See Kids Play kids in action and hear what they have to say…

 

KIDS PLAY USA

Kids Play USA Foundation is a national, charitable organization based in Maryland that was formed to remove the financial barriers to participation in youth sports through advocacy, creative program and financial assistance. Today playing organized youth sports has a price tag. Expenses such as team enrollment fees, equipment and uniform costs, travel and other expenses are often substantial and are beyond the already stretched budget of many families. Consequently, their children are not able to play on organized youth teams resulting in a significant portion of America’s children not being engaged in sports and recreation. They are often idle and alone and their number is growing. Kids Play USA is committed to changing this.

Meet Our Founder & Chairman

Darryl Hill broke the racial barriers in college athletics when he played football at the University of Maryland in 1963 and became the first African American scholarship athlete to play sports for a major college in the Deep South.

“Fifty years ago, I fought to eliminate racial discrimination in college athletics so that all young people could have an opportunity to play varsity sports at any college or university. Now with Kids Play USA, I am working to eliminate economic discrimination in youth sports so that all children can have an opportunity to play for any organized youth or school team.”

Commentary
Ernesto’s Story

Who is KIDS PLAY USA?

Our Mission
To remove the financial barriers to participation in youth sports through advocacy and providing financial assistance. Every child has a right to play sports. But as with professional and collegiate sports in America, youth sports have become all too commercial. The expense of organized youth sports often includes fees, equipment, uniforms and travel—which is beyond the means of many children and families. Kids Play USA is dedicated to fixing this problem. Kids benefit in many ways from challenging, well-coached, and fun sports, and those benefits extend to all of us. By helping give all kids access to organized sports, we’re helping America build a better future.
NO KID SHALL BE LEFT ON THE SIDELINES
Our Vision

WE HELP CHILDREN PLAY
What Makes Us Different
• There are many great organizations in America inspiring kids to get off the couch, start playing outside, and be healthy. However, many kids are left on the sidelines and can’t fulfill these requests, since they can’t afford to pay to play. That’s where Kids Play USA Foundation comes in. Our program helps lower participation and equipment fees, solve transportation issues, and get kids back on the fields and courts where they belong; so they can create healthy lifestyles, and have more successful futures.
Our Team
Staff & Directors

Did You Know?

  • 1/3 of U.S. children will be overweight or obese by 3rd grade
  • In 2011, 4.5 million kids, ages 6 to 12 didn’t exercise at all
  • Athletes are 17x less likely to drop out of school
  • Idle children are 3x more likely to get involved with criminal activity