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Soccer Without Borders
Annual Report 2024 | Table of Contents
Our Mission
Our mission is to use soccer as a vehicle for positive change, providing underserved youth with a toolkit to overcome obstacles to growth, inclusion, and personal success. We envision a more inclusive and equitable world through soccer, where all youth reach their inherent potential.
Coming Soon!
Letter from the Executive Director
Dear SWB Community,
I started 2024 by participating in the SWB Youth Festival in Kampala, Uganda where we served over 440 youth in one week and celebrated with the slogan of Look, Learn and Shine Together. Unbeknownst to the SWB Uganda team, that slogan epitomizes the amazing year Soccer Without Borders (SWB) had in 2024!
Look - One of the hardest skills to automate in your soccer game play is looking up and scanning the pitch while maintaining control of the ball before making the pass. SWB truly actualized this skill -- we looked up, scanned the community and their needs, enhanced what was in our control, and connected the pass, bringing what we do best with youth who need us.
SWB observed:
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Youth in need of support, guidance and a place where they find security and belonging to counter the increased self-reported incidents of suicidal ideations, depression, bullying, anxiety and overarching stress in trying to fit in.
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The benefits of our soccer and educational programming clearly influencing positive physical, mental and behavioral health outcomes – evidencing daily that SWB’s programming does increase the social determinants of health for our youth and the youth and families know we help because the youth we served jumped from 4,500 in 2023 to almost 7,800 in 2024.
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Schools also see increased positive benefits of academic and student engagement with SWB participants – our youth care about their futures and their educational attainment proving our work is interdisciplinary, going beyond teaching kids to play a sport but helping kids succeed in positive health and education outcomes.
Learn - Maintaining a growth mindset is not just something we teach our youth but an openness to always improving our programs, processes, and policies so SWB is effective and efficient. We squeeze every penny out of each donor dollar to improve youth outcomes.
SWB realized that:
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We need to work smarter, not just harder. One way we do this is by optimizing technology in 2024. We utilize Upshot (data/Monitoring Evaluation & Learning tracking), Leapsome (goals and performance management), Thinkific (learning management system), JustWorks (HR and compliance), and are onboarding Hubspot for communications and fundraising integration.
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We are wise. Our team of over 105 full and part time staff members have so much to learn from and share with each other. We are evolving our operations and culture to one where our teams are not only working in their areas of expertise and their geographies, but evolving into communities of practice – flywheels, as Jim Collins would call them in Good to Great – whereby our learnings can be shared and exchanged for improved practice with our youth and coaches, consistently.
Shine - We have proven to be a validated practice worth replicating, shown through hard data, consistent and robust methodologies, the lived experiences of our youth and alumni, and investments in our mission impacts.
SWB lit up 2024 by:
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Conducting an average of 15 activities with youth every day.
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Having the National Institute of Health invest in a 5-year research study on SWB’s Meet Me On the Pitch (MMOTP) methodology to validate whether SWB can be an evidenced-based DNA-V intervention for youth who are recovering from trauma.
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Raising over $715,000 from individuals in 2024, and receiving a $1M unrestricted investment from MacKenzie Scott through Yield Giving to grow our practices and promising outcomes.
"[SWB participants] have a group of people they can trust, those they can talk to. Because it's not just a team, it's a family that's formed when you're in this type of program." - Heradio, SWB Bay Area Participant
Thank you, for supporting SWB in 2024 and with your continued support, we will continue to be a safe space for many in 2025 and beyond!
With gratitude and appreciation,
Jennifer Tepper
SWB Executive Director
Who We Serve
Soccer is known as the "world's game" because of its ability to transcend language and culture and unite the global community around a shared passion. At SWB, each of our participants come to us with their own unique experiences and backgrounds. Regardless of gender identity, sexual orientation, economic means, cultural background, or language spoken at home, our programs are designed to be a safe space where all participants feel welcomed and included.
Fiscal Year 2024 By the Numbers:
7757
Registered Program Participants
2743
TEAM Program Participants
5607
Total Activities Held At Hubs & SWB Assist
48%
SWB Program Participants Identifying as Girls
73
Different Countries of Origin Represented at SWB
48
Unique Languages Spoken Across SWB
Countries Represented by SWB Participants
Soccer’s power to unite is unmatched, bringing together people from all walks of life. The SWB community reflects this beautifully, connecting participants worldwide through the universal language of play.
