#GivingTuesday: Five Things to Know About U.S. Soccer Donors

Many fans don’t know that U.S. Soccer is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that receives no federal funding. Generous donors help support our mission to make soccer the preeminent sport in America. As U.S. Soccer celebrates #GivingTuesday, here are five things you should know about donors and their impact on the beautiful game.

CHANGING LIVES. DEVELOPING A SPORT. INSPIRING A NATION.

Through their contributions to the U.S. Soccer Development Fund, donors are making an impact on the game they love by investing in programs and people who will inspire us all. The Development Fund launched in 2016 and is focused on developing:

  • World-class players by increasing opportunities through the Scholarship Program

  • More and better coaches to benefit players of all ages and abilities across the country

  • National Teams that consistently succeed on the international stage through enhanced identification infrastructure and innovative high-performance programs

OPPORTUNITIES WITHOUT BARRIERS

Since the Development Fund was launched in 2016, donors to U.S. Soccer have supported more than 3,720 talented young boys and girls in the Development Academy to compete at the highest level of youth soccer. These scholarships are need-based, enabling kids to pursue their dreams with access to life-changing soccer opportunities. The average scholarship is $1,500 and helps offset travel costs of elite training and competition during the 10-month Academy season. The typical scholarship recipient lives within 5% of the Federal Poverty Level. You can help U.S. Soccer support more players by donating today.

ONCE-IN-A-LIFE-TIME EXPERIENCES

From exploring new cities together during high-access trips like the Patrons Program, to daily trainings sessions at national-team-like Fantasy Camps, donors are living their dreams by getting closer to the game than ever before. They’re making meaningful, lasting connections with other supporters around the country. Patrons and Fantasy Camp participants have also donated more than $2.75mil to U.S. Soccer to help build the future. Together, they’re building soccer networks and communities that bridge industries, geographies and ages, uniting us as “One Nation. One Team.”

U.S. SOCCER “FIRSTS”

Donors are helping U.S. Soccer tackle challenges and initiate programs like never before. This past year, a small group of U.S. Soccer donors supported the first-ever cost-free C-License course offered exclusively to NWSL players. 21 players representing all nine NWSL teams – including WNT living legend Heather O’Reilly – participated in the course, the first step in the professional coaching pathway. As Heather put it: “As a coach, you influence young people and then those young people live successful lives. So actually, your donation is going in a far way and a far reach that maybe you can’t see but it can be felt, trickled down throughout the soccer community.”

YOU CAN DONATE… (AND GET GREAT BENEFITS)

Every gift matters. It’s easy to donate. Simply go to www.ussoccer.com/donate and help support the future on #GivingTuesday. (And while #GivingTuesday is often just about a generous contribution, there is no reason you shouldn’t enjoy great perks in thanks for your support. Consider joining an elite Circle supporting the Development Fund to experience exclusive benefits from U.S. Soccer – including first access to purchase tickets, behind-the-scenes opportunities, VIP invitations and more.)

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