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SWB Annual Report 2025
Table of Contents
Our Mission
Our mission is to use soccer as a vehicle for positive change, providing underserved youth with a toolkit to overcome obstacles to growth, inclusion, and personal success. We envision a more inclusive and equitable world through soccer, where all youth reach their inherent potential.
Letter from the Executive Director
Who We Serve
Soccer is often called the world’s game for its ability to bring people together across differences. At SWB, the young people we serve arrive with their own stories, strengths, and lived experiences. Our programs are designed to be places of belonging, where youth feel supported not only as players, but as whole people. By centering safety, care, and connection, we create high-quality youth spaces where participants can build confidence, develop agency, and thrive on and off the field.
Fiscal Year 2025 By the Numbers:
8,233
Total SWB Participants
6.1% Increase from FY24
265
Youth Provided with Formal Leadership Roles
17.8% increase from FY24
45%
SWB Program Participants Identifying as Girls
3% decrease from FY24
77
Countries of Origin Represented at SWB
5.5% increase from FY24
76
Languages Spoken by SWB Participants
58.3% increase from FY24
6,087
Total Activities Held Across SWB
8.6% increase from FY24
Countries Represented by SWB Participants
Soccer’s power to unite is unmatched, bringing together people from all walks of life. The SWB community reflects this beautifully, connecting participants worldwide through the universal language of play.
Top Languages Spoken at SWB:
-
English
-
Spanish
-
Swahili
-
Luganda
-
Dari
-
Arabic
-
French
-
Kinyarwanda
-
Tigrinya
-
Lusamia
Country Represented by SWB Participants
People & Culture
On and off the field, our staff and volunteers bring SWB’s values to life through the way they show up for youth and one another. Guided by a shared commitment to belonging, our team works with care, authenticity, and accountability. We invest in people who reflect the communities we serve and who are equipped to create safe, supportive environments where young people can learn, grow, and feel supported.
Fiscal Year 2025 By the Numbers:
84
Full & Part-Time SWB Staff Members
162
Volunteers Serving SWB Programming, Fundraising, Boards, & More
45%
Coaches Identifying as Refugees, Immigrants, Ugandan or Nicaraguan
20
Countries of Origin Represented by Staff
20
Languages Spoken by SWB Staff
53%
Full-Time Staff Identifying as Women
5.12
Full-Time Staff Tenure in Years
30%
SWB Coaches Who
Are Program Alumni
What We Do
Through year-round programming, SWB delivers high-quality, youth-centered services designed to support the whole person. We focus on creating consistent, welcoming spaces where young people can access play, connection, and support. By removing common barriers to participation, including cost, transportation, and equipment, we ensure access to safe, fun, and meaningful opportunities on the field and beyond.
TEAM Programs
TEAM is a "Spanglish" acronym that stands for "trabajando en equipo aprendemos más" or "working as a team we learn more." Our TEAM programs are our most comprehensive programs. Combining soccer, education, and community-building more than 36 weeks/year, each is uniquely tailored to meet the unique needs of the specific community and fill in gaps where there aren't other service providers. Whether school-based or community-based, TEAM program activities include soccer practices and games, tutoring, homework support, English language instruction, team-building trips, leadership groups, mentoring, and social-emotional learning to support each participant to reach their goals on and off the field.
Camps & Clinics
Our soccer camps and clinics are a condensed version of a typical SWB season or practice session, but often with extra surprises! Each camp has a specific purpose. Whether it be outreach to new communities, introducing soccer for the first time, supporting different age groups beyond our TEAM programs, or something else, all are designed to support the whole person. Our range of activities usually starts with soccer, but can also include art, dance, music, cultural celebrations, yoga, and more. Additionally, summer and school holidays can be an isolating and challenging time, especially for newcomer youth who may experience language loss when away from school. Our summer camps and clinics combine soccer with English language instruction and academic support to keep youth engaged in learning and connected to a community of teammates throughout their time off.
Leagues & Tournaments
Our leagues and tournaments are not about lifting trophies. Rather, they are designed to strengthen community cohesion, teach social-emotional skills, and raise awareness and knowledge about specific social issues. Creating our own leagues emerged as a priority as many of our participants and teams either couldn't access existing leagues due to transportation barriers and regulations for foreign-born players or, in the case of our girls' teams in Nicaragua and Uganda, because no leagues for girls existed.
83
TEAM Programs
3630 Total Participants
38
Camps
& Clinics
3619 Total Participants
30
Leagues
& Tournaments
4823 Total Participants
Program Outcomes
SWB’s programs are designed with intention and shaped by years of experience working alongside youth and communities. Grounded in an evidence-based Theory of Change, our approach centers young people and focuses on creating consistent, supportive environments where they can build skills, confidence, and connection.
Across our programs, soccer is paired with educational support and community-building experiences that prioritize whole-person youth development. These trauma-informed practices guide how we show up each day and how we measure what matters.
The outcomes below reflect FY25 youth survey data and highlight how participants experience SWB across three core areas: Belonging, Contribution, and Agency.
Belonging
Safety and belonging are essential basic needs. This means that in order to optimize education outcomes and personal goals, we must first make sure that youth feel safe, welcomed, and experience belonging. The data presented provides evidence of positive development, as demonstrated by responses to socio-emotional learning (SEL) themed surveys.
Connected to relationships skills, social awareness and self awareness domains of social-emotional learning skills. Leads to gender, racial and ethnic equity.
FY25 Youth Survey Results
92.5%
reported making new friends at SWB
91.0%
reported making friends from other cultures
89.8%
reported trusting coaches and instructors
*Total percentage of positive responses..
