FFC Youth Sports Fund
When sports reach every child, they spark lasting change that strengthens generations. The FFC Youth Sports Fund powers this vision by investing in youth and mobilizing a region-wide movement to ensure every young person in the DC metro area can access the benefits of sport.
Interested in supporting or joining the FFC Youth Sports Fund? Contact us to start the conversation: shiree.skinner@fightforchildren.org
The Current System Isn't Working for All Kids
Despite the proven benefits of youth sports, systemic barriers prevent too many DC metro area children from accessing quality programs. The data reveals a troubling reality:
70%
Dropout Crisis
70% of kids drop out of sports by age 13, often due to cost, accessibility, or lack of opportunity, robbing them of critical developmental benefits.
62%
Access Issue
Only 62% of DC metro youth ages 6-17 play sports. But access isn’t equal: just 53% of girls play (vs. 70% of boys), and only 51% of Black youth play (vs. 84% of White youth).
$883
Rising Costs
Average annual cost per child to play sports nationally is $883, and climbing. Hidden costs like transportation turn “free” programs into impossible barriers for low-income families.
20%
Untrained Coaches
Only 20% of the nation’s 6.5 million youth coaches receive training, leaving many young athletes without the quality mentorship and safety protocols they deserve.
Fight For Children is Changing This
Through the FFC Youth Sports Fund, we're investing in sustainable solutions that address these barriers head-on—building capacity, increasing access, and creating systemic change that ensures every child can play.
“It’s time to shift the conversation—youth sports aren’t a nice-to-have; they’re essential to every child’s growth and wellbeing. For every DC metro area student currently in an after-school program, one more would participate if it was available to them.” – James Kallusky, EdD. – Fight For Children President & CEO
Our Vision: Every child in the DC region has access to high-impact sports.
Fight For Children is launching the FFC Youth Sports Fund to strengthen a growing movement across the DC metro area, focused on making high-quality youth sports accessible for every child.
The Fund is a Collective Promise to Our Children
It’s about ensuring that every young person in DC metro area, regardless of their zip code, has the chance to experience the joy of the game, the discipline of teamwork, and the lifelong benefits of an active, healthy lifestyle. It will provide the resources to empower community programs, foster innovation, and build a sustainable future where every child in our region can reach their full potential.
How the Fund Works: 8 Key Strategies
The DC Youth Sports Fund invests across eight strategic areas to create lasting systemic change.
1. Grants to Members
Direct funding to Youth Sports Collaborative member organizations to expand programming, serve more youth, and remove financial barriers to participation.
2. Capacity Building
Supporting organizational learning, professional development, and operational excellence so programs can scale sustainably.
3. Community Events
Funding for FFC’s initiatives that rally the sports-based youth development community like our Youth Sports Town Hall and Youth Sports Day that create discovery opportunities.
4. Research
Data collection, impact measurement, and evidence-based research to understand what works and drive informed decision-making.
5. Leadership
Thought leadership, convening power, and visibility for the youth sports equity movement at local and national levels.
6. Coalition Building
Strengthening partnerships among schools, community organizations, businesses, and policymakers to create a unified ecosystem.
7. Shared Learning
Creating platforms for peer exchange, best practice sharing, and collaborative problem-solving across the network.
8. Advocacy
Policy work to address systemic barriers like field access, transportation, and funding equity at the city and regional level.
Leadership Message
“Washington, DC’s young people are growing up in a complex world where youth sports can provide the stability and community they need to thrive. However, too many kids in our city lack access to affordable, high-quality sports programs and safe facilities. For the past 35 years, Fight For Children has been a pillar in the DC philanthropic community. More recently, over the last five years, we have built a collaborative network of regional nonprofits focused on improving the lives of young people through sport.”
“Now with over 37 member organizations, we’ve seen firsthand the impact of sports on confidence, relationships, and well-being. But the barriers remain too high for many. That’s why Fight For Children is proud to establish the DC Youth Sports Fund—to empower organizations to focus more on serving kids and less on fighting for resources and space.”
“I have dedicated my career to serving sports-based youth development programs and I know that investing in youth sports today means investing in economic development, health, and community strength tomorrow. Together, we can build a more equitable sports system that benefits every child in the District.”
James Kallusky, Ed.D.
Fight For Children President & CEO