What Grassroot Soccer does

Grassroot Soccer is a US-based nonprofit organization (501(c)(3), founded 2002) that delivers adolescent health programs using soccer as the engagement platform. The organization has reached 25 million+ adolescents across 60+ countries (with active programs in 23), working primarily in Sub-Saharan Africa and, more recently, the United States. Its target population is adolescents aged 10-24, with particular focus on adolescent girls (over 55% of participants), youth living with HIV, and U.S. adolescents facing mental health challenges.

The core technology is the proprietary SKILLZ methodology — activity-based curricula that use soccer games and metaphors to teach life-saving health information on mental health (MindSKILLZ), sexual and reproductive health (SKILLZ Girl and SKILLZ Guyz), HIV care and treatment (SKILLZ Plus), and foundational health topics (SKILLZ Core). Programs are delivered by a network of 23,000+ locally trained Coaches aged 20-24 who serve as mentors and role models. The evidence base includes 60+ research studies and 7 randomized controlled trials, with the SKILLZ Girl RCT demonstrating 1.6x higher HIV testing rates and 1.3x higher contraception use among participants. Distribution occurs directly through Coaches in communities, schools, and health facilities, and through 85 partner organizations including UNICEF, Peace Corps, governments, and local NGOs.

Grassroot Soccer operates as a donation-funded nonprofit with no fees charged to participants. Revenue sources include institutional grants (Gates, Ford, Oak, Stavros Niarchos, USAID, CDC, NIH, PEPFAR), corporate philanthropy (Nike, ExxonMobil, FIFA Foundation, Iconiq Impact), individual giving, planned gifts, donor-advised funds, employer matching, and fundraising events (galas, Changemaker Cup tournaments, marathon charity partnerships). The current Play It Forward campaign targets $35 million over 5 years to scale impact. The organization is governed by a Global Board of Directors and operates through wholly-owned affiliates in the UK, Zambia, and South Africa.

Name

Grassroot Soccer

Legal name

Grassroot Soccer, Inc.

Website

https://grassrootsoccer.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Grassroot Soccer is a US-based nonprofit that uses soccer-based SKILLZ curricula and a network of 23,000+ trained Coaches to deliver adolescent mental health, HIV, and reproductive health programs to 25 million+ youth across 60+ countries, funded primarily through foundation grants, corporate philanthropy, and individual donations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adolescent Health Education

NAICS

Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), All Other Schools and Instruction (61169)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Youth Development & Sports Outreach Programs (EDAIAGAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Coach Education, Certification & Clinics (HSADAEAO)

Keywords

• Adolescent health programs
• Soccer-based health curriculum
• HIV prevention education
• Mental health education
• Youth health mentorship

Headquarters

HQ city

Hanover

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Institutional Donations and Grants: Grassroot Soccer receives sustained support from institutional donors and partners including foundations (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Ford Foundation, Oak Foundation, Stavros Niarchos Foundation), corporations (Nike, ExxonMobil), and government agencies (USAID, CDC, NIH, PEPFAR).
2. Individual Donations: Individual supporters can make one-time or recurring donations through the website, checks, wire transfers, or ACH transfers. Tax identification number: 43-1957920.
3. Planned Giving and Legacy Gifts: Bequests, beneficiary designations on retirement accounts, IRA charitable rollovers, and qualified charitable distributions.
4. Matching Gifts: Employer matching gift programs where donations can be doubled or more through corporate matching programs.
5. Donor Advised Funds: Gifts from Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) accepted with tax identification number 43-1957920.
6. Corporate and Foundation Partnerships: Foundation and Corporate Partners support the organization through philanthropic contributions, aligning their organizations with critical adolescent health work.
7. Special Events: Annual Gala events raising significant funds (2024 World AIDS Day Gala raised more than $2 million). Changemaker Cup tournaments. eBay auctions.
8. Marathon and Endurance Event Partnerships: Charity partnerships with major marathons (NYC Marathon, Chicago Marathon, Rome, Valencia, Copenhagen) where runners commit to fundraising goals.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Grassroot Soccer delivers the SKILLZ methodology, a portfolio of soccer-based health education curricula (MindSKILLZ, SKILLZ Girl, SKILLZ Guyz, SKILLZ Plus, SKILLZ Core) that train young adult Coaches from local communities to teach adolescents aged 10-24 about mental health, HIV/AIDS, and sexual and reproductive health. Programs are delivered free to participants through community-based Coaches and partner organizations across more than 60 countries.

