How the Philadelphia Union Foundation is building stronger communities through the power of soccer.
“Some people work to live, some people live to work,” says Philadelphia Union Foundation’s Executive Director Alyssa Radu. “I live to make an impact.” As head of the Foundation which acts as the charitable arm of the Philadelphia Union, a Major League Soccer (MLS) team, Radu leads with this conviction every day. While connected to the Union by name, the Foundation operates as an independent nonprofit driven by a mission to “create positive change in underserved communities through the power of soccer.”
Radu’s journey of selfless leadership began on the soccer field. As a student-athlete at Rutgers University, she dreamed of becoming a sports journalist and one day working for ESPN. After graduating in May of 2001, she was set to interview in New York City on September 10th of that year. The events of the next day changed the world, which dramatically pivoted her career trajectory. Over the next decade, Radu took on roles with the Department of Defense, spent years as a collegiate soccer coach, and even launched her own company, 1 MINDSET, dedicated to mentoring young athletes.
Her deeply rooted passion for coaching and impact eventually led her to the Union Foundation in 2023, where she began overseeing programs and development. In November 2024, she stepped into the role of Executive Director, combining her business savvy and coach’s mindset—one focused on teamwork, growth, and resilience.
The Union Foundation, founded in 2011, began primarily as a fundraising and grant-making organization which supported local initiatives, giving money to aligned programs. Since 2019, it has transformed into a hub for its own innovation and is defined by four core projects:
- iAM project – A program that supports motivated high school students from low-income backgrounds, helping them to maximize their personal, academic, and professional potential.
- HeadFirst – A groundbreaking initiative that prepares young athletes mentally—not just physically—by building proactive mental fitness habits through the sport they love.
- Chester Soccer – A community-centered soccer club committed to empowering young athletes to create a positive impact on the lives of players, their families, and the broader Chester community.
- Safe Spaces – A program that builds state-of-the-art mini pitches and standout fields around the city of Philadelphia, creating safe environments to promote healthier lifestyles and more active youth.
As the Executive Director of the Foundation, Radu firmly believes that partnership and teamwork are at the heart of success. “Soccer is our magnet,” she explains, “but our mission is to serve the underserved.” The Foundation leverages their connection with the Philadelphia Union soccer team to attract local and international partners to join in the life-changing work they are doing. However, Radu emphasizes that the Foundation is unwaveringly committed to the community of Chester and the greater Philadelphia area. Every partnership is strategically and thoughtfully considered to stay true to this vision.
Radu explains that the foundation focuses on building meaningful partnerships with donors, schools, and other organizations by aligning their passions with its mission to “create positive change in underserved communities through the power of soccer.” Allowing these relationships to develop naturally around shared goals, rather than forced alignment, has created stronger, more lasting relationships that benefit those the Foundation serves.
Radu is currently the only full-time staff member, supported by interns, contractors, and the Foundation’s working board. The board plays a key role, not only in governance but in building out initiatives, connecting the Foundation to expertise, and ensuring that the programs remain sustainable. Together, this team views the current moment as an opportunity to strengthen infrastructure and sharpen focus, stating that, “Our goal is to do what we do better, not simply do more.”
This is a remarkable statement considering the impact the Foundation has already had on the community and beyond. To give you a snapshot of the extent of the Foundation’s reach, they have reached over 2,000 players through the Chester Soccer initiative and currently have 369 registered players in the Chester Union Soccer Club. Along with this, the Foundation has touched 30,000 players, parents, and coaches through their HeadFirst program, giving them the tools to build mental fitness habits to ensure that “no story is ignored, and no mind is left behind.” The Foundation has also hosted two annual Mental Fitness Forum events which exist to “bring together the soccer community, mental health professionals, and inspirational speakers to raise awareness and kick the stigma surrounding mental health in sports.” Furthermore, through the iAM project, which helps high school students from low-income backgrounds overcome the effects of socio-economic inequality, over 1,000 students have been supported—with 100% of them graduating or on track toward college or apprenticeship.
As they continue to expand their impact, Radu is focused on building structure, staffing, and sustainability so that these programs can reach many kids for years to come. She highlights the need for additional human resources to support this growth but emphasizes that it is vital for staff members to align with the Foundation’s mission to serve the underserved and prioritize local impact. “We have a platform that’s unique,” she reflects. “The sky is the limit, but we have to stay true to the communities we serve.”
An ancient African proverb states, “If you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together.” The Union Foundation exemplifies this truth: by staying rooted in its mission, valuing meaningful partnerships, and focusing on the communities it serves, it has become a force for good, changing lives through the power of soccer.
