Washington, D.C. – The U.S. Soccer Foundation, the major charitable arm of soccer in the United States, today announced it has awarded 31 grants totaling nearly $1,300,000 to non-profit organizations serving youth in underserved communities across the nation – an increase of over $800,000 in grants awarded in the previous grant cycle.
In its continued effort to grow the game of soccer and drive well-being improvement for children in underserved 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.
“The U.S. Soccer Foundation is grateful for the ability to increase our funding for organizations that work tirelessly to positively impact the lives of youth in underserved communities across the country,” said Ed Foster-Simeon, President and CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation. “The 31 organizations awarded grants during this cycle will utilize the funds to grow the game of soccer and provide safe places for children to play in their local communities.”
Fourteen awards were distributed this grant cycle 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. Over the last two decades, the Foundation has helped create or improve hundreds of safe places for children nationwide, with projects such as field building and lighting installation, to irrigating fields and building Sports Courts.
In addition to Safe Places to Play grantees, the Foundation awarded grants to 17 organizations in 11 states to support programs aimed at growing the game of soccer in underserved communities across the country. This cycle, the Foundation received over 224 grant applications from 39 states – indicative of communities across the country valuing the impact the game of soccer has on youth.
Support for the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s grant process is provided by the Foundation’s corporate partners, including Hellas Construction, Hunter Industries, Musco Sports Lighting, Soccer.com, and Sport Court. Since its inception in 1994, the U.S. Soccer Foundation has awarded more than $100 million in grant awards to non-profit organizations in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
To learn more about the U.S. Soccer Foundation, please visit www.ussoccerfoundation.org.
Safe Places to Play Grant Recipients
- Georgia State Soccer Association – Atlanta, GA
- Charter School – Buffalo, NY
- Cherry Valley-Springfield Central School – Cherry Valley, NY
- City of Garfield – Garfield, NJ
- City of Perth Amboy – Perth Amboy, NJ
- Street Soccer USA – San Francisco, CA
- City of Inglewood – Inglewood, CA
- City of Glendora Community Services – Glendora, CA
- Calvert Soccer Association – Prince Frederick, MD
- Vision Soccer Academy of Waukee – Waukee, IA
- Berkshire Community College Foundation – Pittsfield, MA
- City of Evanston – Evanston, IL
- Zuni Youth Enrichment Project – Zuni, NM
- Angelo State University Foundation – San Angelo, TX
Program Grant Recipients
- America SCORES New York – New York, NY
- Asphalt Green – New York, NY
- Algonquin Sports for Kids – Buffalo, NY
- America SCORES Cleveland – Cleveland, OH
- Ohio City Incorporated – Cleveland, OH
- Parks & People Foundation – Baltimore, MD
- Emerald Youth Foundation – Knoxville, TN
- YMCA of Greater Kansas City – Kansas City, MO
- Guadalupe Centers, Inc. – Kansas City, MO
- P.F. Bresee Foundation – Los Angeles, CA
- Deputy Sheriffs’ Activities League – San Leandro, CA
- Inter-Tribal Sports, Inc. – Temecula, CA
- YMCA of Pierce and Kitsap Counties – Tacoma, WA
- Second Ward Futbol Club – El Paso, TX
- Omaha Salvation Army – Omaha, NE
- Coastal Outreach Soccer / Georgia Soccer Association – Brunswick, GA
- Greenwood Family YMCA – Greenwood, SC
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 $100 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 http://www.ussoccerfoundation.org to learn more.
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Media Contacts:
Krista Washington
U.S. Soccer Foundation
kwashington@ussoccerfoundation.org
202-872-6662
Eleanor Arlook
Maroon PR
Eleanor@MaroonPR.com
443-864-4246
