Urban Champions Academy

Champions Strong: The $100 Fall Challenge

20 Teams. 350 Student-Athletes. One Strong Community.

Champions FC, AC River, and Athenians are coming together for Champions Strong, our fall student-athlete fundraising campaign through The Big Give.

Approximately 350 student-athletes across 20 teams are joining together with families, coaches, board members, leadership, alumni, friends, and community supporters to help us reach our $25,000 Champions Strong goal.

At Champions, we believe developing a student-athlete goes far beyond the game. Through our Mind, Body, Soul, Legacy & YOU approach, we use soccer as a vehicle to help young people develop resilience, leadership, wellness, purpose, accountability, and the confidence to become Champions of Life.

Champions Strong gives our student-athletes an opportunity to practice those same values through goal-setting, communication, teamwork, gratitude, and advocating for something bigger than themselves.

The $100 Challenge

Each participating student-athlete is challenged to help generate $100 in community support.

That can be as simple as:

4 supporters × $25 = $100
2 supporters × $50 = $100
1 supporter × $100 = $100

Families may complete their $100 Fall Fundraising Commitment through Champions Strong, our October Holiday Tamale Fundraiser, or a combination of both. Families who already paid the $100 fundraiser opt-out during registration have already fulfilled their commitment.

The Big Give Power Play

The most exciting part of Champions Strong happens during The Big Give on September 23–24.

During designated Match Minutes, eligible donations may receive additional matching funds while the matching pool remains available.

Our student-athletes are building donor commitments before the Big Give, while parents, Team Managers, coaches, board members, and Champions leadership help activate supporters during the designated Match Minutes—including during school hours so students can remain focused on school.

A gift can be made at any time during Champions Strong, but gifts made during designated Big Give Match Minutes may have an opportunity to create even greater impact.

Your Gift Helps Fuel

• Affordable youth soccer programming
• Coaching and mentorship
• Student leadership development
• YOU TIME and holistic wellness programming
• Equipment and field operations
• Academic and student support
• Scholarships and access
• Community service and leadership opportunities

Join Us

Support a Champion. Support a team. Support the next generation.

Give today—or join us during our Big Give Power Play September 23–24—and help us reach our $25,000 goal.

Champions Strong runs two weeks through October 5, 2026.

Together, we are Champions Strong.