Because every kid deserves a chance to get in the game.

Why I Started PlayFundr.

Hi, my name is Matthew. I’m a 14-year-old high school freshman and lifelong soccer player whose love for the game has shaped who I am. Soccer has taught me resilience, teamwork, and discipline, while giving me lifelong friendships that feel like family. But along the way, I saw friends and teammates forced to step away from the sport they loved because their families could no longer afford the rising costs to play.

Determined to make a difference, I decided to create Playfundr, a student-led initiative that gives unused sports gear new life by reselling it and using the proceeds to create micro-grants for K-12th grade youth, giving them a chance to play the sport they love. We collect quality used and new sports gear—stuff sitting in closets, tucked under beds, or boxed away in garages, and give it a second life. We resell the gear at affordable prices, making it accessible to all athletes in the community, while also reducing waste. Then, we use those funds to provide micro-grants to kids who need help covering costs like team fees, uniforms, and equipment. My vision is simple: to make sure every child has the opportunity to play, grow, and belong through sports.

Through Playfundr, I hope to repurpose hundreds of pieces of gear and provide dozens of micro-grants each year, opening doors for kids who might otherwise be left out of the game they love. Playing sports builds confidence, create friendships, and open doors to opportunities kids might not find anywhere else. I know how much soccer has shaped me, and I want more kids to have that same chance.

Playfundr couldn’t grow without the help of generous donors, volunteers, family, neighbors, coaches, and teammates. Thank you for helping support our mission.

I’m just a high school kid starting small, but with the support of the community, I believe Playfundr can grow into something more. This is about giving kids the chance to play, grow, and belong. Every kid deserves that shot.

Follow along at @playfundr on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok and help us make it happen.