We transform children's lives.

Who We Are

For more than 30 years, we’ve used soccer to advance social impact across the U.S. We work daily to build a better future by ensuring that young people in under-resourced communities have access to soccer programs and trained coach-mentors who support in their personal development beyond the playing field. We share this commitment with our partners and supporters and together, we help foster a happy and healthy generation of young people.

What We Believe

It takes a Team of dedicated individuals to achieve meaningful impact. Our Team is committed to fostering an environment where every individual is and feels safe, valued, and respected. We believe that our Team’s strength lies in the unique perspectives and experiences of each individual member. We recognize that our differences in age, race, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, physical ability, thinking style, identity, and background are critical to the success and impact of our organization.

In our workplace, we aim to create an environment where everyone can thrive, contribute their best work, and be comfortable bringing their authentic selves to our mission. We work to ensure all voices are heard and respected and are reflected in the talent we hire, the programs we offer, and the impact we have in communities.

Our Core Values

• Embrace Ambition: We do not settle for what is, we are innovative and push the status quo. We are comfortable with the uncomfortable; big goals bring on uncharted territory. We seek to continuously improve and always pursue excellence.
• Community-Focused: We take a ‘work with, not for or to’ approach. We engage communities to drive systemic change. We are conscious leaders, sharing tools for success.
• Dynamic Team Spirit: We are fun and passionate about our cause. We support our teammates’ successes and priorities. We strive to be a team that considers all perspectives and reflects our diverse communities.

Our History

Three decades ago, the United States hosted the Men’s FIFA World Cup for the first time. Out of that unforgettable tournament came an idea—one bold belief—that soccer could be more than a game. Thanks to the vision of Alan Rothenberg, the President of U.S. Soccer at that time, proceeds from the tournament started the U.S. Soccer Foundation, a 501c3 operating separately from the national governing body, with the mission of growing the game in the United States.

Alan’s vision, and the creation of the U.S. Soccer Foundation, helped lead to rapid growth of the game from the grassroots to the professional levels. Investments from the Foundation supported the development of more than 1,100 playing fields, helped launch Major League Soccer and all iterations of the women’s professional league, and supported the hosting of the 1999 and 2003 Women’s World Cups. With the Foundation’s support, the game grew phenomenally, with more than four million registered youth players, professional leagues at three levels, and a rapidly growing national fan base. However, lower-income, under-resourced communities did not experience that same wave of growth.

In 2009, at the height of a historic economic downturn, the U.S. Soccer Foundation Board of Directors committed to addressing that disparity. The Foundation created a strategy to develop the programs and additional resources required to spark a second wave of growth–this one focused on underserved communities.

As a result, the Foundation invested in developing successful programs and strategies to not only grow the game, but also provide meaningful and sustainable impact in communities nationwide. This started with Soccer for Success, our after-school program designed for children that improves their physical activity and overall well-being. Our programs have since expanded to where they are today but are all based on the methodology and expertise gained from this flagship program.