Our Story
The Goalgetters Foundation is a grantmaking nonprofit dedicated to strengthening grassroots soccer across the Metro Atlanta region. We support community-based soccer programs, particularly those serving underserved communities, by providing funding, fostering collaboration, and offering capacity-building support. Our work is focused on building a more connected, sustainable, and well-resourced ecosystem of grassroots soccer that can drive lasting positive change throughout Atlanta.
Beyond direct program support, the Goalgetters Foundation is committed to preserving and elevating Georgia’s rich and often overlooked soccer history. We believe the story of the game matters, both where it is going and where it has been, and that honoring that history helps inspire the next generation of players, coaches, and community leaders.
The Foundation is formed in part to honor the legacy of the late Dick Cecil, a key executive of the Atlanta Chiefs, the city’s first professional sports franchise to win a championship. In the 1960s, the Chiefs’ Goalgetters booster program helped grow the sport of soccer across Georgia by building community engagement, expanding access, and cultivating long-term support for the game. That legacy is evident today in the widespread participation in soccer at all levels and the passionate support for Atlanta’s modern professional soccer landscape.
The Goalgetters Foundation exists to carry that legacy forward. We invest in people, programs, and history to ensure soccer continues to be a force for opportunity, connection, and community across Atlanta.
Meet the Board
President and Treasurer
Will Cecil
Will Cecil is an Atlanta local and avid soccer fan. Prior to moving back to Atlanta in 2023, he had a career in marine conservation and environmental policy, working for the State of California and the University of Hawai'i. He currently works at Emory University.
Secretary
Jason Longshore
Jason Longshore is a prominent voice in American soccer, serving as the color analyst for Atlanta United’s radio broadcasts. He is also the host of Atlanta Soccer Tonight on 92.9 The Game radio and founder of Soccer Down Here, a soccer network launched in 2017. He has dedicated his career to growing the game and its impact on communities.
Assistant Secretary
Pam Cecil
Pam Cecil was Vice President of Cecil & Associates for forty years, working closely with Dick Cecil on sports and entertainment event management. Before moving to Atlanta, she worked in government and politics in Washington, DC. She has served on several non-profit boards including the Georgia School Age Childcare Association and the Georgia Council on Child Abuse.
Our Mission
The Goalgetters Foundation’s mission is to build a robust community soccer ecosystem in Metro Atlanta that can drive lasting positive change. We plan to achieve this by supporting community-based soccer programs by:
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providing financial grants, mentoring, and capacity-building support;
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fostering collaboration among community-based programs; and
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Enabling connections between these programs and other organizations who may provide additional support.
Our Vision
Goalgetters will help soccer become a catalyst for positive change in the Atlanta area. Our vision is a thriving soccer community in Atlanta and beyond that is accessible and inclusive, linking communities and cementing Atlanta's place in the global game.