D.C. United has announced that the club’s charitable arm has changed its name to the D.C. United Foundation, effective immediately. The name change is timed with the start of the club’s 20th season and coincides with a shift in community outreach efforts that will now focus on championing health and recreational programs and events that serve disadvantaged youth in the Greater Washington area. With an emphasis on empowering kids, improving lives and uniting communities, the D.C. United Foundation will continue to engage thousands of local area youth through initiatives and programs that help introduce them to the game of soccer and its many social, nutritional and health benefits.
“D.C. United has built a legacy of commitment to the community and service over the last two decades,” said Tom Hunt, D.C. United’s Chief Operating Officer. “The renaming of our foundation creates a natural link to the vision that inspired the name of the club itself. It will increase our visibility in the community and allow us to better leverage our strengths in soccer and as an organization.”
D.C. United will celebrate the foundation’s name change at the team’s home match on May 2, highlighting its programming and providing opportunities to donate directly. A portion of ticket proceeds from the game will benefit the D.C. United Foundation.
Founded in 2002, the D.C. United Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) organization committed to bringing the international power of soccer directly into D.C. area inner-city communities. The foundation’s signature program, United Soccer Club, now in its 8th year, kicked off its spring season on March 16. Through a partnership with the U.S. Soccer Foundation’s Soccer for Success program, United Soccer Club’s spring session will continue to operate at 14 different locations and serve more than 700 children.
In addition to the renaming of the D.C. United Foundation, D.C. United is also unveiling a new community vision that will focus initiatives that benefit surrounding communities, particularly the youth population, through health and fitness and youth soccer programs. By fighting childhood obesity and educating youth on the importance of eating healthy, D.C. United is committed to improving the quality of life for citizens in the Greater Washington region.
“Many communities struggle with the basic challenges of building and maintaining healthy eating and exercise habits," said Hunt. “D.C. United is committed to providing a positive atmosphere and marshalling resources through programs and initiatives that will help residents stay active while encouraging them to make healthy choices."
As part of the foundation’s name change and community outreach shift, D.C. United has launched an updated section of the teams Community page at dcunited.com. To learn more about D.C. United’s community efforts and find detailed, up-to-date information on all initiatives, programs and events, please visit the updated community tab located on the D.C. United website at: www.dcunited.com/community.
Follow the D.C. United Foundation on Twitter (@DCUFoundation) and Facebook (D.C. United Foundation).