Top Languages Spoken at SWB:
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Spanish
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English
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Swahili
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Tigrinya
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Arabic
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French
-
Mam
-
Dari
-
Portguese
-
Kinyarwanda
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"It’s a community that brings everyone together. It’s a community where they only bring up the good stuff. No one talks bad about each other. You make a lot of new friends and meet other people from different countries." -Basit, SWB Participant
People & Culture
Both on the field and off, our passionate team brings a culture of welcoming and inclusion to life. Operating through a lens of creating belonging, we strive to be authentic in all we do while ensuring that our staff and volunteers understand, represent, and reflect the communities we serve.
Fiscal Year 2024 By the Numbers:
109
Full & Part-Time SWB Staff Members
286
Volunteers Serving SWB Programming, Fundraising, Boards, & More
54%
Full-Time Staff Identifying as Women
34%
Coaches Identifying as Refugees, Immigrants, Ugandan or Nicaraguan
17
Countries of Origin Represented by Staff
47
Average Coach Tenure in Months
4.8
Full-Time Staff Tenure in Years
30%
Staff Members
Are Program Alumni
What We Do
Our program hubs deliver holistic, youth-development programming throughout the year, and are designed to 'get them to the field'. We work to eliminate obstacles that too often keep under-served youth from participating in the game they love: all of our programs are free of charge, transportation is provided, and all of the necessary equipment is supplied.
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TEAM Programs
TEAM Programs
TEAM is a "Spanglish" acronym that stands for "trabajando en equipo aprendemos más" or "working as a team we learn more." Our TEAM programs are our most comprehensive programs. Combining soccer, education, and community-building more than 36 weeks/year, each is uniquely tailored to meet the unique needs of the specific community and fill in gaps where there aren't other service providers. Whether school-based or community-based, TEAM program activities include soccer practices and games, tutoring, homework support, English language instruction, team-building trips, leadership groups, mentoring, and social-emotional learning to support each participant to reach their goals on and off the field.
37
Camps
& Clinics
Camps & Clinics
Our soccer camps and clinics are a condensed version of a typical SWB season or practice session, but often with extra surprises! Each camp has a specific purpose. Whether it be outreach to new communities, introducing soccer for the first time, supporting different age groups beyond our TEAM programs, or something else, all are designed to support the whole person. Our range of activities usually starts with soccer, but can also include art, dance, music, cultural celebrations, yoga, and more. Additionally, summer and school holidays can be an isolating and challenging time, especially for newcomer youth who may experience language loss when away from school. Our summer camps and clinics combine soccer with English language instruction and academic support to keep youth engaged in learning and connected to a community of teammates throughout their time off.
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Leagues
& Tournaments
Leagues & Tournaments
Our leagues and tournaments are not about lifting trophies. Rather, they are designed to strengthen community cohesion, teach social-emotional skills, and raise awareness and knowledge about specific social issues. Creating our own leagues emerged as a priority as many of our participants and teams either couldn't access existing leagues due to transportation barriers and regulations for foreign-born players or, in the case of our girls' teams in Nicaragua and Uganda, because no leagues for girls existed.
"The thing that stood out the most regarding the girls engagement is how genuinely excited, happy, and grateful they were to simply be participating. Before every session, as soon as they got there, the kids immediately ran up and hugged us and their coaches and at the end of every session again, gave hugs and thanked us for being there." Melisa, Volunteer at TEAM Camp in Nicaragua
Program Outcomes
Our evidence-based program design was born out of thousands of hours of programming, hundreds of conversations, and countless pages of research. We synthesized it all into a clear Theory of Change that puts young people at the center, surrounds them with supportive peers, coaches, and mentors, and draws a throughline from our inputs and activities to our vision of a more inclusive and equitable world, where all youth reach their inherent potential.
Our program model combines soccer practices and games with educational support and community-building activities focused on whole person youth development. Our programs are trauma-informed and designed to create a sense of belonging, build individual agency, and provide avenues for every youth to feel valued and contribute. Below, you will find program outcome statistics from FY24 that stand as examples of our Theory of Change in action.
Belonging
Safety and belonging are essential basic needs. This means that in order to optimize education outcomes and personal goals, we must first make sure that youth feel safe, welcomed, and experience belonging. The data presented provides evidence of positive development, as demonstrated by responses to socio-emotional learning (SEL) themed surveys.
Connected to relationships skills, social awareness and self awareness domains of social-emotional learning skills. Leads to gender, racial and ethnic equity.
FY24 Youth Survey Results
93%
"I feel safe at Soccer Without Borders."
91%
"I feel comfortable being myself."
93%
"I make friends with those from other cultures."
93%
"I feel like I am part of the SWB community"
*Total percentage of positive responses..
“The thing that motivated me to be part of SWB is that I felt totally safe and comfortable. It's just because it's a place where I can feel like I'm home, where I can open up if I got some issues and help me with homework.”