Product overview

Grassroot Soccer is an adolescent health organization that operates a portfolio of soccer-based health programs collectively called the SKILLZ methodology. The core offering includes MindSKILLZ (mental health), SKILLZ Girl and SKILLZ Guyz (sexual and reproductive health for single genders), and SKILLZ Plus (HIV care and treatment). SKILLZ Core serves as the foundational curriculum. Programs are delivered by trained young adult Coaches from local communities who serve as mentors. The organization also runs fundraising events (Annual Gala, Changemaker Cup, marathon programs, 3v3 tournaments, fundraising games) to support and expand its program delivery. The Play It Forward campaign ($35M over 5 years) drives organizational growth toward reaching tens of millions of adolescents annually.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MindSKILLZ Grassroot Soccer's signature mental health prevention and promotion program using soccer language, metaphors, and activities to teach young people practical mental health skills including stress management, resilience, emotional regulation, and help-seeking behaviors. Trains non-specialist Coaches to deliver the curriculum.
• SKILLZ Girl A single-sex program for adolescent girls ages 15-19 that uses soccer to create a gender-transformative space for learning about sexual and reproductive health topics, building self-confidence with peer and mentor support, and gaining access to youth-friendly health services including HIV testing, PrEP, contraception, and post-violence support.
• SKILLZ Guyz A complementary single-gender program that uses soccer to engage young men around positive gender norms and sexual health. With a male role model Coach, the program challenges toxic masculinity, promotes gender-equitable relationships, and equips participants with critical sexual health knowledge.
• SKILLZ Plus An interactive program for youth living with HIV that uses soccer and play-based learning to address HIV-positive adolescents' specific needs, including disclosure of status, healthy relationships, mental health support, and adherence to antiretroviral therapy. SKILLZ Plus Coaches are themselves living with HIV, serving as trusted role models.
• SKILLZ Core Grassroot Soccer's foundational program for younger adolescents covering HIV, sexual and reproductive health, gender norms, mental health, and life skills. Serves as the entry-level curriculum introducing participants to the soccer-based health education approach.