Contribution
Team sports present endless opportunities to practice leadership skills.
At SWB, we create opportunities for participants to develop their leadership through captainships, refereeing, coaching, public speaking, mentoring, service projects, and more.
Connected to self awareness domain of social-emotional learning skills. Leads to gender, racial and ethnic equity.
FY25 Youth Survey Results
92.0%
reported helping others (e.g., supporting new teammates, assisting coaches)
90.5%
reported respecting people with different beliefs and backgrounds
*Total percentage of positive responses.
Agency
Agency – the sense of control that one feels in their life – is an essential outcome of our Theory of Change. To address this, as part of our holistic, evidence-based approach, we provide participants with academic and language support, college preparation, leadership development, and life-skills workshops.
Connected to self management, self awareness and social awareness domains of social-emotional learning skills. Leads to equity and community cohesion.
FY25 Youth Survey Results
91.0%
reported being open to trying new things
89.5%
reported managing emotions positively during challenging situations
89.0%
reported believing that completing secondary or postsecondary edu will help achieve future goals
*Total percentage of positive responses.
Stories of Impact
2025 uplifted, inspired, and reminded us of soccer’s transformative power. These stories highlight the voices of our participants, the strength of our coaches, and the collective spirit that fuels Soccer Without Borders. Together, they illustrate the impact of creating spaces where everyone can thrive.
From breaking down barriers to building lifelong connections, these stories reflect the incredible resilience of our youth and the power of community. They serve as a testament to what is possible when opportunity, mentorship, and joy come together to create change.
Guiding Our Work Through a New Strategic Plan
The launch of our new Strategic Plan marked an important moment in how we advance our mission through soccer, education, and community. Informed by lived experience and years of learning, the plan outlines four priorities that guide our work: delivering high-quality youth services, expanding access to free, fun, competitive play, strengthening inclusive coach education, and aligning youth outcomes with systems change. Together, these priorities establish a clear framework for how we turn our values into action.
More than a roadmap, the Strategic Plan shapes how we show up each day, guiding decisions across programs and partnerships to ensure youth experiences remain intentional, consistent, and rooted in long-term impact.
Five Years of Advancing Gender Equity Through Equal Play Effect Africa
Over five years, we co-led Equal Play Effect Africa alongside Common Goal, Women Win, and a broad network of regional partners working to advance gender equity through football. Together, partners across the continent strengthened coaching pathways, organizational leadership, and local systems that support girls and women to participate and lead within their communities.
In 2025, this collective work was documented through the Equal Play Effect Africa Five-Year Impact Report. The report captures how shared frameworks, peer learning, and long-term collaboration have contributed to measurable, systemic progress, offering evidence that a coordinated, locally driven approach to equity in sport is working.
Building Lasting Capacity Through adidas Breaking Barriers
After six years of collaboration, we look back on the impact created through the adidas Breaking Barriers program, delivered in partnership with Common Goal and Women Win. Together, the program worked with 15 organizations across Europe, reaching more than 100,000 girls and supporting over 150 coaches committed to advancing equity through sport.
Partners developed open-access academy courses, research, professional development grants, and practical tools to strengthen inclusive and resilient programming, with learning that continues to inform how organizations support girls’ leadership and opportunity through sport.
SWB Bay Area Honored with United Nations Global Citizen Award
In 2025, our Bay Area team was recognized as one of five recipients of the Global Citizen Award from the United Nations Association’s East Bay Chapter. The award honors organizations whose work reflects a commitment to human rights, social progress, and global connection.
This recognition highlights the impact of the Bay Area team’s daily work alongside newcomer youth. By creating welcoming teams and safe, consistent spaces to learn and play, the program supports young people as they build confidence, leadership, and a sense of belonging on and off the field.
Soccer, Music, and Community Uplifts SWB Colorado Girls
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An SWB Colorado girls’ team was recognized through a collaboration that brought together soccer, music, and community. The initiative highlighted the players’ leadership, resilience, and shared love of the game, reflecting the inclusive and global nature of soccer.
In partnership with Colorado-based folk-rock band The Lumineers and Common Goal, a limited-edition jersey helped elevate the girls’ experiences while generating direct support for youth programming in Colorado. The collaboration demonstrated how creative partnerships can strengthen belonging and expand opportunities for girls to lead on and off the field. Learn more about the collaboration and the youth it uplifted.
Growing Access to Year-Round Programming in Baltimore
SWB Maryland expanded its middle school programming in Baltimore with increased support from Family League, whose investment grew from $30,000 to more than $150,000 in 2025. That growth allowed the team to strengthen existing middle school programming while also expanding summer opportunities through the K–8 International Summer Academy.
With more consistent access across the school year and summer months, young people had additional opportunities to stay connected, build relationships, and grow within a supportive team environment. The expansion reflects a shared commitment to ensuring more youth in Baltimore can find belonging and opportunity through SWB.
Emerging Leaders Shine at the National Youth Summit
This summer, emerging young leaders from SWB came together across regions to learn, connect, and lead. Three participants from SWB Massachusetts traveled to Erie, Pennsylvania to take part in the inaugural Youth Leaders Summit, joining more than 100 peers from across the country for workshops, relationship-building, and project-based learning.
For the attendees, the experience created space to share perspectives and explore solutions to challenges they face in their own communities. Juliana, one of the participants, shared that keeping an open mind helped her connect with others and engage deeply in conversations about shared issues, turning learning into action alongside peers from different backgrounds.
