Innovate to Grow (ITG) Grants

Innovate to Grow (ITG) Grants is sponsored by U.S. Soccer Foundation. The U. S.

Soccer Innovate to Grow (ITG) Grant program empowers member organizations to initiate innovative projects that drive the growth and development of soccer in their communities.

Soccer Forward | Innovate to Grow | U.S. Soccer Official Website The Innovate to Grow (ITG) Fund is our fund to invest in new ideas and best practices.

Growing the game and ensuring soccer is everywhere, for everyone requires bold ideas and forward-thinking actions, and Innovate to Grow provides critical financial support to member organizations that are ready to take innovative steps to: 1 Grow the number of referees and invest in mentorship and development 2 Grow participation meaningfully and sustainably 3 Support safe places to play Want to stay up to date on the latest updates, resources, and community news from Soccer Forward?

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Since its inception in 2017, the Innovate to Grow Fund has awarded over $16M in grants. In the 2023-24 cycle alone, we donated more than $3M to programs across the country who are changing their communities through soccer and collectively supporting 800,000 participants. Success stories and best practices Examples of best practices from current and former Innovate to Grow recipients.

Visit the Soccer Forward Resource Hub to explore more case studies and practical tools to help you strengthen programs, grow participation and improve impact. Recruiting and retaining a diverse team of referees North Texas Soccer’s (NTSSA) Referee Initiative was developed to increase recruitment and retention of referees, particularly young referees and female referees.

The case study provides insights into the program model and shares learnings that other organizations can take away. Supporting access to soccer for girls of color This program from Delaware YSA focuses on creating opportunities for girls of color from low-income communities to experience the game of soccer in a safe, supportive environment.

The case study provides insights into the program model and shares learnings that other organizations can take away. New Mexico APS Middle School League provides recreational opportunities for new soccer players while also creating pathways for teachers and community members to become coaches. The case study provides insights into the program model and shares learnings that other organizations can take away.

Let's Play! After-school soccer for the whole child Maryland’s Let’s Play! program worked to transform the lives of participants by providing a safe, character building, community supported program that helps to teach social and emotional skills while fighting obesity and related illnesses.

The case study provides insights into the program model and shares learnings that other organizations can take away. Community Clinics As a Tool to Grow the Game AYSO’s ITG program expanded grassroots programming across Georgia to reach more players and coaches through innovative community models. The case study provides insights into how the program worked, and shares learnings that other organizations can take away.

Making School Soccer More Accessible for Girls 901 Girls With Goals is dedicated to making middle and high school girls’ soccer in Memphis more accessible.

The program is supported by Innovate to Grow (ITG) funding to increase education resources for youth coaches and referees, remove financial barriers of entry for participants in marginalized communities, increase participation opportunities for girls and women, and provide resources for an array of Disabled Service Organizations to make soccer more accessible to all.

Applications for the 2026–27 Innovate to Grow grant cycle are now open and will close on September 8, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET . U.S. Soccer Member Organizations in good standing are eligible to apply. Organizations that are not U.S. Soccer Members must partner with an eligible Member Organization, who will submit the application on their behalf.

View the 2026–27 Innovate to Grow Program Overview, including eligibility, program requirements, application details and evaluation criteria.