DOWNTOWN — Target announced a new $14 million grant program that will serve local youth soccer organizations in Chicago and across the country, aiming to support the love for the game.
The program is a four-year commitment through the Target grant program, which will use $8 million to support player registration fees, player and field equipment and professional development for volunteer coaches.
In partnership with the U.S. Soccer Foundation, the other $6 million will be used to fund 100 new soccer play spaces in underserved communities across the country, including three in Chicago.
"The sport is enjoyed and played from people in urban areas, suburban areas and rural communities. It's played across different cultures, it's played across different genders, and it really is a family sport," William White, vice president of marketing at Target said.
The program builds on partnerships with Major League Soccer, Minnesota United FC, U.S. Youth Soccer and U.S. Soccer Foundation that were made in the last year.
"We really feel like we're going to be able to touch the communities we do business with every day," White said.
Each Target store and distribution center will receive $1,000 for a local, nonprofit soccer organization in its area. Organizations can apply online at target.com/grants until noon Aug. 30. Grants will be awarded in November.
"This is certainly not an in-and-out for us," White said. "We've made a commitment to the sport because we know the sport is meaningful to our guests."
On Tuesday, Target announced a new grant program committed to local youth soccer across the country. [DNAinfo/Kayla Martinez]