- Participant Response from the FY24 Youth Survey
Contribution
Team sports present endless opportunities to practice leadership skills.
At SWB, we create opportunities for participants to develop their leadership through captainships, refereeing, coaching, public speaking, mentoring, service projects, and more.
Connected to self awareness domain of social-emotional learning skills. Leads to gender, racial and ethnic equity.
+22%
"Practicing English at SWB helps me feel more confident using English in other places."
+45%
"I know how I can use my interests and skills to make my community better."
+29%
"I participate in activities that make my community better, such as volunteering or cleaning up litter."
*Relative increase of positive responses from baseline to endline surveys.
Agency
Agency – the sense of control that one feels in their life – is an essential outcome of our Theory of Change. To address this, as part of our holistic, evidence-based approach, we provide participants with academic and language support, college preparation, leadership development, and life-skills workshops.
Connected to self management, self awareness and social awareness domains of social-emotional learning skills. Leads to equity and community cohesion.
+46%
"I know how to deal with my emotions when I'm disapointed."
+35%
"I can stay calm even when things get stressful"
+17%
"I speak up for equality."
*Relative increase of positive responses from baseline to endline surveys.
“SWB has helped me practice and improve my English and communication skills, but it has also helped me be disciplined in the field as well as outside the field. I also made friends, some of whom I now consider family.”
- Participant Response from the FY24 Youth Survey
Stories of Impact
2024 uplifted, inspired, and reminded us of soccer’s transformative power. These stories highlight the voices of our participants, the strength of our coaches, and the collective spirit that fuels Soccer Without Borders. Together, they illustrate the impact of creating spaces where everyone can thrive.
From breaking down barriers to building lifelong connections, these stories reflect the incredible resilience of our youth and the power of community. They serve as a testament to what is possible when opportunity, mentorship, and joy come together to create change.
USA Hub Highlights
SWB Bay Area
Through in-school, after-school, weekend, and summer programs, Soccer Without Borders Bay Area (formerly known as SWB Oakland) is a crucial resource to newcomer refugee and immigrant youth across Alameda and San Francisco Counties. As leaders in social inclusion and getting girls in the game, and as active participants in the Bay Area sports-based youth development community, SWB Bay Area also hosts free, intentional leagues where under resourced youth from other organizations can play. SWB Bay Area also leads trainings for coaches to build more equitable program spaces for youth.
Growth and Impact with Further Expansion into the Bay Area
Last summer, we were thrilled to announce that our Oakland hub will now officially be known as SWB Bay Area. This change reflects a recent expansion of our soccer, education, and community-building programs into the city of San Francisco, alongside our established programs in Oakland and Hayward. This expansion and subsequent name change are the result of a new and exciting partnership with the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD). This partnership, which officially began at the start of the 2024-2025 school year, was initiated by SFUSD as a way to meet the academic, social, and community support needs of English Language Learner (ELL) students in the district. (Click here for more.)
Bay FC and SWB Bay Area Create Meaningful Connections
The impact of seeing—and learning from—professional role models was on full display this September when SWB Bay Area welcomed Bay FC to the field. 50 girls from SWB’s middle and high school teams trained alongside Bay FC players Carolina Conte, Joelle Anderson, and Caprice Dydasco, taking on agility drills and a juggling challenge while gaining valuable insight from women at the pinnacle of the sport. The partnership continued off the pitch, as SWB youth were invited to two home matches, and Lupe, a standout defender from Oakland, proudly represented SWB as Bay FC’s honorary captain in their match against Orlando Pride.
Bridging Generations at the Women's Alumni Tournament
December’s Women’s Alumni Tournament in SWB Bay Area set a new record, with 30 alumni from the past 13 years joining 35 current high school participants in an inspiring display of community and connection. This event is more than just a game; it’s a tradition that celebrates the ongoing journey of SWB players beyond their years in the program. Alumni returned not just to compete, but to mentor, uplift, and encourage the next generation, reinforcing the values of teamwork, resilience, and leadership that define SWB. As they reconnected with former teammates and built new relationships, they strengthened a network that continues to empower young women long after they leave the field.
Fiscal Year 2024:
1,181
Participants at SWB Bay Area
48,743
Total Contact Hours at SWB Bay Area
79%
High School Grad Rate (as compared to 59% for newcomers and 71% for all students at schools where SWB Bay Area operates)
998
Activities Held at SWB Bay Area
SWB Colorado
Through in-school, after-school, weekend, and summer programs, Soccer Without Borders Colorado supports newcomer and immigrant youth to overcome barriers to participation in sport, to gain a sense of belonging, and to build social capital. SWB delivers year-round programs and intentionally-designed tournaments across the Denver Metro Area and Weld County, as well as summer programs to support specific newcomer populations. SWB actively participates in the Colorado sports-based youth development community, partnering to ensure that every youth has a safe environment to play, learn, and grow.
