NWSL Angel City FC

Angel City FC Announces Impact Fund Launch and New Sponsor

Published on December 16, 2020 under National Women's Soccer League (NWSL)
Angel City FC News Release


LOS ANGELES -- Angel City Football Club (ACFC), Los Angeles' newest professional women's soccer team set to take the field as part of the NWSL in Spring 2022, today announces Therabody, the global leader in tech wellness, as the team's founding tech wellness partner. The team also announces the establishment of the Angel City Impact Fund (ACIF) on microlending platform Kiva.

The founding partnership with Therabody will integrate Theragun percussive therapy devices into the teams' training and recovery programs, as well as leverage Therabody University, the brand's educational division led by its Founder and Chief Wellness Officer Dr. Jason Wersland and its network of world-renowned health and fitness professionals. Additionally, as the first ACIF partner, Therabody will fund the first activation of the ACIF. The first campaign will fund local female-owned small businesses across Los Angeles.

Kiva is a microfinance nonprofit, working toward global financial inclusion. On Kiva's platform, users can lend small sums - as little as $25 - which are then pooled into loans for small businesses. These loans are low interest, no-fee crowdfunded loans which are immediately disbursed to borrowers in need. Loans will go to local female small business owners like Shawnte Marquez, and her organization, Joyful Paws. Marquez says Kiva "was the first helping hand to be extended to me," during difficult times, with the funds the program provided her with giving her the "hope to make it through."

In this first campaign, ACFC members will receive a $25 Kiva credit via email and have the opportunity to lend to a female-owned and California- based small business on the Kiva platform. Members are welcome to add their own funds and select other borrowers that inspire them. ACFC plans to activate numerous fundraising campaigns with Kiva, with each funded by partners fulfilling their commitment to the Angel City Sponsorship Model. Through the model, ACFC collaborates with partners to re-allocate 10% of the value of their sponsorship via product, asset, or monetary donation to local causes.

"Empowering people to live better lives is core to who we are," explains Benjamin Nazarian, CEO of Therabody. "We're honored to be a founding partner of Angel City, and look forward to creating impact together and empowering businesses in our community through Kiva."

"It's heartbreaking to see how many small businesses have been deeply affected by the ongoing pandemic, and as a long-time Kiva lender and former Kiva fellow, volunteering in Armenia, I'm thrilled to partner with Kiva to get much-needed funds in the hands of small businesses across LA through the Angel City Impact Fund," said Alexis Ohanian, Founding Investor of ACFC and Founder of Seven Seven Six. "We are grateful to our newest partner Therabody for funding this first of many initiatives to help businesses in our community and look forward to working with Kiva to continue to do so for years to come."

"We are thrilled to welcome Therabody to the Angel City family as they are a company that aligns on so many levels with our core values of essentials, education, and equality," said Julie Uhrman, Founder and President, ACFC. "ACFC and Therabody are both LA-founded companies, so we know first hand just how critical platforms like Kiva can be, especially during this challenging time. We are excited to see impact right away."

"We are proud to partner with Angel City on the crucial initiative of providing necessary resources and capital to underserved entrepreneurs," said Rohit Agarwal, Head of Kiva US. "Kiva's mission is to improve global financial inclusion, which has been especially important for business owners struggling through COVID-19. With the help of our partners, we are excited to continue this momentum towards bridging the financial access gap and providing essential funding to marginalized and underrepresented entrepreneurs."

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