Program Areas

Sports & Recreation

What we do

Safe, well-maintained places to gather, exercise and play are fundamental to the development and well-being of the members of any community—especially children. In distressed neighborhoods, where positive recreational outlets may be scarce, a playing field or park can serve as a welcome refuge from unsafe streets and as a deterrent to gang activity and other negative influences. For parents, youth recreation can mean peace of mind, and a chance to connect with other families in the community. 

A neighborhood dotted with well-cared for greenspace and sports fields also attracts commercial investment, enjoys lower crime rates and appeals to people who want to put down roots. 

Soccer players at MLK field in Richmond, CA. The multi-sport complex includes a football field, a track and basketball courts.
Soccer players at MLK field in Richmond, CA. The multi-sport complex includes a football field, a track and basketball courts.

What we offer

Together with the NFL Foundation Grassroots Program, we make it possible for community groups to build or renovate playing fields.  Our partnership with ESPN has helped create and new basketball courts through the Home Court Program and turn blighted, vacant sites into much needed recreation spaces through the RePlay Program. LISC also teamed up with Under Armour to improve the quality, safety, and accessibility of sports and recreation facilities in Baltimore City Schools. And in partnership with the Atlanta United Foundation (AUF), we're launching GA100 to create up to 100 mini-pitches across Atlanta. 

We helped build or renovate more than
452
recreation facilities

Through our local offices and rural program across the country, we’ve been on the ground to create or revive hundreds of parks, greenways, trails and playgrounds. Because safe, accessible places to exercise are part of what makes a neighborhood healthy and sustainable—and where people want to live.

Latest news

Atlanta United Community Fund Awards $3.36M for Next Phase of GA 100

The Atlanta United Community Fund (AUCF) announced it has awarded an additional $3.36 million for the next phase of the GA 100 campaign to construct up to 30 additional mini-pitches across Georgia. AUCF is now accepting requests for proposals in partnership with LISC for a matching grant of up to $100,000.

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Beverly Smith

Contact

Beverly Smith, Vice President
Email