Kids in underserved areas of Georgia are about to get a big assist in the beautiful game. Atlanta United is dropping serious cash—$815,000 to be exact—to fund the creation of 11 new mini-soccer pitches across the state, part of the club's GA 100 campaign to foster love for soccer and promote play in communities that need it most. The Atlanta United Community Fund (AUCF), powered by the deep pockets of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, is behind the hefty donation.
The latest bundle of green doesn't just include money for balls and nets. It's part of a larger commitment to build a whopping 100 pitches in neighborhoods that might otherwise never see fresh soccer turf, as reported by FOX 5 Atlanta. With the latest seven organizations stepping up to the pitch—with 30 already created since 2020, it's clear that Atlanta United isn't playing around when it comes to expanding the sport's reach.
These mini-pitches aren't just popping up anywhere. We're talking about a hard court in a repurposed Lawrenceville warehouse, four fields at Toomer Elementary in Atlanta, a lush grass field at the Corners Community Center in Norcross, and more. It's a strategic play to ensure that kids have a safe and accessible place to kick around the ball.
In collaboration with the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), the AUCF's pushes for more than just goals on the field, it's aiming for goals in community development, teamwork, and physical fitness. And here's the kicker—matching grants are available up to $100,000 per mini-pitch, so local organizations can get in on the action too. Interested teams have until August 10 to apply for future funding, as mentioned in an article by Atlanta Soccer News.
If you're gunning to learn more about the GA 100 campaign or want to apply for one of these grants, visit their website. It’s a safe bet Atlanta United is just getting started, and with funds like these, Georgia's soccer scene is set to score big for years to come.
