MLS NEXT Delivering Access Presented by DoorDash to Provide Annual Support to Soccer Communities

DoorDash to donate $150,000 annually to benefit up to six MLS NEXT clubs outside of the MLS club academy system

NEW YORK (Monday, July 25, 2022) – MLS NEXT and DoorDash today announced that applications are now open for MLS NEXT Delivering Access presented by DoorDash, a program to benefit MLS NEXT clubs by providing financial resources to support the advancement of soccer communities throughout the MLS NEXT system. 

Through MLS NEXT Delivering Access presented by DoorDash, DoorDash will provide $150,000 annually to benefit up to six soccer clubs within MLS NEXT as part of MLS NEXT and DoorDash’s shared commitment to support the advancement of soccer communities throughout MLS NEXT and deliver opportunities for soccer communities playing at that elite level. 

By uncovering stories of exceptional self-sacrifice by members of the soccer community, MLS NEXT Delivering Access presented by DoorDash will provide up to $25,000 in funding to six soccer communities  outside of the MLS club academy system across the MLS NEXT ecosystem, annually. Clubs have the opportunity to submit their stories demonstrating the grassroots efforts made by players, staff, families, and local communities to a review board. 

The submissions will be reviewed by a panel, which will select the clubs that demonstrate extraordinary needs or challenges. MLS NEXT will ensure that distributed funds are spent to support the advancement of each club’s sporting initiatives.

To determine recipients, the panel will consider the following factors: 

• Coaching and Training: Clubs that have financial needs to support training, equipment, facilities, and/or coaching tools.
• Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Clubs that prioritize building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable environment for all within their soccer community, including players, staff, and parents.  
• Community: Clubs that rely on community members to provide volunteer services or products to a club to ensure quality operations and an acceptable training environment.
• Financial Hardship: Clubs who demonstrate the need for financial assistance to support player scholarships to participate.
• Transportation: Clubs who demonstrate the need for transportation to allow players to participate. 

MLS NEXT will review all applications and identify the top-10 submissions. An independent panel will then review and grade each application on a scale of 1-10 with one being the lowest and 10 the highest. All scores will be tabulated to determine the six recipient clubs. The panel will be comprised of:

• DoorDash Representative (Kofi Amoo-Gottfried – Chief Marketing Officer)
• MLS Player Development Representative (Fred Lipka – Vice President, Player and Youth Development)
• MLS NEXT Equity Action Committee Representative
• MLS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Representative (Tunde Oguntimein – Vice President, Commissioner’s Office)

MLS NEXT Delivering Access presented by DoorDash applications will be open through September 25 and can be found HERE. Winners will be announced in December 2022.

About MLS NEXT

MLS NEXT is a new paradigm for player development, launched in 2020 to transform youth soccer in North America. Founded on a collaborative approach to governance and a commitment to innovation, MLS NEXT players have access to the highest level of competition, training and personal development opportunities that will prepare them for their futures, both in soccer and in life. Membership for the 2021-22 season includes 133 clubs, 598 teams and over 12,000 players across the U.S. and Canada. Official partners of MLS NEXT include adidas, Allstate, DoorDash, and the University of South Carolina. For more information about MLS NEXT, visit www.mlssoccer.com/mlsnext.

About DoorDash

DoorDash (NYSE: DASH) is a technology company that connects consumers with their favorite businesses in 27 countries across the globe. Founded in 2013, DoorDash enables local businesses to address consumers’ expectations of ease and immediacy and thrive in today’s convenience economy. By building the logistics infrastructure for local commerce, DoorDash is bringing communities closer, one doorstep at a time.