Laureus USA Launches Sport for Good Dallas to Expand Opportunity for Youth Through Sport

NEW YORK CITY, June 19, 2026 — Laureus USA and Movember continued their summer of soccer + mental health hosting a clinic at Nike Soccer Kick Around at Macombs Dam Park in the Bronx. More than 170 young people joined the event, celebrating the global excitement surrounding this summer’s tournament. 

Laureus USA Launches Sport for Good Dallas to Expand Opportunity for Youth Through Sport 

Community-led initiative launches with founding funders, a new grant opportunity for local organizations, a research partnership with SMU CORE, and a growing coalition committed to strengthening Dallas’ youth sport ecosystem. 

DALLAS, Texas (July 30, 2026) — Laureus Sport for Good USA today announced the launch of Sport for Good Dallas, the newest city in its internationally recognized Sport for Good Cities network. Designed to strengthen the youth sport ecosystem across the Dallas metro area, the initiative brings together nonprofits, philanthropy, business, education, civic leaders, and community organizations around a shared vision: ensuring every young person has access to quality sport and the opportunities it creates. 

Building on more than a decade of experience working with communities to leverage sport as a catalyst for social change, Sport for Good Dallas represents a long-term commitment to investing in local organizations, strengthening collaboration, and creating lasting opportunities for youth. Rather than creating new programs, the initiative is designed to support and amplify the organizations already doing exceptional work across Dallas while helping connect partners, build capacity, and attract additional investment.

“Over the past few years, Laureus USA has steadily built relationships in Dallas. Through that process, we’ve gotten to know the extraordinary organizations and leaders who are transforming young people’s lives through sport,” said Ben Schornack, Executive Director of Laureus USA. “Sport for Good Dallas is our long-term commitment to investing in those leaders, strengthening the ecosystem, and ensuring more young people have the opportunity to thrive through sport.” to every young person who deserves the opportunities sport creates.”  

Sport for Good Dallas builds on the belief that sport can improve health and educational outcomes, leadership skills, and economic opportunity when young people have access to safe, high-quality experiences. By aligning organizations around a shared vision and common goals, the initiative seeks to strengthen the entire youth sport ecosystem—not just individual programs.  

Investing In Dallas Organizations 

As part of today’s launch, Laureus USA is opening its first Sport for Good Dallas Request for Proposals (RFP) for eligible sport-based youth development organizations serving young people across the Dallas metro area. Laureus expects to award approximately 7–10 grants ranging from $15,000 to $20,000. 

Beyond funding, selected organizations will become part of the broader Sport for Good Dallas network, gaining opportunities to collaborate with peers, participate in coalition activities, access leadership development and capacity-building resources, and contribute to a shared vision for strengthening youth sport across the region. 

A Collaborative Foundation 

Sport for Good Dallas launches with the support of Founding Funders Lyda Hill Philanthropies, Sixth Street Foundation, etc group, and Child Poverty Action Lab (CPAL), alongside the continued partnership with Richemont. 

“Sport reaches Dallas children in a way almost nothing else does. It’s one of the few places a kid shows up voluntarily, week after week, and trusts the adult standing in front of them. Sport for Good builds on that insight,” shared Alan Cohen, Founder & CEO of the Child Poverty Action Lab (CPAL).  “This city already has a great foundation of incredible youth sports organizations putting it to work every day.  We wanted to partner with Laureus USA because they know how to connect those efforts and bring partners together around a shared vision for expanding opportunity through sport.” 

Laureus USA is also partnering with Southern Methodist University’s Addy Foundation Center on Research and Evaluation (CORE) as Sport for Good Dallas’ Research & Evaluation Partner. CORE will establish baseline data, develop a long-term evaluation framework tailored to the Dallas community, and help measure the initiative’s progress over time. 

Central to Sport for Good Dallas is a growing coalition of organizations committed to strengthening the youth sport ecosystem through collaboration, shared learning, and collective action. Together, the initiative’s 17 Founding Coalition Members will help guide priorities, strengthen partnerships, and expand opportunities for youth across the region. 

 FOUNDING COALITION MEMBERS: 

• Beyond the Ball, Inc.  

• Bridge Lacrosse  

• Cedar Crest Comets Foundation   

• Center for Healing & Justice through Sport 

• City of Dallas Park and Recreation Department  

• Dallas United Crew  

• Diamond Hill North Side Youth Association   

• DistinctlyHis Ministries   

• gamechangHERS  

• Girls on the Run DFW Metroplex  

• I AM a Golfer Foundation 

• Jazz Network 

• Jubilee Park & Community Center  

• Mercy Street, Inc.  

• Rae’s Hope Inc  

• The Melville Family Foundation   

• Win With Integrity Inc.
   

Official Launch Events 

The launch of Sport for Good Dallas begins with two events designed to bring together the people who will help shape the initiative’s future. 

The morning Coalition Meet & Greet will convene youth sport organizations, nonprofit leaders, and community stakeholders to build relationships, exchange ideas, and lay the foundation for a collaborative network dedicated to expanding access to quality sport. 

That evening, philanthropic, corporate, civic, and sports leaders will gather for the Sport for Good Dallas Launch Reception, celebrating the community partnerships that made the initiative possible while looking ahead to what’s possible. 

Olympic gold medalist, Dallas native, and Laureus USA Board Member Michael Johnson will join the evening celebration. 

“Growing up in Dallas, sport gave me far more than the chance to compete. It taught me discipline, resilience, confidence, and what’s possible when someone believes in your potential. Every young person deserves those same opportunities. I’m proud to support Sport for Good Dallas because it’s investing in the organizations and leaders who are helping the next generation discover what’s possible through sport.” 

Call to Action 

Whether you’re a youth-serving organization, community leader, or potential supporter, there are multiple ways to join the Sport for Good Dallas movement: 

• Apply for Funding: Eligible sport-based youth development organizations are invited to learn more about the inaugural Sport for Good Dallas grant opportunity and submit an application. Apply here. 

• Join the Coalition: Organizations committed to expanding access to quality sport are encouraged to join the growing Sport for Good Dallas coalition. Join here. 

• Invest in the Future of Dallas Youth: Philanthropic partners, corporations, and individuals interested in supporting Sport for Good Dallas can learn more at laureususa.com or reach out to sportforgoodusa@laureus.com.