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Increasing Impact Through TEAM Program Expansion
In Fall 2024, SWB Colorado expanded its impact by launching new middle and high school TEAM Program sites in North and East Denver, bringing soccer and mentorship to more newcomer youth than ever before. The TEAM Program operates for 28 weeks during the school-year. Programming at each site is designed to support social integration for new-to-country students, providing a safe, consistent space for participants to play, practice their English, and to build new friendships. After just one school semester, the SWB culture of teamwork and belonging is thriving. With this expansion, more newcomers have access to the support they need - on the field, in school, and in their communities.
One Team, 11 Countries: HS Girls at the Copa de los Muertos
At Copa de los Muertos, hosted by Colorado Soccer Foundation, SWB Colorado's High School Girls team took the field representing ten countries but playing as one. In their first gameplay of the season together, these young women showcased incredible teamwork, resilience, and cross-cultural connection. From cheering each other on to creating handshakes across language barriers, they embodied the spirit of SWB. Advancing to the semifinals, they proved that tournaments like these are more than competition—they are opportunities for newcomer athletes to build confidence, friendships, and a sense of belonging through the game they love.
Small Goals, Big Change
In August & September, SWB Colorado hosted tournament fundraisers, bringing together players, supporters, and partners in both Denver and Greeley. The event featured spirited 7v7 play, a Q&A panel where youth participants shared their experiences, and a community impact award recognizing the incredible contribution of photographer Al Milligan (whose photos have made a positive impact across the organization). Funds raised supported essential soccer equipment for newcomer youth, ensuring greater access to the game. This milestone event showcased the power of sport to unite communities while amplifying the voices of the young people at the heart of SWB’s mission.
Fiscal Year 2024:
772
Participants at SWB Colorado
37,790
Total Contact Hours at SWB Colorado
100%
High School Graduation Rate at SWB Colorado
624
Activities Held at SWB Colorado
SWB Maryland
Based in Baltimore City, Soccer Without Borders Maryland directly serves newcomer refugee and immigrant youth in Baltimore City and County through out-of-school-time programs during the school year and summer. Participants include large numbers of Eritrean, Congolese, and Syrian youth, as well as Salvadoran, Ecuadorian and Guatemalan students. Some students have been in the country for weeks, others for years, and together they make up a dynamic community of youth, each with their own unique story. With a focus on English language development on and off the field, SWB Maryland supports newcomer youth grades K-12 to build a sense of agency, belonging, and contribution.
New Middle School Site Expands Reach in Baltimore City
In the fall, SWB Maryland's commitment to 'meeting youth where they are' led to the launch of a new TEAM program at a middle school in Southeast Baltimore. The program provides a holistic approach to development, offering newcomer students a space to receive academic support, mentorship, and soccer training in an inclusive and welcoming environment. Since launching, students have already played in their first SWB Middle School League games, bringing energy and teamwork to the pitch. This initiative represents another step toward ensuring that all youth—regardless of background—have access to the opportunities and support they need to thrive.
International Summer Academy Hosts 180 K-8th Grade Youth
This summer, 180 newcomer youth in Maryland participated in SWB’s International Summer Academy (ISA), a program designed to prevent summer learning loss, build academic confidence, and keep students active during the school break. Through a mix of soccer, English language learning, and community-building activities, ISA created a space where students could develop both their skills and their sense of belonging. By ensuring that learning and connection don’t stop when school does, SWB continues to make a lasting impact beyond the classroom, helping students return to school more prepared, confident, and supported by a strong community.
Equipping Future Leaders With YouthWorks Baltimore
This summer, 30 high school students had the opportunity to become youth leaders at SWB Maryland through Baltimore’s YouthWorks program, supporting younger participants while building leadership and career skills. These youth leaders played a key role in fostering an inclusive and supportive environment, leading soccer drills, mentoring peers, and assisting with off-the-field activities. Beyond their summer employment, they gained valuable workforce training, teamwork experience, and mentorship opportunities that will serve them well in their future education and careers. We'd like to extend a huge shoutout to the high school participants who have grown into passionate leaders, positive role models, and outstanding coaches!
