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 Fan Week, here are five things you should know about donors and their impact on the beautiful game.
BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION OF WORLD-CLASS PLAYERS, COACHES AND NATIONAL TEAMS
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 was 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.
You can read more about these important development areas and the impact of donors this past year in the 2017 Impact Report.
CHANGING LIVES THROUGH THE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
In 2017, with donors’ support, U.S. Soccer doubled the amount of need-based scholarships for talented young boys and girls in the Development Academy. These scholarships help erode the pay-to-play model at the highest level of youth soccer and allow kids to pursue their dreams with access to life-changing soccer opportunities. The average scholarship is $1,400 and helps offset travel costs of elite training and competition during the 10-month Academy season.
A SHARED EXPERIENCE
From exploring new cities together during high-access programs like the Patrons Program, to daily trainings sessions in a team-environment like Fantasy Camps, donors are getting closer to the game than ever before. They’re making meaningful, lasting connections with other supporters around the country.
Together, they’re building soccer networks and communities that bridge industries, geographies and ages, uniting us as “One Nation. One Team.”
INCREDIBLE GENEROSITY
Collectively, donors are making transformational gifts to U.S. Soccer. Elite Circle members supporting the U.S. Soccer Development Fund have contributed more than one million dollars, Patrons have given more than one-and-a-half million and Fantasy Camp participants have invested more than $500,000 in the future of the sport.
These sums don’t even include individual restricted gifts given for unique U.S. Soccer programs, hosted fundraisers, Development Council activities and more. We are inspired everyday by the open-hearted and thoughtful generosity of U.S. Soccer donors. Thank you for everything you do.
FANS SUPPORT A SPORT AND A NATION
In addition to supporting U.S. Soccer, this year fans donated more than $140,000 to hurricane relief efforts through the American Red Cross and $60,000 to charities through autographed jersey auction sales. They participated in food drives, equipment drives, and thank-you letter-writing campaigns for first responders across the United States. U.S. Soccer fans not only support growing our great sport, they help everyone throughout our great nation.