D.C. United Foundation to Use the Power of Soccer to Level the Playing Field for Communities in the DMV.
WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 16, 2022) – D.C. United have announced that the club have re-established its charitable foundation as the D.C. United Foundation. The D.C. United Foundation aims to provide youth in the DMV the tools necessary to soar on and off the pitch, while also seeking to level the playing field for communities by harnessing the power of sport.
“Sports have the unique ability to connect people, foster community, and impact lives in a way unlike anything else,” said Danita Johnson, President of Business Operations for D.C. United. “The re-investment in the D.C. United Foundation will help to further connect our club to the DMV community in a way that provides tangible service to our community members and leaves a lasting impact on the current and future generations of youth in the region.”
The D.C. United Foundation and the activities that fall within its oversight will be led by two guiding principles:
- Pursuit of Equality: The D.C. United Foundation aspires for more equitable social and economic outcomes for members of the DMV community by working to ensure equal opportunity can become a reality for all on and off the pitch.
- Economic and Social Impact: The D.C. United Foundation will use its influence to seek and achieve a better path forward for youth and communities in the DMV area by educating, advocating, and increasing access to resources, information, and opportunities for under-resourced groups.
Shanell Mosley will serve as the Executive Director of the D.C. United Foundation. A role she holds alongside her Director of Community Relations position for the club. She brings more than fourteen years of experience, including twelve years working for UNICEF USA, leading the organization’s sports partnership division. Mosley is supported by a Board of Directors, which is led by Chairman Andy Coleman, who is also a minority owner of D.C. United.
“We’ve been very intentional about how we re-established the Foundation, taking the time needed to listen to community members and groups. We’ve also spent time across our organization and within our first team coaching staff and players,” said Shanell Mosley, Executive Director of the D.C. United Foundation. “We believe that not only should it be our responsibility to make our community a better place, but we have the ability to create transformational change and positive impact for future generations to come.”
Prior to the official launch of the D.C. United Foundation, the organization has been active in the local community. In August this year, in partnership with Serve Your City Ward 6 Mutual Aid, the D.C. United Foundation hosted a Back to School Bash at Audi Field where 1,500 backpacks full of school supplies including 500 computers were gifted to more than 450 families. Additionally, the Foundation has held three successful community engagement events centered around sport. First an Open Training Session and Community Day which saw more than 10,000 fans attend to watch European soccer powerhouse FC Bayern Munich train before a friendly against D.C. United. Attendees were exposed to several of the club’s community partners including DC SCORES, Serve Your City Ward 6 Mutual Aid, Urban Alliance, Leveling the Playing Field, Friends of Anacostia Park, the USO, and the Special Olympics. Secondly, the Foundation hosted its inaugural D.C. United Foundation Golf Classic, an annual flagship event for the organization, at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Gainesville, VA. Lastly, the Foundation worked closely with the D.C. United First Team and D.C. United Club Shop to host an equipment sale with game worn gear and club merchandise with proceeds benefitting the Foundation’s work within the community.
“I have spent my entire life living and working within DC and I am fully committed to representing not only this club, but our community, with every ounce of energy I have to drive, build and create real change”, said Andrew Coleman D.C. United minority owner and Chairman for the D.C. United Foundation. “There are kids within our neighborhoods who deserve a fair shot, so I’m personally charged to get off the sidelines. It’s time to get to work and show how committed we are to unite for change.”
Notably, the D.C. United Foundation was first established in 2002 under the name “United for D.C.” and served the local community for more than thirteen years. DC SCORES, D.C. United’s Official Charitable Partner, played an integral role in the club’s reestablishment of the D.C. United Foundation this year.
For more information on the D.C. United Foundation and to learn how you can get involved please visit: www.dcunited.com/foundation.
About D.C. United
One of the founding clubs of Major League Soccer in 1996, D.C. United are among the most decorated teams in the United States with 13 domestic and international trophies.
D.C. United have called the District home for the past 27 seasons and play their home games at Audi Field in the Buzzard Point neighborhood of Southwest, Washington, D.C, which opened in 2018. In addition to D.C. United games, the 20,000-seat soccer-specific stadium hosts over 100 events year-round, including the District’s premier arts, culinary, and music festival, Unite the District Fest. Audi Field is also home to America’s number one sportsbook through a partnership with FanDuel Group.
The Black-and-Red have won the MLS Cup four times (1996, 1997, 1999 and 2004), the Supporters’ Shield four times (1997, 1999, 2006 and 2007) and the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup three times (1996, 2008 and 2013).
For more information and club updates, please visit www.dcunited.com and find us on social media @dcunited.
About the D.C. United Foundation
The D.C. United Foundation harnesses the power of soccer to reach communities in the D.C. area and give youth the tools necessary to soar on and off the pitch. The D.C. United Foundation is an extension of D.C. United, the Major League Soccer Club located in Washington, D.C., and we prioritize serving populations that lack equitable access to important resources, educating and empowering the next generation and using our platform to lift people up and support their visions. Our work is centered around programming and partners that encourage and provide opportunities for community members to thrive, unite and have essential support. For more information visit www.dcunited.com/foundation.