Fiscal Year 2024:
334
Participants at
SWB Maryland
36,038
Total Contact Hours at SWB Maryland
100%
High School Graduation Rate at SWB Maryland
422
Activities Held at SWB Maryland
SWB Massachusetts
Through in-school, after-school, weekend, and summer programs, Soccer Without Borders Massachusetts supports newcomer and immigrant youth to overcome barriers to participation in sport, to gain a sense of belonging, and to build social capital. SWB delivers year-round TEAM programs and intentionally-designed leagues across Eastern Massachusetts, as well as summer programs in cities such as Springfield to support specific newcomer populations. SWB actively participates in the Massachusetts sports-based youth development community, partnering to ensure that every youth has a safe environment to play, learn, and grow.
Follow @swbboston on Instagram!
Coach-Mentors Karla and Nati Honored as Heroes of the Match
Coaches play an essential role in the lives of our participants, providing mentorship, encouragement, and a sense of belonging. This year, two of our Massachusetts coaches, Karla and Natalia, were honored as “Heroes of the Match” by the New England Revolution for their work with newcomer girls in Chelsea. Together, they have supported over 100 young athletes, offering guidance both on and off the field. Whether leading practices, celebrating milestones, or simply being a trusted mentor, their impact extends far beyond the game. Their recognition reflects the dedication of all SWB coaches, who create spaces where youth feel valued, empowered, and inspired to reach their full potential.
Introducing Liga de Paz, SWB MA's Newest League
Our Massachusetts hub kicked off Liga de Paz in October, an in-house league tailored to the specific needs of the local community. This league goes beyond just competitive play, providing a nurturing space for youth to develop essential life skills such as teamwork, respect, and positive sportsmanship. Liga de Paz creates a welcoming environment where all participants can thrive, fostering confidence and forming lasting friendships. Through this unique blend of competition and community, young newcomers build character both on and off the field, making it a truly uplifting experience for everyone involved."All the coaches are very supportive," reflected SWB participant Sophia. "They care about every single person on the team. I know I can talk to them about anything, and they will always help me through it."
Welcoming Boston's Guinean and Senegalese Neighbors
The latest Small Goals Big Change soccer tournament fundraiser, hosted by our Massachusetts hub, was a powerful expression of community solidarity. Partnering with Jewish Family Services and other local organizations, we welcomed newly arrived Guinean and Senegalese refugees through soccer, food, and shared moments of connection. In addition to fundraising, attendees contributed winter jackets and offered a warm embrace to newcomers, highlighting the true meaning of community and the spirit of giving. The event highlighted the strength of our community, creating a warm, inclusive environment that brought everyone closer together through sport and generosity.
Fiscal Year 2024:
1,026
Participants at
SWB Massachusetts
23,712
Total Contact Hours at SWB Massachusetts
100%
High School Graduation Rate at SWB Massachusetts
516
Activities Held at SWB Massachusetts
"Soccer Without Borders goes above and beyond for its participants. Their name has an emphasis on the word soccer, but that’s truly just their vessel for connection, there is so much more to this program than a passion for the sport. SWB ensures that its participants know, from the very first day, that they are
welcome with them and they belong." - Frida, SWB Colorado School Partner
International Hub Highlights
Fútbol Sin Fronteras
Fútbol Sin Fronteras Nicaragua (FSF) uses soccer as a way to build leadership, improve educational outcomes, and strengthen social-emotional skills for girls, ages 5-20. At FSF, sport, education, and leadership development go hand-in-hand. There are many factors that cause a girl in Nicaragua to drop out of school, including domestic responsibilities in the home, a financial need to work in the market/informal economy, unplanned pregnancy, and a lack of visible pathways and encouragement for women to enter the workforce and pursue a career. FSF addresses these barriers through holistic, long-term programming and a future-focused culture that invites girls to "dream big" and imagine their future.
Celebrating 16 Years of Empowerment at FSF
In April, Fútbol Sin Fronteras marked its 16th anniversary with a celebration centered around what unites us most—soccer. Players came together for a Dutch-style tournament, mixing teams to build friendships and strengthen community bonds. The event reflected the hub’s long-standing commitment to creating inclusive spaces where girls feel valued, supported, and empowered. Over the years, SWB Nicaragua has grown into a vibrant network of coaches, mentors, and participants who continue to challenge barriers and expand opportunities for girls in Granada and beyond. Here's to 16 years of impact—and many more to come!
FSF's TEAM Camp: A Summer of Impact
FSF's TEAM Camp returned in July, once again bringing together girls from across the Granada region for two unforgettable weeks of soccer, leadership workshops, and cultural exchange. Participants built confidence, deepened friendships, and strengthened their voices through team-building activities designed to foster inclusion and gender equity. “Speaking from experience, soccer has made me the person that I am today," shared Melisa, a volunteer at this year’s camp. "The skills these girls learn will benefit them in every way possible beyond the soccer field." The impact was clear—on and off the field, these young athletes left with stronger skills, lasting connections, and a renewed sense of possibility.