U.S. Program Highlights
SWB Bay Area
Through in-school, after-school, weekend, and summer programs, Soccer Without Borders Bay Area (formerly known as SWB Oakland) is a crucial resource to newcomer refugee and immigrant youth across Alameda and San Francisco Counties. As leaders in social inclusion and getting girls in the game, and as active participants in the Bay Area sports-based youth development community, SWB Bay Area also hosts free, intentional leagues where under resourced youth from other organizations can play. SWB Bay Area also leads trainings for coaches to build more equitable program spaces for youth.
Growing Youth Leadership in the Bay Area
In 2025, SWB Bay Area saw record numbers of youth step into leadership roles this year, reflecting the hub’s strong pipeline from participant to alumni, volunteer, and staff. Young leaders contributed across the program as referees, coaches, camp counselors, and media contributors, helping support leagues, camps, and storytelling efforts.
Several referees earned official licenses, and 23 youth served as summer camp counselors leading activities for their peers. Alumni continue shaping the future of the program as well, with two alumni teams competing in the GG5 league, a boys UPSL program, and five alumni serving on staff as coaches and program leaders.
New Indoor League Expands Access for High School Youth
Last year, SWB Bay Area launched Copa Unidas, an indoor high school league designed to create more flexible opportunities to play. The league runs for both boys and girls and was created with youth input, recognizing that some players cannot participate in traditional weekend leagues due to work, family responsibilities, or other barriers.
Held weekly on Tuesday evenings, the league brings together teams for regular matches followed by semifinals and finals at the end of the season. For girls in particular, Copa Unidas offers another opportunity to stay connected to the game, helping expand access to soccer for players who may have had fewer opportunities to play in the past.
Sierra Experience Deepens Leadership and Connection
SWB Bay Area partnered with All Gateway Mountain Center to bring high school participants to Lake Tahoe for the Sierra Experience, a nature immersion program focused on outdoor exploration, environmental education, and personal growth. About 30 boys and 30 girls took part in separate trips, offering youth who show consistent participation and leadership a chance to deepen their connection to the program.
Participants explored mountaineering activities and environmental education, along with moments like sledding and sharing stories around the campfire. For many, it was their first time seeing snow, strengthening connections across teams and building a deeper sense of community within SWB.
Impact Stats Fiscal Year 2025:
109,999
Total Contact Hours at SWB Bay Area
94%
SWB Bay Area
Graduation Rate
2010
Activities Held at
SWB Bay Area
SWB Colorado
Through in-school, after-school, weekend, and summer programs, Soccer Without Borders Colorado supports newcomer and immigrant youth to overcome barriers to participation in sport, to gain a sense of belonging, and to build social capital. SWB delivers year-round programs and intentionally-designed tournaments across the Denver Metro Area and Weld County, as well as summer programs to support specific newcomer populations. SWB actively participates in the Colorado sports-based youth development community, partnering to ensure that every youth has a safe environment to play, learn, and grow.
SWB Colorado Girls Take the Stage at Women’s Foundation Luncheon
SWB Colorado youth stepped into leadership at The Women’s Foundation of Colorado’s annual luncheon, where SWB was recognized as a grantee spotlight. Participants engaged attendees by inviting them to share their wishes for the future of women’s sports and reflected on their own journeys through the program.
They also took the stage to introduce keynote speaker Abby Wambach in front of more than 1,800 attendees, gaining a meaningful opportunity to share their voices publicly and represent their community.
Building Leadership Pathways for Colorado Youth
Manil, an SWB Colorado alumnus and current coach-mentor, shared his journey in the blog When One Door Closes, Another Opens reflecting on how a supportive team environment restored his love for the game and opened new pathways for leadership. After nearly walking away from soccer, SWB became the place where he found belonging and, later, the confidence to guide others.
His story reflects a broader commitment to youth leadership across Colorado. This year, 61 participants served as Youth Leaders, contributing more than 203 hours to programming and helping shape sessions, mentor younger players, and strengthen the culture of connection that defines SWB.
Expanding Girls’ Programming Across Denver Metro
SWB Colorado continued to grow its girls’ programming with the launch of the Denver Metro GG5 Middle School League in Spring 2025, aligning with a shift from co-ed to gender-split middle school programming. The expansion created more intentional spaces for girls to build skills and strengthen community through the game.
In partnership with Aurora Public Schools, SWB Colorado hosted its first-ever summer camp in East Aurora, reaching 80 participants, including 42 Afghan girls. For the first time in the organization’s 15-year history, a summer camp served more girls than boys, and the camp has since become an entry point for Afghan youth to join school-year programming.
Impact Stats Fiscal Year 2025:
33,626
Total Contact Hours at SWB Colorado
100%
SWB Colorado
Graduation Rate
693
Activities Held at
SWB Colorado
SWB Maryland
Based in Baltimore City, Soccer Without Borders Maryland directly serves newcomer refugee and immigrant youth in Baltimore City and County through out-of-school-time programs during the school year and summer. Participants include large numbers of Eritrean, Congolese, and Syrian youth, as well as Salvadoran, Ecuadorian and Guatemalan students. Some students have been in the country for weeks, others for years, and together they make up a dynamic community of youth, each with their own unique story. With a focus on English language development on and off the field, SWB Maryland supports newcomer youth grades K-12 to build a sense of agency, belonging, and contribution.
Launching the GG5 League in Maryland
SWB Maryland launched its GG5 Middle School Girls League after listening closely to youth feedback about the need for dedicated spaces where girls could grow and compete together. Since its creation, participation has grown significantly, with the league now fielding eight full teams and increasing from 30 girls in the previous co-ed format to 62 players in the spring season.
