It’s the time of year for giving once again, and you may be looking to make a difference but are unsure where to start. Well, if you’re passionate about youth sports, you may want to donate time or money youth sports charities. If so, you’ve come to the right place. 

Youth sports teach kids a variety of skills—like problem-solving, teamwork, and determination—not to mention the physical and mental health benefits they provide. Unfortunately, not every kid has the same opportunities to access these kinds of programs—especially those in underserved communities.

The FundPlay Foundation, founded by the team at LeagueApps, aims to strengthen the incredible organizations that are providing sports programs to kids that need them free of charge through software and cash grants.

Here are ten impactful, sports-based youth development organizations that are providing youth sports programs to kids at free and discounted rates and how you can support them this Giving Tuesday.

Youth Sports Charities 

IOWA Foundation

Impactful Opportunities with Athletes Foundation partners with athletes to amplify their platform and give back to communities through youth sports, education, and raising awareness for causes in the community.

DONATE TO IOWA FOUNDATION or

VOLUNTEER WITH IOWA FOUNDATION

St. Paul Area: Sanneh Foundation

The mission of TSF is to empower youth, improve lives, and unite communities through programs that strengthen physical health and social and emotional development. Their biggest program, in terms of the number of kids participating, is their youth sports programming. They offer free community sports camps with soccer, basketball, flag football, and golf to choose from. 

DONATE TO THE SANNEH FOUNDATION or

VOLUNTEER WITH THE SANNEH FOUNDATION

New York City Area: DREAM

DREAM charter schools offer community sports-based youth development programs to attempt to remove barriers to success in underserved communities. Currently, they provide programming to 2,000+ children—89% of whom are below the poverty line and 28% have identified special needs (the city’s average is 20%). Despite the disadvantages this community of students face, their Charter High School graduation rate is 100%. 

DONATE TO DREAM or

VOLUNTEER WITH DREAM

Here’s what the LeagueApps team had to say about their volunteer experience with DREAM this summer. 

New York City Area: New York Edge

New York Edge helps bridge the opportunity gap among students in underserved communities by providing programs designed to improve academic performance, health and wellness, self-confidence, and leadership skills for success in life. The four-year completion rate of their high school is 98%—compared to a 61% rate throughout NYC. Their sports and wellness initiatives are dedicated to improving both physical and nutritional literacy amongst the youth in their programs.

DONATE TO NEW YORK EDGE  or

VOLUNTEER WITH NEW YORK EDGE

New York City Area: Ice Hockey in Harlem

Ice Hockey in Harlem offers programming that allows students in the community to take advantage of the educational and academic opportunities provided by youth sports.

DONATE TO ICE HOCKEY IN HARLEM or

VOLUNTEER WITH ICE HOCKEY IN HARLEM

New York City Area: Kings County Tennis League

Through tennis and education, Kings County Tennis League aims to spark the potential of children living in and around Brooklyn Public Housing by removing the physical and financial barriers to tennis. In 2021, KCTL served 534 students—96% of whom are BIPOC. Click here to read more about KCTL’s impact.  

DONATE TO KINGS COUNTY TENNIS LEAGUE or

VOLUNTEER WITH KINGS COUNTY TENNIS LEAGUE

DMV Area: Volo Kids Foundation

Through play, the Volo Kids foundation builds communities of active, resilient, and confident kids through quality sports programs. 77% of families from low-income homes can’t afford to pay the high costs associated with playing sports. In response, Volo Kids offers these programs to kids at no cost to families.

DONATE TO VOLO KIDS FOUNDATION or

VOLUNTEER WITH VOLO KIDS FOUNDATION

Cleveland Area: America SCORES Cleveland

America SCORES impacts over 15,000 students in school districts with low-income, minority communities in Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Milwaukee, New York, Portland, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Washington DC, and Vancouver. America SCORES chose to focus on soccer as it is a popular sport that requires minimal equipment—making it accessible to children regardless of economic status—and teaches a variety of important values. 

DONATE TO AMERICA SCORES CLEVELAND or

VOLUNTEER WITH AMERICA SCORES CLEVELAND  

DMV Area: WINNERS Lacrosse

WINNERS Lacrosse is a nonprofit that offers a variety of lacrosse programs for underserved neighborhoods in the DC and Tampa areas. All WINNERS programs are free and equipment is provided. 

DONATE MONEY TO WINNERS LACROSSE or

DONATE EQUIPMENT TO WINNERS LACROSSE or

VOLUNTEER WITH WINNERS LACROSSE

Detroit Area: Detroit Soccer District

Detroit Soccer District aims to provide affordable, accessible, high-quality soccer to underserved youth in the Detroit area. Camps, clinics, and after-school programs are offered by high quality coaches in their year-round soccer club. They are committed to fostering diversity by offering a welcoming and supportive environment to players, families, staff, and coaches of all backgrounds.

DONATE TO DETROIT SOCCER DISTRICT