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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BALTIMORE (March 20, 2024) Today, MacKenzie Scott’s Yield Giving announced Soccer Without Borders as one of the Yield Giving Open Call’s awardees working with people and in places experiencing the greatest need in the United States.
Soccer Without Borders (SWB), a leader in the sport for development sector, received $1 million dollars. The organization was born of a vision to support all young people to reach their inherent potential and believes in the power of soccer, the world's universal language, to create positive change for individuals, families, communities, and the world. Soccer Without Borders’ programs are designed for young people to develop agency, a sense of belonging, and the skills to contribute, building social capital and strengthening positive identity development.
In March 2023, Yield Giving launched an Open Call for community-led, community-focused organizations whose explicit purpose is to enable individuals and families to achieve substantive improvement in their well-being through foundational resources.
“We’re incredibly excited and honored to be awarded such a significant gift from Yield Giving, a true force in the philanthropic space,“ said Erin Cook, Soccer Without Borders’ board president. “This recognition speaks to the hard work and dedication that our entire team brings to providing underserved youth with a toolkit to overcome obstacles to growth, inclusion, and personal success. This recognition and gift will help us reach even more people to engage them in the power of soccer for positive change.”
Jennifer Tepper, SWB executive director, adds, “We’re thrilled to be one of six sports based youth development organizations recognized and we would like to extend congratulations to DC Scores, Downtown Boxing Gym Youth Program, New Heights NYC, South Bronx United, and the Sportsmen’s Tennis and Enrichment Center for their impact and hard work in social justice work. I hope that this begins a shift in how philanthropy values sports based youth development and transformation organizations as genuine vehicles that drive systemic social change.”
The Yield Giving Open Call awardees were selected based on a number of factors, including a focus on equity, proven track record, community leadership and team capacity. The Open Call received 6,353 applications and initially planned for 250 awards of $1 million each. In the Fall of 2023, organizations top-rated by their peers advanced to a second round of review by an external Evaluation Panel recruited for experience relevant to this cause, and underwent a final round of due diligence. In light of the incredible work of these organizations, as judged by their peers and external panelists, the donor team decided to expand the awardee pool and the award amount.
"We are excited that our partnership with Yield Giving has resonated with so many organizations," said Cecilia Conrad, CEO of Lever for Change. "In a world teeming with potential and talent, the Open Call has given us an opportunity to identify, uplift, and empower transformative organizations that often remain unseen.”
More information on the Yield Giving Open Call and other initiatives can be found at www.leverforchange.org.
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About Soccer Without Borders
Soccer Without Borders uses soccer as a vehicle for positive change in the United States and abroad. Soccer Without Borders combines soccer play and instruction with education and community-building activities in a year-round program model that authentically shifts outcomes. Soccer Without Borders’ impact has been recognized by the global FIFA Diversity Award, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Sports Award, and the Wharton School of Business’ Lipman Family Prize. Learn more at www.soccerwithoutborders.org.
About Yield Giving
Yield Giving Established by MacKenzie Scott to share a financial fortune created through the effort of countless people, Yield Giving is named after a belief in adding value by giving up control. To date, Yield’s network of staff and advisors has yielded over $16,500,000,000 to 1,900+ non-profit teams to use as they see fit for the benefit of others. To learn more, visit www.yieldgiving.com.
About Lever for Change
Lever for Change connects donors with bold solutions to the world’s biggest problems—including issues like racial inequity, gender inequality, lack of access to economic opportunity, and climate change. Using an inclusive, equitable model and due diligence process, Lever for Change creates customized challenges and other tailored funding opportunities. Top-ranked teams and challenge finalists become members of the Bold Solutions Network—a growing global network that helps secure additional funding, amplify YIELD GIVING OPEN CALL AWARDEE TOOLKIT members’ impact, and accelerate social change. Founded in 2019 as a nonprofit affiliate of the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Lever for Change has influenced over $1.7 billion in grants to date and provided support to more than 145 organizations. To learn more, visit www.leverforchange.org.
Media Contacts
Dustin Alarid, Director of Communications
Soccer Without Borders
Julie Atherton
JAM Collective
julie@jamcollective.net | (415) 839-7546