The league has also created leadership opportunities within the program, with high school participants serving as referees and mentors during games. The shift has helped build a positive, empowering environment for middle school girls while strengthening the pipeline into SWB’s high school programming across the Maryland community.
Strengthening the Alumni Coach Pipeline
SWB Maryland continued to build its alumni leadership pipeline with the addition of Coach Semira to the coaching team. Semira first joined SWB in 2012 through the K–8 summer program alongside her siblings, later participating in middle school programming and continuing through high school graduation in 2023.
In 2025, she returned as a contracted coach during the ISA summer program and now serves as a coach within SWB’s middle school programming. Her journey from participant to coach reflects SWB’s long-term investment in youth and the power of creating pathways for alumni to lead the next generation.
Expanding High School Opportunities for Boys in Maryland
In 2025, SWB Maryland launched its first in-house High School Boys League in response to limited league opportunities for high school boys in Baltimore. The new league created consistent access to competition and community, ensuring that older participants could continue building confidence, leadership, and a deeper sense of belonging through the game.
The team also visited Gettysburg College for a day of play and learning alongside collegiate athletes, including a Q&A conversation about balancing school, sport, and future goals.
Impact Stats Fiscal Year 2025:
41,174
Total Contact Hours at SWB Maryland
93%
SWB Maryland
Graduation Rate
643
Activities Held at
SWB Maryland
SWB Massachusetts
Through in-school, after-school, weekend, and summer programs, Soccer Without Borders Massachusetts supports newcomer and immigrant youth to overcome barriers to participation in sport, to gain a sense of belonging, and to build social capital. SWB delivers year-round TEAM programs and intentionally-designed leagues across Eastern Massachusetts, as well as summer programs in cities such as Springfield to support specific newcomer populations. SWB actively participates in the Massachusetts sports-based youth development community, partnering to ensure that every youth has a safe environment to play, learn, and grow.
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Girls Club Builds Confidence, Strengthens SEL in Chelsea
SWB Massachusetts launched Girls Club in Chelsea, creating a dedicated space for girls to strengthen social-emotional skills such as self-management, social awareness, and responsible decision making. The program offers time to reflect, connect, and build confidence together.
During one session, participant Luz led an activity focused on self-confidence and self-love. Girls wrote down their stressors, symbolically let them go, and filled decorated envelopes with affirmations from their teammates. The project reflects SWB’s commitment to helping girls grow as leaders both on and off the field.
Women’s Sports Summit Inspires the Next Generation
During the Summer, SWB Massachusetts hosted a Women’s Sports Summit designed to inspire and empower young girl athletes. The event brought together leaders in sport, including Boston University Women’s Soccer Head Coach Megan Burke, UMass Amherst player Nia Hislop, SWB Co-Founder Mary Connor, and Jammy Torres, Manager of Fan Experience for Boston Legacy FC, Boston’s new NWSL team.
Panelists shared their journeys through the game, from falling in love with soccer to navigating challenges on and off the field. The goal was simple: to show young girls that they belong in this space, and that their dreams are worth chasing.
Competing with Character in Middlesex Youth Soccer League
SWB Massachusetts teams once again participated in the Middlesex Youth Soccer League (MYSL), where weekly matchups give participants the chance to apply both their technical skills and social-emotional learning in real time. Game days are competitive and high-energy, creating space to practice teamwork, sportsmanship, and managing emotions under pressure.
Five teams advanced to the playoffs, with the Chelsea middle school girls earning first place in their division and the U16 boys finishing as runners-up in the Massachusetts Tournament of Champions. After every match, win or lose, teams close in a circle, celebrating the positives with shoutouts to one another and leaving as a family no matter what happens on the field.
Impact Stats Fiscal Year 2025:
35,763
Total Contact Hours at SWB Massachusetts
100%
SWB Massachusetts
Graduation Rate
679
Activities Held at
SWB Massachusetts
International Program Highlights
Fútbol Sin Fronteras
Fútbol Sin Fronteras Nicaragua (FSF) uses soccer as a way to build leadership, improve educational outcomes, and strengthen social-emotional skills for girls, ages 5-20. At FSF, sport, education, and leadership development go hand-in-hand. There are many factors that cause a girl in Nicaragua to drop out of school, including domestic responsibilities in the home, a financial need to work in the market/informal economy, unplanned pregnancy, and a lack of visible pathways and encouragement for women to enter the workforce and pursue a career. FSF addresses these barriers through holistic, long-term programming and a future-focused culture that invites girls to "dream big" and imagine their future.
Copa de la Paz Brings Community Together
Fútbol Sin Fronteras hosted its annual Copa de la Paz, welcoming more than 400 participants, families, and community members to celebrate girls’ soccer in Granada. Rooted in the spirit of the International Day of Peace, the tournament created a visible platform for girls to showcase their growth, teamwork, and leadership.
Families filled the sidelines in support, reinforcing the strong connection between players and their broader community. More than a competition, Copa de la Paz served as a reminder of how sport can promote respect, inclusion, and collective pride across Granada.
U15 Girls Represent Granada in League Play
FSF’s U15 girls stepped onto a larger stage as they prepared to represent Granada in the Apertura youth championship. With support from the local municipality and community partners, the team received new uniforms, marking an important moment of recognition and visibility for the players.
Wearing their city’s colors was about more than competition. It reflected the girls’ commitment, teamwork, and pride in representing their community, reinforcing the role of sport as a space where young people build confidence and show what they are capable of achieving together.
