Building Belonging in Chicago: Support Our 2025–26 Fundraising Campaign

As we look toward the winter season and the exciting growth planned for 2026, the CJ Brown Foundation is launching its annual fundraising campaign with a vital goal: to raise $25,000 to expand access, strengthen program quality, and support our growing community of youth, families, and young adult leaders.

This investment fuels more than soccer programs. It strengthens pathways for success, personal growth, and leadership development across Chicago’s South and West Sides.

Why Your Support Matters More Than Ever

Our programs continue to grow in scale, quality, and community impact. As participation increases and families return season after season, the Foundation is expanding its offerings to meet the full spectrum of youth and community needs.

Your support directly empowers this growth by helping us provide:

1. Committed to youth soccer programming on Chicago’s South and West sides

High-quality youth programs that simultaneously train young adults in Chicago to coach and lead. Your donation supports:

• Fun, positive, and safe playing opportunities for local young adults

• Weekly training and games

• Uniforms

These donations strengthen our learning environment and empower youths with confidence, self-efficacy, and technical skills.

2. Employment, Development, and Licensing for Coaches

High-quality youth programs depend on highly trained, community-rooted coaches. Your donation supports:

• Paid coaching opportunities for local young adults

• Weekly professional development and mentorship

• USSF Grassroots Coaching Licenses through the Illinois Youth Soccer Association

• Coaching coursework delivered by a licensed social worker to improve trauma-informed practice

• Leadership pathways for those pursuing long-term careers in youth development

These investments strengthen our staff and empower young adults with employable skills, confidence, and purpose.

3. Tutoring and Academic Support for Players

In 2026, CJBF will introduce a tutoring and academic support program, ensuring that players receive help not only on the field but also in school. This new initiative aims to:

• Support homework and literacy

• Reinforce healthy study habits

• Provide volunteer or college-credit opportunities for local college students

• Reduce academic barriers that often limit youth participation in extracurricular activities

This academic pillar reflects our belief that every player deserves full-picture support—not just sports development.

4. Expanded Internship Opportunities

We are preparing to welcome additional interns from Chicago-area colleges and universities, giving local young adults meaningful experience in:

• Coaching

• Program operations

• Data collection and evaluation

• Youth engagement and mentorship

• Leadership development

These internships strengthen our staffing capacity while building a pipeline of young professionals committed to serving their community.

5. Equipment, Resources, and Safe Indoor Spaces

Funding ensures we are equipped for:

• Indoor futsal and winter programming

• Safe, modern equipment for all age groups

• Goals, balls, pinnies, cones, and movement tools

• First-aid and safety resources

• Growth into new sites and expanded age groups

Every contribution helps provide a high-quality playing and learning environment for all children.

6. An Accelerated Player Pathway for Advanced Learners

Beginning in 2026, CJBF will launch an accelerated program for players who demonstrate readiness for more challenging training and competitive experience. This additional programming provides:

• Additional technical development

• Advanced small-group instruction

• Character and leadership workshops

• Support for players exploring long-term athletic and academic pathways

Your support helps ensure that rising young athletes have access to more in-depth and focused development opportunities, regardless of family income.

Join Us in Building What’s Next

With your support, the CJ Brown Foundation will continue to grow its programming, deepen community impact, and expand access to vital resources on the field, in the classroom, and into the future.

President and Founder CJ Brown emphasized the importance of supporting the Foundation at this pivotal moment of momentum and opportunity:

Ways You Can Support

• One-time donation

• Monthly recurring gift

• Corporate sponsorships

• Share our campaign with your network

Every contribution brings us closer to our $25,000 goal and helps us provide the comprehensive, community-rooted support that Chicago’s young people deserve. Together, we can build something powerful: a community of young people who belong, feel supported, and have real opportunities to thrive.

Donate here!