Quantifiable outcome

• 47% reduction in adolescents with clinical depression symptoms
• +10 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• UNICEFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor international organization partnering on adolescent health programs globally.
• Peace CorpscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolunteer organization partnering to deliver programs in communities.
• Partners In Health / Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (Malawi)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare organization in Malawi working with Grassroot Soccer on adolescent health programs.
• YEDI (Youth Development and Empowerment Initiative) - NigeriacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner in Nigeria delivering SKILLZ programs with Grassroot Soccer for over 15 years.
• Ministry of Health (Malawi)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment ministry working closely with Grassroot Soccer to bridge knowledge and service gaps in adolescent health using creative, culturally sensitive, adolescent-friendly methods.
• mothers2motherscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization working to eliminate pediatric AIDS and improve health outcomes for mothers, children, and families.
• Bantwana ZimbabwecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner implementing SKILLZ programs with Grassroot Soccer coaches in Zimbabwe.
• TelemundocoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting Miami programs with Grassroot Soccer.
• Puyallup Tribe of IndianscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Pierce County, Washington for youth mental health programming.
• Washington Youth SoccercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Washington state for youth engagement.
• Colorado Soccer FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Grassroot Soccer MindSKILLZ Cup in Denver.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro DenvercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIncorporating soccer-based mental health activities into their Mental Health Program.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Miami for youth mental health programming.
• love.fútbolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization in Miami for soccer-based youth engagement.
• U.S. SoccercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational soccer governing body partnering for U.S. mental health programming ahead of 2026 World Cup.
• Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner for SKILLZ Girl RCT evaluating program impact on adolescent girls in Lusaka.
• Zambia Ministry of HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner for SKILLZ Girl RCT and general program delivery.
• Zambia Ministry of General EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment partner for school-based SKILLZ Girl programs.
• University of California, San FranciscocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch partner for SKILLZ Girl RCT evaluating program effectiveness.
• World Health Organization (WHO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal health body partnering on MindSKILLZ delivery in Zimbabwe with Ministry of Health.
• Pamumvuri PVOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal partner in Zimbabwe delivering MindSKILLZ with WHO and Ministry of Health.
• Girl Child Rights (GCR) - MozambiquecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Mozambique supporting girls in Cabo Delgado province affected by conflict and disasters through SKILLZ program.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Right To Play: Toronto-based international NGO that uses sport and play to educate and empower children in disadvantaged communities. Directly comparable to Grassroot Soccer: both deliver structured sport-based programs targeting adolescent health, life skills, and development outcomes through trained local Coaches, and both operate across multiple African and Asian countries with global brand recognition.
• Kick4Life: Lesotho-based NGO combining soccer and health education to address HIV/AIDS, sexual and reproductive health, and adolescent well-being. One of the closest peers in model: soccer-as-delivery-platform for adolescent HIV and SRH programs in Southern Africa, with similar target demographic and government partnerships.
• Soccer Without Borders: US-headquartered nonprofit using soccer as a vehicle for refugee and immigrant youth integration, education, and health. Comparable for the soccer-plus-youth-development delivery model, US operational footprint, and reliance on trained local Mentor/Coach leaders, although GRS's primary impact focus is on health outcomes rather than integration.
• Coaches Across Continents: US-based NGO using soccer curriculum to drive social impact in health, education, and gender equity across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. Closely comparable methodologically: develops sport-based curricula, trains local community Coaches, partners with governments and NGOs, and addresses adolescent health/social issues.
• Common Goal: International soccer-for-impact initiative founded with streetfootballworld that recruits professional players and managers to pledge 1% of their salaries to sport-for-development NGOs. Comparable in mobilizing soccer-brand equity for adolescent-impact funding, with overlapping ambassador profile and FUNdraising model to Grassroot Soccer.
• Sentebale: UK- and Southern Africa-based charity co-founded by Prince Harry supporting HIV-positive and vulnerable young people in Lesotho, Botswana, and Malawi. Directly comparable on geographic footprint, HIV-affected adolescent focus, Prince Harry ambassador linkage, and trusted-adult/peer delivery model.

Broad incumbents

• streetfootballworld: Berlin-headquartered global network of more than 80 sport-for-development organizations. Comparable as both a member-network peer and an aggregator of the soccer-for-social-impact space in which Grassroot Soccer operates; useful as an industry-shaping incumbent rather than a direct field-delivery competitor.
• Beyond Sport: UK-based global organization supporting and convening sport-for-social-impact initiatives worldwide. Comparable as a broader-incumbent facilitator and funder in the same sector as Grassroot Soccer, with overlapping funder relationships though its primary role is convening and grant-making rather than direct adolescent health delivery.
• Laureus Sport for Good Foundation: Global philanthropic foundation funded through Laureus World Sports Awards that supports more than 200 sport-for-development programs worldwide. Comparable as a funder/integrator of soccer-for-development NGOs including Grassroot Soccer-adjacent organizations, with overlapping donor ecosystem and brand-ambassador model.

Others

• mothers2mothers: African-led health nonprofit employing HIV-positive women as Mentor Mothers to deliver health services and education to families affected by HIV. Comparable as a peer-delivery health nonprofit partner explicitly listed as a Grassroot Soccer ally; sister-mission orientation rather than a competitor and useful as a co-implementation peer.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/grassrootsoccer
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/grassrootsoccer
• Facebookfacebook.com/grassrootsoccer
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/grassroot-soccer
• Instagraminstagram.com/grassrootsoccer

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Grassroot Soccer