Dream Champions Promote Equity and Leadership
Through the Champion of Dreams initiative, FSF participants engaged in challenge-based activities exploring nutrition, dedication, gender equity, and menstrual health. In partnership with Grupo Bimbo and Fundación Selección Colombia, the program combined learning and play to help girls reflect on habits, confidence, and fairness both on and off the field.
Teams advanced by demonstrating collaboration, focus, and shared responsibility, reinforcing values that extend beyond competition. The initiative continues to equip girls with tools to think critically, lead with confidence, and advocate for themselves and others in their communities.
Impact Stats Fiscal Year 2025:
11,784
Total Contact Hours at
Fútbol Sin Fronteras
523
Total Program Participants at
Fútbol Sin Fronteras
283
Activities Held at
Fútbol Sin Fronteras
FSF Programming Note
While much of what makes FSF special remains unchanged, recent developments in the global regulatory environment required us to thoughtfully adjust how support for the program is structured. These changes affected some of the behind-the-scenes administrative processes, but they did not alter the core of what FSF is or the impact it creates.
FSF continues as a locally led initiative in Granada, supported by donors and champions around the world. The same experienced coaches, the same commitment to holistic support, and the same belief in the power of sport continue to guide the work forward. Thanks to your partnership, FSF is able to serve girls across Nicaragua with care, consistency, and a legacy of transformation that carries on.
SWB Uganda
Through daily programs for out-of-school youth participants, community activities during school holidays, and youth-led soccer leagues, Soccer Without Borders Uganda is a crucial resource to urban refugee youth in Kampala. As leaders in social inclusion and getting girls in the game, and as active participants in the East Africa Common Goal Community, SWB Uganda also works to build the capacity of partner organizations and coaches to build more equitable program spaces for youth.
Advancing Girls’ Leadership Through the Uganda Girls League
The Uganda Girls League (UGL) continued to grow across five regions, bringing together dozens of teams in safe, inclusive spaces where girls can play, lead, and build community. The league remains a cornerstone of SWB Uganda’s commitment to expanding access and opportunity for girls through sport.
This year, women coaches from all five UGL hubs gathered in Kampala for a weeklong No Means No Worldwide training focused on violence prevention and self-defense. Coaches are now certified to deliver the curriculum within their communities, equipping girls with tools to recognize risk, set boundaries, and advocate for their safety. The training strengthens the league’s impact beyond the field, reinforcing that empowerment and protection go hand in hand.
Coaching Boys Into Men Promotes Respect and Equity
Boys in SWB Uganda began their journey through the Coaching Boys Into Men program, a 12-week initiative developed by Futures Without Violence that blends sport with guided conversations on gender equality, youth rights, respect, community norms, and mental health. Led by male coaches, the program uses structured on-field discussions to challenge harmful norms and redefine strength as accountability and care for others.
Participants started with baseline reflections and surveys, marking the first step in a process designed to support growth and positive change. Through consistent dialogue and mentorship, the initiative reinforces SWB’s commitment to building safer, more equitable communities on and off the field.
Recognizing 24 Graduates of the Global Girls Project
In partnership with St. Paul Primary School, SWB Uganda recognized 24 girls who completed the three-month Global Girls Project, a leadership program designed to help participants examine and respond to challenges within their communities. Through community mapping and facilitated discussions led by women staff, the girls identified child marriage as a critical issue affecting young people around them.
At the certificate ceremony, participants shared their commitment to raising awareness and speaking out against the practice, with parents and community members present in support. The program reflects SWB Uganda’s investment in equipping girls with the confidence and leadership skills to advocate for change beyond the classroom and the field.
Impact Stats Fiscal Year 2025:
128,785
Total Contact Hours at SWB Uganda
3164
Total Program Participants at
SWB Uganda
1779
Activities Held at
SWB Uganda
Scaling Our Impact
Sport has the power to bring people together, but only when it is designed with intention. When grounded in care, inclusion, and lived experience, soccer can create belonging, strengthen agency, and support the social, emotional, and developmental growth of young people.
Over time, these practices extend beyond individual programs. At scale, they influence how sport is delivered, who has access, and how success is defined, helping counter isolation, exclusion, and inequity across communities.
Drawing on nearly two decades of on-the-ground experience with newcomer youth and marginalized girls, SWB shares its proven frameworks, tools, and methodologies with coaches, educators, and organizations around the world. Through training and knowledge-sharing, we work alongside partners to strengthen inclusive practices, elevate quality, and expand the impact of sport as a force for positive change.
89
Peer Organizations That Have Received Training by SWB
30
Countries Where SWB-Led Trainings Were Held
43,850
Youth Impacted by SWB-Trained Coaches & Leaders (Estimate)
667
Coaches Who Have Received Training by SWB
Training Spotlights
SWB in the Community
Community has always been at the heart of our work. Throughout the year, supporters came together through local fundraisers and creative initiatives to help support experiences that matter for the youth we serve. Each effort reflects the power of community to show up for young people in meaningful ways. Together, they strengthen the mission and help maintain spaces where young people can grow and belong.
New NWSL Partnership Strengthens Youth Opportunity in Colorado
SWB Colorado strengthened its local partnerships through collaboration with Denver Summit FC, Colorado’s new NWSL expansion team. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to investing in girls’ sports, community connection, and pathways for young people to see themselves represented in the professional game.
As the first gift through Denver Summit FC’s new 303 Community Fund, SWB Colorado received a $10,000 contribution supported by Denver Summit FC and CommonSpirit Health. The support highlights how local investment in women’s sports can extend beyond the professional level to strengthen youth programs and expand opportunity across the community.