A Year of Celebration: Copa de Paz & La Carrera por la Niña
At FSF, annual traditions like Copa de Paz and La Carrera por la Niña provide meaningful spaces for celebration and empowerment. In September, the 14th annual Copa de Paz commemorated the International Day of Peace, bringing together over 300 girls to connect through soccer. A month later, La Carrera por la Niña continued its decade-long tradition of promoting gender equity and female leadership in honor of the International Day of the Girl. These events remain powerful reminders of the impact of sport in creating inclusive and inspiring communities.
Fiscal Year 2024:
629
Participants
at FSF
21,298
Total Contact Hours at FSF
119
School Scholarships Provided for Local Girls
851
Activities Held at FSF
SWB Uganda
Through daily programs for out-of-school youth participants, community activities during school holidays, and youth-led soccer leagues, Soccer Without Borders Uganda is a crucial resource to urban refugee youth in Kampala. As leaders in social inclusion and getting girls in the game, and as active participants in the East Africa Common Goal Community, SWB Uganda also works to build the capacity of partner organizations and coaches to build more equitable program spaces for youth.
SWB Alumnus, Mayele Jules Murhula, Appointed Hub Director
SWB Uganda is now led by one of its own. Mayele Jules Murhula, an alumnus of the program, has been named Director after more than a decade of leadership roles across the hub. Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Jules understands firsthand the challenges refugee youth face. His journey—from participant to coach to program manager—has shaped his vision for the future: creating a space where refugee and local youth can find belonging, leadership opportunities, and hope. As he steps into this role, Jules remains committed to ensuring SWB Uganda continues to be a home for young people seeking connection, education, and growth. Learn more, and hear from Jules himself, at this link!
Forging Leadership Pathways for Refugee Youth
SWB Uganda is creating more pathways for youth to lead—on and off the field. This year, 13 refugee youth were awarded full scholarships to continue their formal education, opening doors to new opportunities and a brighter future. At the same time, the SWB Uganda Youth Council continued to thrive, equipping young leaders with the skills to shape their communities. Council members took on roles as assistant coaches, referees, and program ambassadors, ensuring that youth voices drive decisions at the hub. By investing in education and leadership pathways, SWB Uganda is empowering the next generation to lead with confidence and purpose.
Introducing: The Uganda Girls Leagues
What started as the Kampala Girls League has now grown into the Uganda Girls Leagues (UGL). Launched in the fall, the new, country-wide initiative has already provided free, safe soccer opportunities for 838 girls across Uganda! Designed as a space for both beginner and grassroots-level players, the league runs every school holiday across five regions. This expansion ensures more girls have access to consistent, high-quality play in an environment that fosters confidence, friendship, and growth. With new regional hubs and local partners, UGLs are setting a new standard for girls' participation in sport across the country. Follow the Uganda Girls Leagues on Facebook.
Fiscal Year 2024:
3,804
Participants at
SWB Uganda
234,938
Total Contact Hours at SWB Uganda
52%
Participation by Youth Identifying as Girls
2,225
Activities Held at SWB Uganda
SWB Assist Highlights
Soccer serves as the perfect platform to engage youth from all backgrounds and identities. If designed with purpose, the sport has the power to create belonging, strengthen individual agency, and equip young people with the skills they need to reach their greatest potential and contribute to their local communities.
At scale, this approach has the power to transform society to become more inclusive and equitable, combating social isolation, intergroup conflict, discrimination, and systemic exclusion of marginalized identities.
SWB Assist is devoted to advancing inclusion and equity through sport worldwide. With over 17 years of on-the-ground experience serving newcomer youth and marginalized girls globally, we are uniquely equipped to leverage the skills of our most experienced program development experts – and the tools and best practices from our SWB hubs – to support likeminded partners to advance their own strategic goals.
Fiscal Year 2024:
6,400
Total Training Hours Provided by SWB Assist
14
Countries Where SWB Assist Trainings Were Held
43,850
Youth Impacted by SWB Assist Coaches & Leaders
700
Coaches Received Training by SWB Assist
"The impact that coaches have on their players is immediately evident upon attending any practice or event, and the active participation among SWB alumni represents the long-term impact. SWB is an amazing group of compassionate coaches, players and volunteers." - Ellie, SWB Volunteer (GreatNonprofits.org)
FY2024 Financials
As a Platinum Level participant on Candid: Guidestar, Soccer Without Borders upholds the highest level of transparency and integrity in our financial systems. In FY24, we continued our trend of reinvesting prior year surplus funds into expanded services and greater depth of programming on the ground, while maintaining a healthy reserve to ensure stability through uncertainty. In the last 7 years, SWB has invested nearly $20 million into free, holistic youth development programming for underserved youth.
