Subaru Partners with Philadelphia Union to Distribute Soccer Equipment to Five Local Youth Organizations

Key Takeaways

• Subaru’s Gear for Good initiative targets distribution of at least 2,026 pieces of soccer equipment through April 2026 across Philadelphia and Camden communities
• Five beneficiary organizations selected to receive new gear tailored to their program needs: Capitolo Youth Soccer Club, Dr. Henry H. Davis School, Project Primacy, Safe-Hub Philly, and Youth Development United
• Collection network includes 17 Subaru retailers and Subaru Park, with equipment flowing to more than 100 youth programs through partnerships with Leveling the Playing Field and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
• Initiative launches ahead of major soccer events coming to Philadelphia in 2026, leveraging timing to expand youth access to the sport
• Community members can donate gear through April 3, 2026, with sweepstakes prizes including a trip to the 2026 MLS All-Star Weekend

Subaru of America announced December 5 the five local organizations that will receive equipment through its Gear for Good initiative, a soccer-focused program designed to expand youth access in the Philadelphia and Camden region. The automaker structured the program around both direct equipment grants to selected organizations and an ongoing collection system that distributes gear to youth programs across the area.

Equipment Distribution Through Dual-Track System

The initiative operates through two distribution channels. The five named beneficiary organizations will receive brand-new equipment from Subaru customized to their specific program requirements. Separately, Subaru established a collection network of 17 retail locations plus Subaru Park in Chester, PA, where community members can donate new or gently used soccer gear including cleats, goalie gloves, shin guards, and balls.

Collected equipment flows to more than 100 youth programs through coordination with Leveling the Playing Field, a nonprofit specializing in sports equipment redistribution, and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. The collection period runs through April 3, 2026, with Subaru targeting distribution of at least 2,026 pieces of equipment. Any surplus items beyond the five primary beneficiaries will reach additional youth organizations throughout the collection period.

“At Subaru, we believe in showing up for our communities in ways that truly matter,” said Alan Bethke, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Subaru of America. “These organizations are already doing powerful work to support kids through the game of soccer, and we’re proud that Subaru: Gear for Good will help deepen that impact, especially as we head into 2026.”

Five Organizations Selected Based on Youth Development Mission

Subaru selected each beneficiary organization for its established work supporting local youth through soccer and sports development programs:

Capitolo Youth Soccer Club uses soccer to teach fitness, sportsmanship, respect, and community values. The club emphasizes player development through experimentation and creativity without judgment.

Dr. Henry H. Davis School in East Camden serves approximately 475 students from Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade across various learning modalities. The school is named after Camden’s first medical inspector, whose work in school health and nutrition saved children’s lives in the early 1900s.

Project Primacy focuses specifically on Black and Brown children in inner-city Philadelphia, providing access to sports, mentorship, and development opportunities. The foundation runs free soccer clinics and fundraising events including its “Dribble & Carry” Broad Street RUNdraiser.

Safe-Hub Philly operates soccer-based out-of-school-time programs focused on personal development, health, education, and employment. The organization positions soccer as a stigma-free entry point for families to access supportive services.

Youth Development United provides children from under-served communities with extracurricular opportunities through sports and recreational programs, offering after-school and weekend activities that increase access to mentorship, wellness, and personal development.

Partnership Leverages Existing Infrastructure and Nonprofit Expertise

The program builds on existing relationships between Subaru, the Philadelphia Union, Leveling the Playing Field, and Philadelphia Parks & Recreation. Subaru already has naming rights to the Union’s home stadium in Chester, giving the company an established presence in the region’s soccer community.

Leveling the Playing Field brings operational expertise in equipment collection and redistribution. Founded in 2013, the organization addresses cost barriers in youth sports by collecting and sorting donated equipment, then supplying it to schools, community programs, and youth organizations. This model allows youth programs to redirect limited budgets from equipment purchases toward transportation, nutrition, staffing, and program expansion.

“Partnering with Subaru in celebration of the global soccer heading to Philadelphia greatly amplifies our mission, to expand access and equity within the realm of youth sports,” said Kaitlin Brennan, Chief Operating Officer of Leveling the Playing Field. “This effort provides children with the opportunity to get involved with sports at a young age, granting the chance to experience the holistic benefits of youth sports on their physical, mental, and emotional health.”

Philadelphia Parks & Recreation manages nearly 10,200 acres of public land and waterways plus 500 recreation buildings, providing the public infrastructure where much of this equipment will be used. Commissioner Susan Slawson noted the initiative aligns with the city’s preparation for hosting major soccer events in 2026.

Community Engagement Through Donation Sweepstakes

To encourage community participation, Subaru created a sweepstakes tied to equipment donations. Legal U.S. residents age 18 and older living within a 75-mile radius of Subaru Park can enter for a chance to win prizes including a trip to the 2026 MLS All-Star Weekend. The sweepstakes runs concurrent with the collection period through April 3, 2026.

The initiative launched on the same day as draw announcements for soccer events coming to Philadelphia in 2026, timing designed to leverage heightened interest in the sport. Charlie Slonaker, Chief Revenue Officer of the Philadelphia Union, connected the equipment access initiative to broader participation goals.

“The Subaru: Gear for Good initiative helps remove equipment barriers, so access is determined by passion, not resources,” Slonaker said. “With the excitement of 2026 coming to Philadelphia, we’re proud to work with Subaru of America and Leveling the Playing Field to expand opportunities for youth across the area and help continue to grow the game.”

Strategic Context for Corporate Youth Sports Investment

The initiative represents Subaru’s approach to community engagement in a region where it maintains significant retail and branding presence. The company operates through approximately 640 retailers nationwide and manufactures vehicles in zero-landfill plants. Over the past 20 years, Subaru of America and its foundation have donated more than $340 million to causes aligned with company values, with employees logging over 115,000 volunteer hours.

For the Philadelphia Union, the program extends the club’s youth development focus. The Union has signed 25 academy prospects to homegrown player contracts and operates Philadelphia Union II, the Academy, Foundation, and Youth Programs under parent company Union Sports and Entertainment LLC. The club’s waterfront campus in Chester includes a training complex and over seven acres of professional-grade practice pitches, with a newly announced WSFS Bank Sportsplex featuring an indoor fieldhouse and seven outdoor fields.

The timing ahead of 2026 positions the initiative to capitalize on increased soccer interest while addressing equipment access barriers that limit youth participation. By distributing gear through established community programs and municipal recreation systems, the partnership aims to reach families who face cost barriers to sports participation.

Community members interested in donating equipment or learning about sweepstakes eligibility can find details at philadelphiaunion.com/SubaruGearforGood.

via: Subaru of America, Inc.

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