SWB Bay Area Girls Design Custom Kits with Bay FC
SWB Bay Area partnered with Bay FC of the NWSL and youth organization Design FC to create a unique opportunity for middle school girls in the Bay Area to see their voices reflected in the game. Together, the partners worked alongside players to design custom kits that celebrated the girls’ identities and creativity, unveiling them during a special moment at a Bay FC home match.
The collaboration highlighted how intentional partnerships can elevate youth voice and expand access to meaningful experiences in sport. By connecting professional players, young designers, and communities on and off the field, the initiative reinforced SWB’s commitment to belonging, representation, and creating pathways for girls to lead confidently through soccer.
Growing Community Support Through Small Goals Big Change
Small Goals Big Change (SGBC) tournaments continued to bring communities together through soccer and shared purpose. Across Massachusetts, Maryland, the Bay Area, and Colorado, SGBC gave local communities a chance to rally around SWB and support youth through our shared love for the beautiful game.
In 2025, the series reached a new milestone with the first-ever Small Goals Big Change tournament in Brooklyn, marking SWB’s first SGBC event outside one of our program locations. Together, tournaments across all locations raised a combined $94,000 to help sustain free, year-round programming that supports belonging, well-being, and opportunity for young people on and off the field.
Team SWB Takes on the NYC Marathon
Team SWB took on the 2025 TCS New York City Marathon, bringing together runners from across the country to represent Soccer Without Borders on one of the world’s biggest stages. United by a shared commitment to youth and belonging, the team showed what it looks like to move together toward something bigger than the finish line.
Beyond the miles, Team SWB collectively raised more than $60,000 to support free, year-round programming that creates consistent spaces for young people to connect, grow, and build confidence. The marathon served as a powerful reminder that when individuals come together around a shared purpose, community support can go the distance.
Communities Coming Together Through Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
Sometimes the most meaningful support starts with one person inviting others to care. This year, SWB launched new peer-to-peer fundraising tools that allow supporters to create their own campaigns and bring their communities into the work in personal, creative ways.
From birthdays and races to team challenges and community goals, these fundraisers make it easy for people to turn everyday moments into support for youth. By sharing why SWB matters to them, supporters help strengthen the network behind our programs and expand opportunities for young people to belong, grow, and thrive on and off the field.
Strengthening Engagement Through a Website Refresh
SWB launched a refreshed website designed to reflect the priorities of our Strategic Plan and the full scope of our work across programs, partnerships, and systems-level efforts. With clearer navigation and updated storytelling, the site brings greater focus to how we support young people through soccer, education, and community, while making our impact easier to understand and explore.
More than a visual update, the refresh strengthens how our global community connects with SWB’s mission and direction. By creating a more accessible and intentional digital space, the website supports shared learning, alignment across regions, and new pathways for supporters and partners to engage in advancing opportunity for young people on and off the field.
FY2025 Financials
As a Platinum Level participant on Candid: Guidestar, Soccer Without Borders upholds the highest level of transparency and integrity in our financial systems. In FY25, we continued our trend of reinvesting prior year surplus funds into expanded services and greater depth of programming on the ground, while maintaining a healthy reserve to ensure stability through uncertainty. In the last 8 years, SWB has invested nearly $25 million into free, holistic youth development programming for underserved youth.
Revenues
.png)
$2,040,271
$1,115,748
$634,134
$1,862,164
$307,924
$86,424
Total Revenues:
Foundation & Corp.:
Government:
Individual:
*Earned/Events:
In Kind:
Other Revenue:
$6,046,665
Assets
$1,405,043
$1,904,584
$404,138
Total Ending Net Assets:
Unrestricted:
Board Restricted:
Donor Restricted:
$3,713,765
Expenses
$4,837,728
$885,141
$414,377
Total Expenses:
Direct Program:
Administrative:
Fundraising:
$6,137,246
Liabilities
On November 4, 2021, Soccer Without Borders purchased 3700 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, Maryland, USA to serve as a Youth Hub for local SWB Maryland participants and as organizational headquarters. The long-term liability of $186,482 represents the mortgage principal at fiscal year-end.
Total Liabilities:
Current:
Long-Term:
Total Liabilites & Net Assets:
$465,900
$279,418
$186,482
$4,179,665
August 1, 2024 - July 31, 2025: These financials were independently audited by Han Group LLC.
*Note: Due to advice from our auditors this year, many state and local government contracts were reclassified as exchange revenue and are now reflected as Earned Income.
Our Boards
Our Board of Directors serves as the governing body of the organization and our advisory boards bring their individual and collective expertise to support our leadership teams.
