Our MISSION:
Empowerment.
Our mission is to support young people in disadvantaged communities to enjoy the social, physical and emotional benefits of playing soccer.
what we do:
work together.
Futbol Friends joins with trusted partners to provide soccer equipment and related support to needy communities here and abroad. Funding for FFI’s grants to communities comes primarily from individual sponsors (friends of FFI) and the proceeds from events such our annual six2six fundraiser.
To make the money go as far as possible, Futbol Friends generally buys the equipment locally, in the country where it is needed, rather than buying it here and paying to have it shipped. That said, Futbol Friends supports projects of all kinds.
21+
Years
of empowering youth.
Founded in October of 2002, Futbol Friends International has been helping children to play soccer for about 20 years so far. We hope to continue for over 100 more!
$57K+
raised
to help communities.
Thanks to hundreds of people involved, both on and off the pitch, we have been able to raise thousands of dollars for soccer fans across the globe to do the one thing they love most, play.
6K+
children
have been Impacted.
We have been working diligently since 2002 to impact as many players as possible, while still keeping our integrity that 100% of the proceeds we raise, go straight to the kids.
current projects
worldwide
To support one of these projects and make it your own, contact us at contact@futbolfriendsint.org, or make a donation.
Please feel free to recommend a community in need, or to make a donation. If you decide to raise funds on FFI’s behalf, we’ll send them where they are needed most. Either way: you win, and so do the children in the organizations below.
Chloe YOUNG Star Foundation 2023
Rural Ghana
FFI grants to Reverend Worlanyo Afewu and the Kloe Young Star Association have equipped three hundred players from economically deprived schools in rural Ghana. With funds we provided, Rev. Afewu purchased the balls, pumps, and uniforms needed by thirteen boys teams and two girls teams for participation in interscholastic soccer in the Volta Region. Most teams comprise students in the ten to thirteen (U-13) age group while two teams feature players in the twelve to fifteen (U-15) range.
The goal of KYSF is to equip a total of fifty teams in the region’s rural schools. Thirty-five schools are yet to be equipped. Wrote Rev. Afewu: “I hope to express my extreme gratitude to FFI for their contribution of soccer balls and equipment. The happiest to receive the donations were two communities of peasant farmers located in a far-off forest. For the first time, their children were able to participate in inter-school soccer with official uniforms. The children are very happy. Football is an encouragement to stay in school for some students and we hope some football loving students who have dropped out will return. Since youth football is a major source of entertainment in poor areas, entire communities have benefited from your gifts.”
American Friends of Kenya 2023
Central Kenya
Connecticut-based American Friends of Kenya [AFK] has used three grants from FFI, including a 2023 grant of eighteen hundred dollars, to develop soccer programs in three of the poorest regions of Kenya. In coastal Likoni; Ekalakala in central Kenya; and Kongoni in the west, more than five hundred young players ages eight to twenty-five have benefited directly from the purchase of needed equipment. Approximately forty percent of players are girls or young women: a percentage that continues to increase over time. AFK notes that the communities as a whole have benefited. Football provides an outlet for alienated youth and a focal point for the community to come together. In these communities where youth soccer is one of the few sources of entertainment; hundreds of friends, family members and community leaders turn out to watch games. In addition about one hundred and fifty adults are involved as managers, coaches, or assistants.
FFI’s partnership with AFK ensures that our grants have maximum benefit for young players in communities with the greatest needs.
Bridgeport United F.C. 2023
Bridgeport, connecticut
Starting in the spring of 2021, Futbol Friends began supporting the DIG USA Bridgeport Girls Soccer program. This comprehensive soccer experience now includes eighty inner-city players who, at no cost to them, practice two to three times per week under the guidance of professional coaches. The coaches, who also serve as mentors and role models, have seen progress on and off the field as the girls compete against more experienced, better funded teams on weekends in the Bridgeport area and nearby suburbs.
FFI’s grants have helped ensure that everything is provided at no cost to the girls; including balls, cleats, jerseys, backpacks and jackets.
Note: At the end of May, the program will lose American Rescue Plan Act funding which has supported the teams for the past three years. In order to continue, DIG created a GoFundMe page. The girls’ season will continue through much of June and DIG would like to keep training going through the summer if possible. If you’re able to donate, you can do so here.,
how to
get involved.
There are two main ways to get involved. Raise any amount you can, or pick a project and help a whole team. 100% of funds raised by kids and teens in the U.S. will go directly to soccer gear for kids worldwide.
DONATE TO A SPECIFIC PROJECT
Go to the Current Projects page, and pick one to make your own. Commit to raising the funds needed, and work with us to find creative ways to reach that goal. This will connect you to faraway players in a way you will never forget.
jOIN OUR MEMBERSHIP CLUB
Pledge to be a monthly donor and you can be part of our Membership Club. As a member, you will be the first to receive early registration for our events, photos from the teams we help, and have “first dibs” on our swag sales.
fundraising ideas
Do you have a fundraising idea or know an impact project we could support? Fill out the project application form below and we’ll be in touch soon.