Washington, D.C.– The U.S. Soccer Foundation, the major charitable arm of soccer in the United States, announced that it has awarded 37 grants totaling more than $1.8 million to non-profit organizations serving youth in underserved communities across the nation.
In its continued effort to grow the game of soccer and utilize it to improve the well-being of children in under-resourced communities, the U.S. Soccer Foundation awards grants to support soccer programming and field-building initiatives nationwide. Non-profit organizations eligible to receive grant funding include those that provide children with the opportunity to play soccer and provide programming that promotes healthy youth development.
“Our goal at the U.S. Soccer Foundation is to provide children with access to quality soccer programs that support both physical and personal development,” said Ed Foster-Simeon, President and CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation. “We are pleased to support organizations that not only help grow the game of soccer, but make a positive impact on the lives of the children and families in their communities.”
37 awards were distributed this grants cycle, with 19 bestowed as part of the Safe Places to Play program. The Safe Places to Play program seeks to build or enhance field spaces in underserved areas in order to provide safe places for children to play. To date, the Foundation has helped create or improve over 1,000 safe places for children nationwide.
Support for the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s grant process is provided by the Foundation’s corporate partners, including, FieldTurf, Hunter Industries, Musco Sports Lighting, PEVO Sports, Soccer.com and Sport Court. Since its inception in 1994, the U.S. Soccer Foundation has now awarded more than $60 million in grant awards to non-profit organizations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
“FieldTurf is a proud partner of the Safe Places to Play program,” said FieldTurf President Eric Daliere. “We take pride in our ability to make a difference in communities across America by providing safe places for athletes of all ages to play the game of soccer.”
To learn more about the U.S. Soccer Foundation, please visit www.ussoccerfoundation.org.
The 2013 Program Grant Recipients
A Place Called Home (Los Angeles, CA)
Arrowhead Youth Soccer Association (Duluth, MN)
Asphalt Green (Harlem, NY)
Elm City Internationals (New Haven, CT)
Esperanza Academy (Lawrence, MA)
Goal 4 Health (Loma Linda, CA)
Gonzo Soccer (Houston, TX)
Inti Soccer Academy (Manchester, NH)
Notah Begay III Foundation (Santa Ana Pueblo, NM)
San Antonio Sports Foundation (San Antonio, TX)
Santa Cruz County FC Revolution (Santa Cruz, CA)
Soccer Without Borders (Boston, MA)
Street Soccer USA (Chicago, IL)
The Salvation Army – Camden (Camden, NJ)
THINK Together (Los Angeles, CA)
Utah Development Academy (Salt Lake City, UT)
YALLA San Diego (San Diego, CA)
YMCA of Rome & Floyd County (Rome, GA)
The 2013 Safe Places to Play Grant Recipients
Beyond Soccer (Lawrence, MA)
Boston Parks and Recreation Department (2 grants) (Boston, MA)
Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Atlanta (Atlanta, GA)
Boys and Girls Clubs of South Central Alabama (Montgomery, AL)
Cascade Futbol Club (Salem, OR)
Calvary Day School (Savannah, GA)
Chicago Park District – Dunbar Field (Chicago, IL)
Chicago Park District – Kelly Park (Chicago, IL)
City and County of Denver Parks and Recreation (Denver, CO)
City of Denton Parks and Recreation (Denton, TX)
City of Tamarac Parks and Recreation (Tamarac, FL)
City of Yuba City Parks and Recreation (Yuba City, CA)
Congaree Rapid Soccer Association (West Columbia, SC)
Detroit PAL (Detroit, MI)
Jersey City Recreation Foundation (Jersey City, NJ)
Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County (Pittsburgh, PA)
Stevensville Youth Soccer (Stevensville, MT)
Voorhees Township (Voorhees, NJ)
About the U.S. Soccer Foundation
The U.S. Soccer Foundation is a recognized leader in sports-based youth development programs for children in underserved, urban communities. Since its founding in 1994, the organization has provided more than $60 million in funding to create and sustain innovative programs across all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Proven to deliver positive health and social outcomes, the Foundation’s affordable initiatives offer safe environments in which both boys and girls thrive. Headquartered in Washington, D.C. the U.S. Soccer Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization. Visit www.ussoccerfoundation.org to learn more.
Editor Note: For your understanding, we are a separate entity from USSF/US/U.S. Soccer. When referring to the U.S. Soccer Foundation, please refer to it by its proper name.
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