation awards synthetic turf, lighting, irrigation, and Sport Court grants as a part of the Safe Places to Play program. Recipients receive grants that fund project costs for design, construction, irrigation, lighting, surfacing, and other enhancements.
“Unfortunately, too many youth in our country do not live within walking distance of a safe place to play in their own neighborhoods,” said Ed Foster-Simeon, President & CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation. “Through these grants, we aim to not only create access by building and enhancing these play spaces, but also provide opportunities for community members to reap all the benefits that the game has to offer.”
Fall 2018 Safe Places to Play Grant Recipients
- Boys & Girls Club of Brockton (Brockton, MA)
- Burbank Reavis District 220 (Burbank, IL)
- Capital Futbol Club (Salem, OR)
- City of Central Falls (Central Falls, RI)
- City of Costa Mesa* (Costa Mesa, CA)
- City of East Ridge (East Ridge, TN)
- Cristo Rey Philadelphia High School (Philadelphia, PA)
- Eastmont Metropolitan Park District (East Wenatchee, WA)
- Give Merit, Inc. (Detroit, MI)
- Manchester Parks and Recreation Department (Manchester, TN)
- Monson Sultana Unified School District (Sultana, CA)
- Our Holy Redeemer (Freeport, NY)
*Received multiple grants
These grants support the mission of the Foundation’s It’s Everyone’s Game national movement to ensure that children living in underserved communities can enjoy the health and youth development benefits of the game. Launched in 2017, the Foundation aims to build 1,000 mini-pitches nationwide and engage one million children in the Foundation’s Soccer for Success program annually by 2026. In line with this mission, these projects will provide children with safe and high-quality places to play the beautiful game.
Support for the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s grant process is provided by the Foundation’s corporate partners, including Astroturf, Hunter Industries, Musco Lighting, 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
jarnold@ussoccerfoundation.org
202.872.6662