Poet-Athlete Impact Fund

DC SCORES provides free, high-quality afterschool programming to young people across the District. For the first time in fifteen years, some kids don't have a program to come back to.

A gift of $1,400 funds one full year of programming for one poet-athlete — a coach, a team, a stage, and a safe place to be after school. Help us protect it.

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Letter from Our Executive Director

For the first time in fifteen years, some of our poet-athletes won't have a program to come back to this fall.

Our fundraising hasn't kept pace with rising costs and a challenging environment for nonprofits across the country. We've had to make the difficult decision to cut and pause programming at some schools. But I know that together, as a community, we can get back on track.

The Poet-Athlete Impact Fund is how we do that. Every dollar raised goes directly toward protecting free DC SCORES programming for the young people we serve.

Will you help protect a poet-athlete's spot this school year?

Read the Open Letter from our Executive Director

Poet-Athlete City

DC SCORES was born in the District. For more than 30 years, we have helped young people build strong, supportive communities through our award-winning after-school soccer, poetry, and service learning programs. The long-term vision is Poet-Athlete City — bringing DC SCORES to every Title I public elementary and middle school in D.C. by 2030.

Today, DC SCORES serves 70% of Title I schools in the District. This year, that progress has taken a step back. For the first time in fifteen years, we've had to pause programming at some schools, and getting back on track toward Poet-Athlete City starts with protecting what we have.

By giving to the Poet-Athlete Impact Fund, you're not only protecting a poet-athlete's spot this school year — you're helping ensure that DC SCORES remains in the schools and communities that need it most, and that Poet-Athlete City stays within reach.

Learn More About Poet-Athlete City

Protect the Arts

Kayla Nelson 2026 Youth Poet Laureate

Kayla found her voice at a DC SCORES Poetry Slam at 11 years old, and this year, she was named the 2026 D.C. Youth Poet Laureate.

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Protect the Team

Nawaf, LaSalle-Backus Elementary School

Nawaf joined DC SCORES to carry on his father's love of soccer, and he found a team that shows up for him every day.

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Protect Mentorship

Coach Schroeder and Ruth, Ida B. Wells Middle School

In her 10th year as a DC SCORES coach and science teacher, Coach Schroeder has watched Ruth grow from a hesitant third grader into a Capital Cup MVP.

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FAQ

What does my $1,400 fund?

Every dollar of your gift goes directly toward one full year of free DC SCORES programming for one poet-athlete:

  • Coaching and mentorship: A trained soccer coach and writing coach — school staff who show up five days a week at practice, game days, and events.
  • Soccer and equipment: A full uniform kit, soccer equipment, and weekly practices and game days against DC SCORES schools across the District.
  • Poetry and creative writing: A poetry journal and a professional poetry specialist to write and perform original poems, building toward the citywide Poetry Slam.
  • Service learning: In the spring, poet-athletes turn their poetry into community action — designing and leading neighborhood service projects.
  • Transportation: Buses to game days, Fall Frenzy, Jamboree, the Poetry Slam, and D.C. United and Washington Spirit games.

What DC SCORES programs have been paused this calendar year (2026-2027)?

This school year, DC SCORES has had to pause programming entirely at 9 schools and reduce our Junior SCORES program at 20 additional schools due to budget constraints.

Schools Pausing Entirely
Boone ES, Bunker Hill ES, Cardozo Education Campus, John Lewis Education Campus, KIPP DC: AIM Academy, KIPP DC: Key Academy, Langley ES, McKinley Tech MS, and Meridian Public Charter School.

Schools Losing Junior SCORES Only
Amidon-Bowen ES, Bancroft ES, Beers ES, Burrville ES, Drew ES, Houston ES, John Francis Education Campus, Ketcham ES, Kimball ES, Leckie Education Campus, Malcolm X ES, Powell ES, Stanton ES, Thomas ES, Thomson ES, Trinidad Recreation Center, Truesdell ES, Tubman ES, Whitlock ES, and Whittier ES.

For questions or more information, please reach out to us at [email protected].

Can I donate from a Donor Advised Fund (DAF)?

Yes! DC SCORES accepts gifts from Donor Advised Funds. You can make a DAF gift directly from our donation portal.

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