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New England Revolution Players Collaborative Fund Unveiled with $20,000 Donation to Black Players for Change

July 29, 2021 - Major League Soccer (MLS) - New England Revolution News Release


FOXBOROUGH, Mass. - Continuing to take action to promote social justice and equality, the New England Revolution and the Kraft family have launched the New England Revolution Players Collaborative Fund to support organizations working to create meaningful change in the New England community. A committee of Revolution players, including Earl Edwards Jr., Co-Founder of Black Players for Change, will distribute $20,000 bimonthly, donated by the Kraft family, awarding grants to local grassroots organizations that are working to promote equity and end systemic racism.

The first beneficiary of the newly established fund - selected by a committee of Revolution players - is Black Players for Change (BPC). Black Players for Change is an independent organization consisting of more than 170 players, coaches, and staff from across Major League Soccer, working to bridge the racial equality gap that exists in soccer and society. As the first recipients of the $20,000 donation, provided by the Kraft family, BPC will collaborate closely with the Revolution player committee to identify organizations and initiatives in the Boston area and surrounding communities to reinvest the funds on a local level.

"It is a great honor for the Kraft family to work with the New England Revolution players to establish a fund that will support organizations and people engaged in the ongoing fight for racial justice and equality," said Josh Kraft, President of Kraft Family Philanthropies. "It is crucial that we continue to support them in new, tangible and meaningful ways. We are proud to provide continued assistance to those who are leading this vital work in our community."

"As a board member of Black Players for Change and as a player of the New England Revolution, I am extremely grateful for what the Kraft family has committed to with the New England Revolution Players Collaborative Fund," said Revolution goalkeeper and Black Players for Change's executive board member Earl Edwards Jr. "This is a concerted effort that is required to establish real change in a system that was so meticulously built to oppress people of color. The thoughtfulness of the Kraft family has exceeded my expectations, and I hope it sets a strong example for other clubs across the league."

Part of the inaugural donation will be used by Black Players for Change to fund the construction of mini soccer pitches in under-resourced communities nationwide. This is part of national initiative by Black Players for Change, in collaboration with the Black Women's Player Collective, to build dozens of mini pitches nationwide.

"We are honored to be chosen as the first beneficiaries of the New England Players Collaboration Fund," said Justin Morrow, executive director of Black Players for Change and a defender for Toronto FC. "Thank you to the Krafts for leading the way in community investment. Your continued commitment through this project will help our mission of building a more equitable landscape for minorities in the New England area."

The Revolution Players Collaborative Fund is a key pillar of the club's C.H.A.N.G.E. platform, which seeks to support and uplift organizations and community leaders who are working to combat inequity and racial injustice. The club will be unveiling additional initiatives, partnerships, and events in the coming weeks ahead of the Revolution's "Match for C.H.A.N.G.E." at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, Aug. 21.

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