An annual report released today details how the FC Cincinnati Foundation gave back to the community, particularly in the West End, home of TQL Stadium. The report also highlights key events planned for this year.
FC Cincinnati has continued to fulfill and exceed commitments outlined in the Community Benefits Agreement. The agreement identifies community priorities that aim to enrich the quality of life in the West End, and FC Cincinnati is on track to meet or exceed these commitments. Highlights for the 2021 year include:
- Over $1,500,000 invested in the community
- Soccer programs reaching 3,591 children throughout the year, with 356 appearances
- The West End Pride had 170 participants during its spring and fall soccer season
- FCC’s Soccer Unites program led by Omar Cummings, retired MLS player and Club Ambassador, featured 2,511 kids over 152 appearances
- The Learning is Cool initiative reached 26,328 students across 68 schools, with 6,298 students receiving an invitation to and end of the season celebration
- 4 of the 10 mini pitches pledged by 2024 have been completed, with two unveiled in 2021 – and two more planned in 2022
- TQL Stadium’s opening weekend featured an open house for West End neighbors, and the West End Pride were the first to ever play on the pitch at TQL Stadium.
- FC Cincinnati hosted its first all-girls soccer clinic. Girls from the FC Cincinnati Foundation’s West End Pride soccer teams and Soccer Unites program were invited to Stargel Stadium, where they participated in soccer activities and TQL Stadium tours led by FCC staff
- Ladies Lace Up, a women’s-only soccer event, sold out in 2021, and raised over $75,000 to support the FC Cincinnati Foundation
- Exceeded the economic inclusion construction goals for TQL Stadium with 70% inclusion and over $180 million spent with MBE, WBE and SBE businesses
- Distributed the third annual installment of $100,000 in grant funding to support non-profit businesses in the West End
- Continued to build upon job training opportunities for West End residents with a culinary program introduced in partnership with Levy, the TQL Stadium concessionaire
- FCC also supported the West End neighborhood with other programs -- including a park clean-up at Laurel Playground, participated in the West End Christmas celebration, and an annual staff service project to support St. Vincent de Paul’s Christmas Together Program
- In partnership with Chatfield College, the FC Cincinnati Foundation established
a scholarship fund for West End residents, workers, and students, including employees at TQL Stadium. The FC Cincinnati Foundation Scholarship Fund provides $1,000 annually for full-time students and $500 annually for part-time students, for a total commitment of $10,000 annually
Some key FC Cincinnati Foundation events for this year include:
- Served by the Pros (April 27)
- FCC3 race (June 18)
- Learning Is Cool Academic Achievement Celebration (July 18)
- Ladies Lace Up (September 15)
“FC Cincinnati and FC Cincinnati Foundation are committed to improving the lives of children through soccer and doing our part to foster an inclusive community,” said Kate Solomon, Vice President of Community Relations for FC Cincinnati and Executive Director of FC Cincinnati Foundation. “We were thrilled to get back to in-person programming in 2021, averaging more than one community appearance per day by the spring, and continuing our work in the West End neighborhood and Cincinnati region.”
The full report can be found here.
About the FC Cincinnati Foundation
The FC Cincinnati Foundation aims to improve the lives of children in the Greater Cincinnati area through the game of soccer. The Foundation’s mission is accomplishment primarily through five key programs: School Club Ambassador, Mini Soccer Pitch Builds, West End Pride and Learning Is Cool. These programs help promote and encourage strong academic performance and serve as catalysts to reinforce character values and improved health. The Foundation also serves as FC Cincinnati’s philanthropic arm, making donations and investments to Cincinnati-area organizations that have similar goals and ambitions for the area’s youth.
