Get Involved
Partners are critical to helping UI support brighter futures for kids in Chicago through sport and play. Learn how to sponsor an event, volunteer your time, sign up to join one of our boards, or make a donation today.
We Host the Best Events In Town
January 30, 2026
20th Anniversary Soccer Ball
Rockwell on the River
Join Urban Initiatives and 800 of their supporters Rockwell on the River to celebrate 20 years of Soccer Ball! This gala includes a sponsored bar, Lettuce Entertain You food stations, silent auction, dancing, and more!
May 28, 2026
4th Annual Trader’s Poker Tournament
110 N. Wacker Drive, Chicago, IL
Join Chicago’s generous trading community as they come together to raise funds for Urban Initiatives free and accessible sports programs. Tournament sponsors receive player/spectator tickets, sponsored bar, and Gibson’s dinner.
May 30, 2026
14th Annual Community Play Cup
Midway Plaisance, Chicago, IL
Over 2,000 Urban Initiatives players, coaches and families come together to celebrate this annual culmination event for UI programs. Students participate in soccer scrimmages, team-building activities, and craft stations. You can sponsor or volunteer at this event!
July 18, 2026
10th Annual Corporate Challenge Cup
TBD, Chicago, IL
Chicago’s corporate community comes together for a day of fun, healthy competition! Join 20 other Chicago companies who compete in an adult soccer tournament. Sponsorship includes lunch, team t-shirts, and beer.
There Are Many Different Ways to Join Our Mission
Our work is anchored in a healing-centered approach guided by research that says youth who make meaningful connections with peers and adults and build social-emotional skills will be better positioned to excel in school and beyond.
We need your help to strengthen Chicago’s future by building an enduring team of youth, coaches, families, schools, and neighborhoods.
Volunteer Sign-up
We Need a Lot of People to Do This Important Work
Experience the joy of sport & and play and make impact with us.
Whether it’s game days, summer camps, special events, or other exciting activities, your involvement matters. Submit an interest form today and be part of our an incredible volunteer team shaping memorable experiences for Chicago’s youth and family.
Drive Positive Change
Your gift will allow us to sustain our work and make an even greater impact on kids in need. 87% of every dollar donated goes directly to our programs. All donations to Urban Initiatives are tax-deductible.
Social-emotional learning (SEL) in action fuels healthy youth development
Play is the ideal vehicle for teaching SEL, which UI does all year long
We are growing to meet the demands of the moment and Chicago’s future
We foster school improvement, providing educators with SEL-focused strategies
Support Local Schools
Your donations empower Chicago’s youth to achieve academic success, develop social-emotional skills, and build social capital. Each gift will allow us to sustain our work and make an even greater impact on kids in need.
Accelerate Growth
When we watch young people play, we see social-emotional learning in action. Sport and play, however. are becoming the privilege of the wealthy few. UI’s Accelerator Campaign is helping us rally resources to move the needle on sports-based SEL like never before.
Give your time
What is Our Associate Board?
Invest in quality coaches
Invest in quality coaches
Invest in quality coaches
Invest in quality coaches
Invest in quality coaches
Enlist support from diverse networks of families, schools, and community members
Enlist support from diverse networks of families, schools, and community members
Develop social-emotional learning through play
Develop social-emotional learning through play
Develop social-emotional learning through play
Use our network to help students build social capital
Use our network to help students build social capital
Use our network to help students build social capital
Career Opportunities
Come Work at Urban Initiatives
Are you looking for a career at a mission-driven organization? We work hard to encourage everyone at Urban Initiatives to bring their whole selves to work every day. Come be part of a winning team.
Get in Touch
Want More Information?
Our team is happy to answer any questions you might have.