Mission
The Quakes Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to fostering positive initiatives for communities drawing from the Quakes’ passion for health and fitness. It focuses on aiding underserved communities who live in the Bay Area of California.
Initiatives
Pledge 74 has been committed to helping food insecurity since 1974 in the San Jose and Bay region. It pledges $740,000 in total giving, 740 hours of service from Quakes players, staff, and fans, 7.4% of advertising purchases allocated to food insecurity awareness, education, and involvement, and more.
Get EQ Fit
The Get Earthquakes Fit program provides healthy activities and workouts led by players of the Quakes to encourage better physical and mental health.
VHP Free Play This program is a partnership between the Quakes and Valley Health Plan that hosts Free Play days for kids. These days are for kids to play soccer with no pressure and to encourage staying active.
Teacher Appreciation Platform
Every month, a different teacher is honored by the Quakes in a special way to show appreciation for all that teachers do. Every month, one teacher from Santa Clara, Alameda, or Contra Costa county is selected by the Quakes and CEFCU and is honored on the field during the Quakes pregame coin toss.
Kicks for Kids
Kicks for Kids gives tickets to Quakes games for underserved kids in the Bay Area. By providing these tickets, kids can see the possibilities of pursuing a career in soccer if they work hard.
Who does the organization work with?
Pledge 74 has several local allies, such as AACSA (African American Community Services Agency), Alum Rock District Child Nutrition Services, Hunger at Home, Martha’s Kitchen, NAACP Silicon Valley, Second Harvest Food Bank, United Farm Workers, and YMCA of Silicon Valley. Some of its supporting partners include Akita Gourmet, Arteagas, El Jimador Tequila, San Jose Ultras, Spectra, Sutter Health, TacoMania, and West Valley College Men’s Soccer.
The Quakes’ sponsors include Sutter Health, Audi, Intermedia Cloud Communications, PayPal, Verizon, and Valley Health Plan.
COVID-19 adaptations
Because of COVID-19, the Quakes Foundation has had to adapt and has moved many events to a virtual setting to stay as safe as possible, such as the Get EQ Fit and VHP Free Play programs. Get EQ Fit now provides videos, challenges, and progress charts online and VHP Free Play now offers virtual sessions with Quakes midfielder Tommy Thompson.
How can you donate to the Quakes Foundation?
You can donate to the Quakes Foundation by emailing Audie Amirkiai at aamirkiai@sjearthquakes.com