Revenues
$2,937,828
$2,470,656
$715,094
$151,904
$258,240
Total Revenues:
Foundation & Corp.:
Government:
Individual:
Earned/Events:
In Kind:
$6,533,723
45.0%
37.8%
10.9%
2.3%
4.0%
Expenses
$4,301,953
$759,563
$312,990
Total Expenses:
Direct Program:
Administrative:
Fundraising:
$5,374,506
80.0%
14.1%
5.8%
Assets
$1,696,096
$1,783,250
$325,000
Total Ending Net Assets:
Unrestricted:
Board Restricted:
Donor Restricted:
$3,804,346
44.6%
46.9%
8.5%
Liabilities
On November 4, 2021, Soccer Without Borders purchased 3700 Eastern Ave, Baltimore, Maryland, USA to serve as a Youth Hub for local SWB Maryland participants and as organizational headquarters. The long-term liability of $199,226 represents the mortgage principal at fiscal year-end.
Total Liabilities:
Current:
Long-Term:
Total Liabilites & Net Assets:
$496,886
$297,660
$199,226
$4,301,232
August 1, 2023 - July 31, 2024: These financials were independently audited by Han Group LLC.
Our Boards
Our Board of Directors serves as the governing body of the organization and our advisory boards bring their individual and collective expertise to support our leadership teams.
Board of Directors
Erin S. Cook
Martha E. Saavndra
Michael Littleton
Toaha Ahmad
Dino Bovell
Charlie F. Bustin
Gillian R. Cassell-Stiga
Julio Chow-Gamboa
Christopher Grecco
Warshan Hussin
Leila R. Milani
Adaobi Okafor
Tammy M. Reder
Michael R. Sack
Karishma Sheth
(President) Strategy and Facilitation Consultant, SuperDeep Studio
(Secretary) Associate Director, Center for African Studies, UC Berkeley
(Treasurer) Certified Public Accountant
Career Engineering Lead, Google
Director, Business Affairs, TV, and Streaming, NBC Universal
Partner, Douglas C. Lane & Associates
Senior Counsel, The Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights
Senior Manager, Education, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative
Founder, Element Market Research
(SWB Alumnus) Operations Manager, LAZ Parking
International Policy Consultant, Futures Without Violence
Director of Finance, Trees for the Future
Chief Financial Officer, Horizons for Homeless Children
Senior Fellow, Jobs For The Future
Chief Program Officer, EveryMind
National Advisory Board
Calen Carr
Ann Cook
Naomi Girma
Greg Lalas
Simon Levett
Jeff McIntyre
Bill Price
Melissa Roth
Chris Sonntag
On-Air Host, Major League Soccer
Associate Head Coach, Penn State Women’s Soccer
Professional Soccer Player, Chelsea FC & USWNT
Chief Marketing Officer, United Soccer League
Retired Accountant, W-League Franchise Owner
Founder & President, Ruffneck Scarves
President & Founder, Driva Solutions
Vice President & General Counsel, Global Rescue
Head of Partnership Marketing, Chicago Fire FC
Regional Advisory Boards
Bay Area
Omsri Bharat
Andrew Coleman
Neha Desai
Richard Eichmann
Yohannes Harish
Kathryn Nagy
Patricia Merino Price
Mike Woitalla
Colorado
Yoni Dobie-Geffen
Zach Kilimann
Afshin Sarvestani
Sarah Stangl Keras
Shawn Stein
Lisa Taylor
Jasper Verlaan
Maryland
Trey Greiser
Eloise Grose
Runit Kumar
Lindsay Monti
Daniel Solomon
Matthew Warner
Massachusetts
Abdoulaye Balde
Allison Horwitz
Alanna Hughes
Natasha Hussain
Gabrielle Krause
Saf Momen
Daniel O’Connor
Shalini Patel
Amanda Tan
Mercedes Valdes
Taylor Willey
Candida Yanez
Our Partners
In the face of complex challenges, no person, program, or organization can drive change alone. Local, national, and global partnerships with aligned organizations makes our work more impactful and sustaining. We are grateful for all of our outstanding partners whose resources, expertise, and contributions enable us to better accomplish our mission every day.
