The U.S. Soccer Foundation has awarded a grant to Chattanooga Sports Ministries to support its year-round urban youth soccer league. The grant will be used to provide CSM with some much-needed soccer equipment, such as apparel, cones, and ball bags, which will be used by CSM coaches and players at games and practices throughout the year.
The U.S. Soccer Foundation, the Major Charitable Arm of Soccer in the United States, on Feb. 3, awarded 60 grants totaling $2.4 million to non-profit organizations serving youth in urban, underserved areas in twenty states across the nation. Since being established in 1994, the U.S. Soccer Foundation has awarded more than $55 million to non-profit organizations in all 50 states.
Through the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s 2012 Annual Grants program, the Foundation strives to continue its mission of enhancing and growing the sport of soccer as well as improving the well-being of children in underserved areas. Grant awards support the programming and equipment needs of non-profit organizations that provide children with the opportunity to play soccer and live a healthy lifestyle.
In addition to providing grants to support soccer programs, the U.S. Soccer Foundation awarded 18 Synthetic Field Building grants to develop new FieldTurf soccer fields around the country. Supported by adidas, FieldTurf and MLS W.O.R.K.S., Major League Soccer’s community outreach program, the Synthetic Field Building program provides safe places for children to play in at-risk communities.
“CSM is extremely grateful to be the recipient of this generous grant from the U.S. Soccer Foundation,” said Ben Johnson, executive director at CSM. “We are excited about how these funds will equip us to run an even better urban soccer league and we look forward to finally give our players the quality equipment they deserve.”
“The U.S. Soccer Foundation is honored to support initiatives that give children in underserved urban communities access to soccer programs that encourage positive physical and social development,” said Ed Foster-Simeon, president & CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation.
“All children should have the opportunity to be involved with programs that promote active, healthy lifestyles and that provide an alternative to the many negative influences children face today.”
Support for the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Annual Grants program is provided by the Foundation’s Corporate Partners’ Council, a cohort of soccer industry leaders including Eurosport, FieldTurf, Hunter Industries, Musco Sports Lighting, PEVO Sports and Sport Court.