Community partnership will connect students, families and veterans with opportunities and support, culminating in a November 6 match against Tampa Bay Sun FC
A student finds encouragement from a mentor. A child discovers the confidence to try soccer for the first time. A family connects with support close to home, and a veteran finds a community ready to stand beside them. Those are the moments Fort Lauderdale United FC and United Way Broward hope to create through a new partnership built around a shared promise: to be United For Good. Their work together will reach from schools and soccer fields into neighborhoods across Broward County, culminating in the club’s “United For Good” match against Tampa Bay Sun FC on November 6.
This strategic partnership brings the club’s players, staff and supporters into United Way Broward’s community work. Through ReadingPals mentorship and Community Partnership Schools, players will have opportunities to meet students where they learn, share their own paths and encourage young people to pursue theirs. Youth soccer clinics will offer another place to build confidence, friendships and a sense of belonging.
The organizations also plan quarterly service projects that give fans and partners a way to participate. Their work will draw attention to healthy community initiatives and United Way Broward’s Mission United’s support for veterans and their families, connecting the energy around the club to needs across Broward County.
“Soccer has a way of bringing people together, and this partnership gives us a way to carry that connection beyond the match,” said Tommy Smith, Founder and Chairman of Fort Lauderdale United FC. “Whether one of our players inspires a student or one of our fans steps forward to serve, we want being United For Good to mean something tangible for our neighbors.”
That invitation will take center stage on Friday, November 6, when Fort Lauderdale United hosts Tampa Bay Sun FC for its first ever, “United For Good” match where the club will donate a portion of all ticket sales to United Way Broward, giving every fan who purchases a ticket a way to support its work. United Way Broward will be at the match to share how fans can volunteer, give back and connect with community resources. The evening will recognize the partnership on the field and throughout the stadium, including custom player warmup shirts, player walkout with children from partner school, veteran color guard and special halftime check presentation. Both Fort Lauderdale United and United Way Broward hope the match will grow into an annual event: a night that celebrates soccer while giving more Broward residents a starting point for community involvement.
“United For Good” ticket information and additional match details can be found below. https://tickets.ftlutd.com/event/ft-lauderdale-united-fc-vs-tampa-bay-sun-fc-jasmv7
“Fort Lauderdale United gives United Way Broward a fresh way to connect with fans who love soccer,” said Kathleen Cannon, LCSW, President & CEO of United Way Broward. “We’re excited to create meaningful moments around matches, introduce our mission to a new audience and connect more individuals and families with resources and opportunities that help them thrive.”
For Kathleen, the promise of the partnership lies in what happens after a fan leaves the stadium: a new volunteer shows up to read with a child, a student sees a path forward, or a family discovers help it did not know was available. “Our work focuses on helping young people succeed, supporting families and creating pathways to greater health and well-being,” Kathleen said. “Together with Fort Lauderdale United, we can turn that shared commitment into opportunities for people to get involved and make a lasting difference across Broward County.”
About United Way Broward | United Way Broward mobilizes communities to action so all can thrive. True to our founding spirit, whenever there is a need in our community, United Way is there. For more than 85 years, United Way Broward has brought a comprehensive approach to every challenge, actively listening and responding to local needs. Our reach across the communities in Broward County means we can share innovations and scale impact to improve lives in collaboration with our donors, volunteers, corporate and agency partners. From strengthening local resilience to advancing health, youth opportunity, and financial security, we’re working towards a future where every person in every community can reach their full potential. To learn more, visit UnitedWayBroward.org
