FC Cincinnati Foundation

FC Cincinnati committed to investing in community through programs and initiatives

20221110 Austinburg Mini Pitch Opening 195 (2)

FC Cincinnati and the FC Cincinnati Foundation have released the 2022 Community Report, highlighting key programs and initiatives.

The report released today details how the FC Cincinnati Foundation gave back to the community in 2022, particularly in the West End, home of TQL Stadium. FC Cincinnati have continued to fulfill and exceed commitments outlined in the Community Benefits Agreement, which includes community priorities that aim to enrich the quality of life in the West End.

Highlights for the 2022 year include:
- Over $2 million invested in the community
- FCC’s Soccer Unites program led by Omar Cummings, retired MLS player and Director of Soccer in the Community and Club Ambassador, featured 4,460 kids over 188 appearances
- The West End Pride had 357 participants during its Fall and Spring seasons
- The Learning is Cool initiative reached 26,328 students across 68 schools, with 7,563 students receiving an invitation to an end of the season celebration
- Seven of the 10 mini pitches pledged by 2024 have been completed, with three unveiled in 2022 – and three more planned in 2023
- Served By The Pros, a night full of delicious food and drinks served by FCC players along with competitive Challenge the Pro stations, raised $90,000 to support the FC Cincinnati Foundation and its programs
- Ladies Lace Up, a women’s-only soccer event, sold out in 2022, and raised over $80,000 to support the FC Cincinnati Foundation and its programming
- The Third Annual FCC3 race, followed by a watch party at TQL Stadium for the Orange and Blue’s road match at Philadelphia Union, raised $161,099 and proceeds were shared between FCCF and Pig Works Charities
- Distributed the fourth 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 ‘Getting Spooky with Gary,’ a safe trick-or-treat event in the TQL Stadium parking lot, participating in the West End Christmas celebration, and an annual staff service project to support St. Vincent de Paul’s Christmas Together Program
- Five education sessions at TQL Stadium held in 2022 for FCC Futures, a multi-tiered mentorship and professional development program design to help identify a path for students to pursue a career in sport

Several key FC Cincinnati Foundation events for 2023 include:
- Ladies Lace Up (May 4)
- Learning is Cool Academic Achievement Celebration (June 27)
- Served by the Pros (September 7)
- FCC3 Race (TBA)

“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, Senior Vice President of Fan & Community Engagement and Executive Director, FCC Foundation. “In 2022 we averaged more than one community appearance per day. Our programs and initiatives continue our work to invest in the West End neighborhood and the Cincinnati region, and leave a legacy by creating something bigger than ourselves and being the embodiment of a rising Cincinnati.”

Show Your Support

To Show Your Support for the FC Cincinnati Foundation, Visit HERE.

For a list of Community Events, Visit HERE.

About FC Cincinnati Foundation
The FCCF was launched in December 2018 to support transformational change for Cincinnati-area children and impact positive differences in children in underserved communities. The FCCF offers programming to support character development and physical well-being through soccer, the importance of education, and an additional focus on community service. FC Cincinnati Foundation will reach over 30,000 children this year.

FC Cincinnati and the FCC Foundation is committed to leaving a legacy, creating something bigger than ourselves, and being the embodiment of a rising Cincinnati. Through our own programs and initiatives and the support of key partners, we will improve the lives of children through soccer and will continue to do our part to create an inclusive community. In addition to the programming we run, we have invested heavily in partner organizations, including $100,000 in grant funding to support community building initiatives within the West End each year.