These monies are bound for Member organizations Grassroots Projects, thought to affect over 37,000 soccer enthusiasts over the next trio of years. This effort is of course part and parcel of the USSF goal to make soccer the preeminent sport in the states, via these Innovate to Grow Fund grants to over 2 dozen that have shown their projects have a high level of promise in growing the game at their grassroots level. Not just a marked increase over last year, this is the 3rd year straight that the dollars have gone up over the previous. All told 53 applications were received totalling $6.7 million in requests.
These 27 projects given the green light in the 2020 cycle, had 17 of them awarded to first time fund beneficiaries. In contrast 2019 saw 17 get just shy of $1.2 million as the year before a bakers dozen had just under 3/4's of a million.
Here is how it broke down, 15 player inititavies received $1.6 million 8 coaching progams, 479K and ref groups $362K. Most of this years funds, 19 groups are going to youth programs, 5 for adults & 3 helping both.
USSF Prez. Carlos Cordiero informed "We couldn't be prouder to partner with them to help grow the game in their communities. It's important to highlight the diverse pool of winners."
Realizing the import part the members fill in expanding the reach of the game here the fund began in 2017, to assist member groups kick off different thinking items set to raise the quantiy of soccer people in their areas. To be looked at for the dollars, these programs must meet particular guidelines as part of an overall submission process:
-New and different from current efforts.
-Demonstrate capability to grow participation.
- Potential to scale in other markets.
-Align with US Soccer Player Development Initatives.
-Financially invested in the program.
Local Members and what was approved:
US Club Soccer: "Coach Education Initative for Current Players", start an accessible, comprehensive program to encourage and guide HS & college players into the coaching education platform.