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Regional Partners
Bay Area
Alameda County Office of Education, Albany-Berkeley Soccer Club, Bay Area Community Resources, Bay Area Wilderness Training, Bay FC, Cal State East Bay, Castlemont High School, City of Oakland, East Bay Asian Youth Center, East Bay Refugee and Immigrant Forum, Fremont High School, Frick United Academy of Language, Gateway Mountain Center, Girls Inc., Goodwin Family Memorial Trust, Greenway Golf/Corica Park, Hayward Promise Neighborhoods, Hayward Unified School District, Hellman Foundation, Immigrant Legal Defense, International Rescue Committee, La Familia Counseling Services, Oakland Fund for Children and Youth, Oakland High School, Oakland International High School, Oakland Kids First, Oakland Public Education Fund, Oakland Roots and Soul Foundation, Oakland Technical High School, Oakland Unified School District, Olympic Club Foundation, Refugee and Immigrant Transitions, Rudsdale Continuation High School, T-Mobile Foundation, Tennyson High School, The Town FC, The Westly Foundation, University of California San Francisco, Urban Promise Academy, Women's Sports Foundation.
Colorado
Adams 12 Five Star Schools, African Community Center, AIMS Community College, Angus Held Foundation, Aurora Public Schools, Colorado Education Initiative, Colorado Health Foundation, Colorado Office of New Americans, Colorado Rapids, Colorado Refugee Services Program, Colorado School of Mines Soccer, Colorado Soccer Foundation, Credit Union of Colorado, The Denver Foundation, First Congregational Church of Greeley, Greeley-Evans School District 6, Kaiser Permanente, Lutheran Family Services of the Rocky Mountains, Northern Colorado Hailstorm & Rain, United Way of Weld County, University of Denver, Weld Community Foundation, Women's Fund of Weld County, The Weld Trust
Maryland
Abell Foundation, Alonso Family Charitable Fund, Annie E. Casey Foundation, Baltimore City Community College, Baltimore County Public Schools, Baltimore Kickers, Baltimore Ravens, Crane Foundation, Enterprise Mobility Foundation, Family League of Baltimore City, Goldseker Foundation, Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, Henry and Ruth Blaustein Rosenberg Foundation, JMI Equity, Joseph and Harvey Meyerhoff Family Charitable Funds, L.A.C.E.S., Leveling the Playing Field, Lois and Philip Macht Family Philanthropic Fund, Maryland State Arts Council, New York Life Foundation, Richman Foundation, T. Rowe Price Foundation, Under Armour, University of Maryland Foundation, Inc., Washington Spirit
Massachusetts
Anna B. Stearns Charitable Foundation, Boston Parks and Recreation Department, Boston Scores, Boston Dreams, Boston Spurs Supporters’ Club, Cabot Foundation, City of Boston - Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Advancement, Clark Univeristy, East Boston Family Engagement Network, East Boston Neighborhood Health Center/Let’s Get Movin’, Everett Public School, Chelsea Public School, Excel Academy Charter School, Falmouth Road Race Charity Program, FIFA World Cup Boston 26 Host Committee, Jewish Family Services, Merriam Family, MIRA Coalition, New England Revolution, Nesworthy Charitable Trust, New American Association of Massachusetts, New Balance Foundation, The Patriots Foundation, PH International, Play Sports Coalition, Procter & Gamble, Project Harmony, Inc., Rick Itzkowich Foundation, Robert & Joan Dircks Family Foundation, Roy A. Hunt Foundation, Soccer Unity Project, Somerville Public School, The Donald McKay School, Up2US Sports, Tickets 4 Kids, United Way of Massachusetts Bay, Wellington Management Foundation, Women’s Sports Foundation, Women Win
Nicaragua
BIMBO, Boreiko Family Foundation, Bristol Link UK, Federación Independiente de Granada, FENIFUT – Fútbol Federation of Nicaragua, Girls' Rights Project, Fundación selección Colombia, Global Rescue, Granada FC, Thomas H. Pope Memorial Fund, Together Women Rise, U.S. Department of State-Sports United, U.S. Embassy in Managua
Uganda
Beyond Sport, British Council, Common Goal, Community Psychosocial Support, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), Dorthea Haus Ross Foundation, Federation of Uganda Football Associations, FIFA Foundation, Futures Without Violence, Global Girl Project, Kids Play International, MAD Sisters, Premier League Premier Skills, Raise Chess Academy, Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa - SIHA, The Swedish Post Code Lottery Foundation
Our Supporters
Every donation (no matter how big or small) is more than a gift—it’s an investment in a more inclusive future. The MVPs on this list contributed $500 or more in FY2024, helping us break down barriers and expand opportunities for newcomer youth. Their belief in our mission makes a lasting impact on and off the field.
SWB In the Media
Mailing Address
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Baltimore, Maryland 21224
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