Board of Directors
Christopher Grecco
Julio Chow-Gamboa
Andrew Coleman
Toaha Ahmad
Dino Bovell
Charlie F. Bustin
Erin S. Cook
Rick Eichmann
Warshan Hussin
Leila Milani
Adaobi Okafor
Martha E. Saavedra
Michael Sack
Karishma Sheth
Evan Whitfield
(President) Founder, Element Market Research
(Secretary) Founder and Principal Consultant, Llegamos Consulting
(Treasurer) Co-CEO and Co-Founder, LQ Digital
Technology Management Leader, Microsoft
Vice President, Business Affairs, NBC Universal
Partner, Douglas C. Lane & Associates
Founder, authentic
Managing Director, Secretariat
(SWB Alumnus) Operations Manager, LAZ Parking
Global Policy & Programs Director, Futures Without Violence
Director of Finance, Trees for the Future
Retired Professor of African Studies, University of California Berkeley
Senior Fellow, Jobs For The Future
Chief Program Officer, EveryMind
Principal Attorney, Chicago Mosaic Law, LLC
National Advisory Board
Calen Carr
Ann Cook
Naomi Girma
Greg Lalas
Simon Levett
Jeff McIntyre
Bill Price
Melissa Roth
Chris Sonntag
On-Air Host, Major League Soccer
Associate Head Coach, Penn State Women’s Soccer
Professional Soccer Player, Chelsea FC & USWNT
Chief Marketing Officer, United Soccer League
Retired Accountant, W-League Franchise Owner
Founder & President, Ruffneck Scarves
President & Founder, Driva Solutions
Vice President & General Counsel, Global Rescue
Head of Partnership Marketing, Chicago Fire FC
Regional Advisory Boards
Bay Area
Javier Ayala-Hill
Omsri Bharat
Bridget Brennan
Andrew Coleman
Neha Desai
Katy Nagy
Patricia Merino Price
Ashley Pritchard
Sosina Teweldebrhan
Mike Woitalla
Colorado
Yoni Dobie-Geffen
Zach Kilimann
Afshin Sarvestani
Sarah Stangl Keras
Shawn Stein
Lisa Taylor
Jasper Verlaan
Maryland
Sergio Flores
Trey Greiser
Eloise Grose
Runit Kumar
Lindsay Monti
Daniel Solomon
Matthew Warner
Massachusetts
Abdoulaye Balde
Allison Horwitz
Alanna Hughes
Natasha Hussain
Gabrielle Krause
Saf Momen
Daniel O’Connor
Shalini Patel
Amanda Tan
Mercedes Valdes
Taylor Willey
Candida Yanez
Our Partners
In the face of complex challenges, no person, program, or organization can drive change alone. Local, national, and global partnerships with aligned organizations makes our work more impactful and sustaining. We are grateful for all of our outstanding partners whose resources, expertise, and contributions enable us to better accomplish our mission every day.
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Regional Partners
Bay Area
Alameda County Behavioral Health Services, Albany-Berkeley Soccer Club, Bay Area Community Resources, Bay Area Wilderness Training, Bay FC, Castlemont High School, Center for Healthy Schools and Communities, City of Oakland, East Bay Asian Youth Center, First Congregational Church of Berkeley, Fremont High School, Frick United Academy of Language, Girls Inc., Golden Gate Women's Soccer League, Goodwin Family Memorial Trust, Greenway Golf/Corica Park, Hayward Promise Neighborhoods, Hayward Unified School District, Hellman Foundation, Hobbs Academy, International Rescue Committee, La Familia, Mill Valley Soccer Club, Oakland Fund for Children and Youth, Oakland High School, Oakland International High School, Oakland Kids First, Oakland Public Education Fund, Oakland Roots and Soul Foundation, Oakland Technical High School, Oakland Unified School District, Olympic Club Foundation, Refugee & Immigrant Transitions, Rudsdale Newcomer Continuation HS, Safe Passages, San Francisco International, San Francisco United School District, Tennyson High School, The Westly Foundation, ThriveWire, Thurgood Marshall High School, University of California San Francisco, Urban Promise Academy, Youth Empowerment Program (YEP)
Colorado
Adams 12 Five Star Schools, Angus Held Foundation, Aurora Public Schools, Colorado Health Foundation, Colorado Office of New Americans, Colorado Rapids, Colorado Refugee Services Program, Colorado Soccer Foundation, Credit Union of Colorado, Denver Summit FC, El Pomar Foundation, Greeley-Evans School District 6, Kaiser Permanente, Lutheran Family Services of the Rocky Mountains, Rose Community Foundation, The Colorado Trust, The Denver Foundation, The Weld Trust, United Way of Weld County, University of Denver, Weld Community Foundation, Women’s Foundation of Colorado, Women’s Fund of Weld County
Maryland
Abell Foundation, Alonso Family Charitable Fund, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Baltimore City Community College, Baltimore County Public Schools, Baltimore Gas and Electric Company, Baltimore Kickers, Baltimore Ravens, The Charles Crane Family Foundation, Enterprise Mobility Foundation, Family League of Baltimore City, France-Merrick Foundation, Goldseker Foundation, Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Henry and Ruth Blaustein Rosenberg Foundation, JMI Equity, Joseph and Harvey Meyerhoff Family Charitable Funds, L.A.C.E.S., Leveling the Playing Field, Lois and Philip Macht Family Philanthropic Fund, Maryland State Arts Council, New York Life Foundation, Ravens Foundation, Richman Foundation, T. Rowe Price Foundation, Under Armour, University of Maryland Foundation, Inc., Washington Spirit
Massachusetts
Anna B. Stearns Charitable Foundation, Boston After School & Beyond, Boston Athletic Association, Boston Scores, Boston Spurs Supporters’ Club, Chelsea Healthy, Chelsea Public Schools, CHESS Foundation, City of Boston, City of Chelsea, Clark University, The Donald McKay School, East Boston Family Engagement Network, Everett Public Schools, Everett Youth Works Coalition, Falmouth Road Race Charity Program, FIFA World Cup Boston 26, Framingham Public Schools, FundPlay Coalition, Itzkowich Family International Philanthropy, Jewish Family Services of Western Mass, Kids in Need of Legal Defense, Lingzi Foundation, Lynn Public Schools, Mario Umana School, MIRA Coalition, Merriam Family Foundation, Mexican Consulate in East Boston, NeighborHealth/Let’s Get Movin’, Nesworthy Charitable Trust, New American Association of Massachusetts, New Balance Foundation, New England Revolution, Procter & Gamble, Robert and Joan Dircks Family Foundation, Roy A. Hunt Foundation, Soccer Unity Project, Somerville Public Schools, Tickets 4 Kids, United Way of Massachusetts Bay,
Wellington Management Foundation
Nicaragua
BIMBO, Boreiko Family Foundation, Bristol Link UK, Federación Independiente de Granada, FENIFUT – Fútbol Federation of Nicaragua, Girls' Rights Project, Fundación selección Colombia, Global Rescue, Granada FC, Thomas H. Pope Memorial Fund, Together Women Rise, U.S. Department of State-Sports United, U.S. Embassy in Managua
Uganda
Common Goal, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Dorothea Haus Ross Foundation, East Africa Philanthropy Network, Federation of Uganda Football Association (FUFA), FIFA Foundation, Futures Without Violence, Global Girl Project, Kids Play International, MAD Sisters, Moving the Goalposts, Premier League Premier Skills, Raise Chess Academy, Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa, The Swedish Post Code Lottery Foundation, University of Denver
Our Supporters
Every donation (no matter how big or small) is more than a gift—it’s an investment in a more inclusive future. The MVPs on this list contributed $1000 or more in FY2025, helping us break down barriers and expand opportunities for newcomer youth. Their belief in our mission makes a lasting impact on and off the field.
