WASHINGTON, DC (Aug. 2, 2017) – The U.S. Soccer Foundation today announced a major partnership with Target Corp. (NYSE: TGT) to build 100 new soccer play spaces by 2020. As a partner, Target has committed $6 million to support the Foundation’s efforts to transform underserved communities across the country by turning underutilized spaces into safe and accessible soccer pitches.

“We are thrilled to partner with Target to make soccer more accessible to hundreds of thousands of children across the country, ensuring our nation’s youth have safe play spaces right in their neighborhoods,” said Ed Foster-Simeon, President & CEO of the U.S. Soccer Foundation. “By working with Target, we will transform underutilized spaces into hubs for physical activity, making wellness attainable to all.”

Together with Target, the Foundation will ensure that youth in underserved areas have access to safe playing spaces and evidence-based health and wellness programming. To do this, the Foundation will work with each community to ensure that each pitch offers programming free to participants and can serve as a community hub for years to come.

The first three pitches through this partnership will be built in Chicago.

This partnership is a critical step in the Foundation’s national effort to increase the number of safe play spaces in underserved areas across the country.

The U.S. Soccer Foundation’s programs address the health and youth development barriers faced by youth living in underserved communities and contribute to the healthy development of youth, families and communities across the country.

Learn more about the Foundation’s Safe Places to Play program.



Check out some of the Foundation’s recent mini-pitch projects.

Learn more about the partnership.



About the U.S. Soccer Foundation

The U.S. Soccer Foundation’s programs are the national model for sports-based youth development in underserved communities. Since its founding in 1994, the Foundation has established programs proven to help children embrace an active and healthy lifestyle while nurturing their personal growth beyond sports. Its cost-effective, high-impact initiatives offer safe environments where kids and communities thrive. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the U.S. Soccer Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) organization. Follow us on Twitter at @ussoccerfndn and Facebook at facebook.com/ussoccerfoundation

Media Contact

Jennifer Arnold

U.S. Soccer Foundation

202.872.6662

jarnold@ussoccerfoundation.org