Shift_Ed in Greensboro awarded $250K FIFA grant for education initiatives

July 17, 2026 - 21:27

A Greensboro-based nonprofit focused on using soccer for social change has received a major financial boost. Shift_Ed was awarded a $250,000 grant from the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. The fund is part of a larger initiative that aims to raise $100 million by the time the 2026 World Cup Final takes place.

Shift_Ed works with local youth, combining soccer with educational programming to address issues like literacy, leadership, and community engagement. The grant money will be used to expand these efforts, reaching more students across the Piedmont Triad area. Organizers say the funding will allow them to hire additional coaches, develop new curriculum materials, and offer more after-school sessions.

The FIFA fund specifically targets projects that use the global appeal of soccer to drive education and social impact. Shift_Ed was chosen from a competitive pool of applicants. Leaders of the nonprofit expressed gratitude for the recognition, noting that the award validates their model of using sport as a tool for learning. They expect the expanded programs to begin rolling out within the next few months, with a focus on underserved neighborhoods.