5 Ryan Foundation
Alex Styduhar
Alice and John Sherman
American Online Giving Foundation, Inc.
Andrew and Tina Coleman
Ann Goethals
Anonymous
Anson Dorsey
Arnold & Porter
Ashley Fisher
Bank of America Charitable Foundation
Becky Poskin and Lucas Richardson
Benjamin Tulchin
Beyond Sport Foundation
Bibiana Valdes Hernandez
Carmelita Reyes
Chan Zuckerberg Employee Match
Charities Aid Foundation America
Charlie Bustin and Heather Heinz
Chris and Lenie Richardson
Chris Grecco
Christof Lindenmayer
Christopher Gervasi
Christopher Guarino
Church Skiles Charitable Foundation
Collin Burks
Connie Downing
David Greene
Davin White
Deborah Leland and John Hunter
Debra McCarron
Denis and Danielle Boyle Giving Fund
Detroit City FC
Dido Fund at the East Bay Community Foundation
Dino Bovell
Drew Batkin
East Bay Community Foundation
Edward Miguel
Edwin Carmona-Cruz
Elisabeth Morris
Elizabeth Zelljadt
Emory Chan
Enterprise Holdings Inc.
Eric Fenster
Ethan and Ryan Hawke
Fidelity Charitable
Francis McGrath
Frank Vega
General Catalyst
GGWSL
Girls Rights Project
Greater Cincinnati Foundation
Greater Kansas City Community Foundation
GWBD Charitable Foundation
Helen McKenna
Jacob Haar
Jaime Garcia
James Boehm
James M. & Karen C. Bustillo and the Bustillo Family
Charitable Fund, Inc.
James Suvak
Jason Almiro
Jeffrey Butler
Jennifer Tepper
Jennifer Wolfsberg
Jewish Community Federation
Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City
Joe & Lynn E. Poskin Charitable Foundation
John & Jennifer Isenberg Philanthropic Fund of the
Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Kansas City
John Bermatz & Joseph Marek
Jose Reina
Joseph Mocera
Julie and Brad Morgan
Julio Chow-Gamboa
Just Wish Foundation
Justine Oppenheim
Kelly Family Foundation
King Baudouin Foundation
Kitty Resor
Krause Group
Langford Fund
Laureus Sport for Good Foundation
Laureus USA
Leila R. Milani
Lenny Gucciardi
Linda Graham
Lindsay Monti
Lisa & Sean O'Rourke
Lois and Philip Macht Family Philanthropic Fund
Lois Schonberger
Madeline Foundation
Mara Decker
Marianne and Tim Davis
Marissa C. Wesely
Marsh & McLennan Companies
Martha Saavedra
Mary Connor
Mary Jane Evans
McKinsey & Co Corporate Matching
Michael Vogelsong
Milton and Mary Fujii
Mirnahill Foundation
Monica Martin de Bustamante
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Lurie
Nathan Cummings Foundation
Nicholas Graham
Nicolas Carballal
Nigus Solomon
Patricia Merino Price
Paul Llewellyn
Paul Roma
Raymond James
Reedy Simons Family Philanthropic Fund
Richard Eichmann
Robert Sass
Ron Yehoshua
Ruth and Caroline Keyes
Sarah Chehresa
Schwab Charitable Fund
Semana Gol & Paz
Solberg Manufacturing Charitable Fund at
Schwab Charitable
Stanley Antolak
Stefan K. Viragh
Steven & Marta Ketchel
Sue Meade
Sunny Bunch Family Foundation
Susan Golbe
Susan Varian
T. Rowe Price Charitable Giving
Talmadge Family Charitable Fund
Tammy Reder
The Alonso Family Charitable Fund
The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore
The Bettinger Family
The Colorado Trust
The Columbus Foundation
The J.M. Kaplan Fund
The James B. Mintzer Foundation
The Nyce Family Foundation
The Signatry
The Sports Lawyers Association
Toaha Ahmad
Tom Pope Memorial Fund
U.S. Charitable Gift Trust
Vanguard Charitable
William B. and Anngenette G. Tyler
SWB In the Media
Mailing Address:
3700 Eastern Avenue
Baltimore, Maryland 21224
USA 501(c)(3) non-profit, EIN 20-3786129
©2026 Soccer Without Borders. All rights reserved.
Soccer Without Borders is in no way affiliated with Doctors Without Borders. Doctors Without Borders is a registered trademark of Bureau International de Médicins Sans Frontieres
