Discover how the Angel City Impact Fund is transforming youth sports in Los Angeles

Angel City Football Club (ACFC), a prominent team in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), has announced the launch of the Angel City Impact Fund. This initiative marks a significant step in the club’s mission to leverage sports for community service and create an equitable world for all. The fund aims to provide no-cost and low-cost access to soccer, leadership training, and a robust coaching pipeline for over 14,000 youth annually across Los Angeles.

The Angel City Impact Fund’s inaugural initiative will expand ACFC’s community partnership with the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks. The goal is to serve more than 7,000 youth each year, offering them opportunities to engage in soccer and leadership training. This initiative is particularly focused on young girls and gender-expansive youth, addressing the challenges they face in the soccer ecosystem.

Community Impact and Sponsorship Model

Since its inception in 2020, Angel City FC has reallocated 10% of its sponsorship revenue to community initiatives and programs, investing over $3.5 million into the Los Angeles community. This innovative sponsorship model has impacted nearly 160,000 Angelenos and earned the team the Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year award at the ESPYs in 2024.

The establishment of the Angel City Impact Fund as the team’s nonprofit arm aims to expand this work by inviting the community to inform and invest in flagship initiatives. Catherine Dávila, ACFC’s Head of Community and Marketing, emphasized the importance of this collective giving model, stating that it will empower the ACFC community to drive systemic change in sports.

The fund’s initial budget is set at $1.3 million per year over three years, with the money coming from fundraising efforts rather than team sponsors. Early donors include notable figures such as Justin Morrow, a former MLS player and current head of sports partnerships and programs at the USC Race and Equity Center.

Addressing Critical Issues in Youth Sports

The Angel City Impact Fund aims to tackle several critical issues in youth sports, including the lack of representation among coaches, particularly those identifying as Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), female, and gender-expansive. The fund also seeks to address the prohibitive costs of participation, which can exceed $5,000 for elite soccer programs, a barrier that disproportionately affects families in under-resourced communities.

In collaboration with the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, the fund will launch expanded no-cost soccer programming for girls and gender-expansive youth, ages 5-17, across 100 sites. These programs will include seasonal activities, camps, and clinics starting in 2024. By 2025, the ACFC Coach Network will recruit, train, and hire 100 coaches representative of the communities they serve.

The partnership represents a milestone toward gender equity and builds on the City’s Girls Play LA Program (GPLA), which has been dedicated to breaking barriers for girls in sports for over 25 years. Jimmy Kim, General Manager of the Department of Recreation and Parks, highlighted the significance of this collaboration in promoting gender equity in sports.

Additional Initiatives and Collaborations

In addition to the Angel City Impact Fund, ACFC has launched several other initiatives to support youth and former players. The Player 22 Small Business Grant Program, in partnership with IFundWomen, provides funding and resources to current and retired soccer players establishing or expanding businesses. This program includes one-on-one coaching, access to business learning resources, and startup tools.

Furthermore, ACFC has collaborated with Klarna, an AI-powered global payments network, to enhance the fan experience for young female and nonbinary athletes. Klarna and ACFC have dedicated 30 seats at each home game to youth soccer organizations, ensuring that members have access to the ACFC game day experience. This initiative, launched during Women’s History Month, aims to inspire young athletes to pursue their dreams in sports.

BMO, a founding partner of ACFC, has also joined forces with the club to support the Girls Play Los Angeles program. BMO has secured naming rights to Angel City’s home stadium, now known as BMO Stadium, and has committed to reallocating 10% of its sponsorship value to community initiatives. This partnership will provide no-cost access to soccer for over 400 high school-aged girls and nonbinary youth across Los Angeles.

Our Advice on the City

For occasional travelers visiting Los Angeles, we recommend taking the time to explore the various community sports programs offered by organizations like Angel City FC. These programs not only provide a unique insight into the city’s commitment to youth development but also offer opportunities to engage with the local community.

For expert travelers, consider attending an ACFC home game at BMO Stadium. The experience is not only about watching a soccer match but also about witnessing the impact of community-driven initiatives in action. Additionally, exploring the diverse neighborhoods of Los Angeles and their local parks can provide a deeper understanding of the city’s efforts to promote inclusivity and equity in sports.

In conclusion, the launch of the Angel City Impact Fund is a significant step toward creating a more equitable sports ecosystem in Los Angeles. By addressing critical issues such as representation, participation costs, and access to dedicated spaces, ACFC is making a lasting impact on the lives of young girls and gender-expansive youth. Whether you’re a local or a visitor, engaging with these initiatives can provide a meaningful and enriching experience.