Increasing Physical Activity

Mercedes-Benz USA

2016 Progress Report

Year Committed: 2014

Length of Commitment: 3 years

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MBUSA will invest $10.5 million over three years to provide grants to Laureus USA, which helps identify, train, place and support sport-based youth development coaches and organizations nationwide.

Verified Results

Implementation Date
December 2016
Reporting Date
February 2017

Commitment Element
Invest $10.5 million over the next three years in Laureus USA.
Progress To Date

In 2016, Mercedes-Benz USA invested $2.8 million in Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA (Laureus USA). To date, Mercedes-Benz USA has invested $9.8 million in Laureus USA. It has made 93% progress towards meeting this commitment element.
Implementation Date
December 2016
Reporting Date
February 2017

Commitment Element
Provide grants to organizations that will train and place over 1,000 coaches in order to reach 150,000 youth in at least 20 metropolitan areas.
Progress To Date

With part of Mercedes-Benz USA's investment in Laureus USA, Laureus USA provided $3.75 million in grants in 2016 ($8.25 million to date) to two organizations to train and place coaches in underserved communities to support sport-based youth development. To date, the two organizations have trained 2,746 coaches and placed 1,192 coaches, achieving its goal to place 1,000 coaches. The coaches have been placed in 108 cities in 22 states and the District of Columbia, thus meeting its goal to place coaches in at least 20 metropolitan areas. Laureus estimated these coaches reached 296,570 youth, exceeding its goal to reach at 150,000 youth.
Implementation Date
December 2016
Reporting Date
February 2017

Commitment Element
Encourage all organizations receiving grants to align with PHA’s Seven Essential Practices for Kid’s Physical Activity Programs.
Progress To Date

Laureus USA sends information about PHA's Seven Essential Practices for Kid’s Physical Activity Programs to all organizations that receive a grant from Laureus USA. It has also integrated the Seven Essential Practices for Kid's Physical Activity Programs into its evaluation requirements for New Orleans-area organizations.
Implementation Date
December 2016
Reporting Date
February 2017

Commitment Element
Of the $10.5 million investment, invest over $900,000 directly in local New Orleans-area organizations that deliver Sport for Development programs.
Progress To Date

With part of Mercedes-Benz USA's investment in Laureus USA, Laureus USA provided $403,340 in grants to 7 New Orleans-area organizations in 2016 to deliver sport for development programs to youth and for training, capacity building, and events to support New Orleans partners. To date, it has provided $900,000 in grants these organizations, achieving 100% of its goal. The New Orleans-area organizations have served an estimated 55,059 youth to date.
Implementation Date
December 2016
Reporting Date
February 2017

Commitment Element
Laureus USA and delivery partners such as Aqumen Social Technologies, Greater New Orleans Foundation and Partnership for Youth Development will provide technical assistance and professional development to grantee organizations, including: • Hosting at least 15 training workshops for Sport for Development professionals over three years. • Implementing the inFocus monitoring and evaluation system within at least 10 grantee organizations that deliver Sport for Development programs.
Progress To Date

In 2016, Laureus USA worked with three delivery partners to host five training workshops for sport development professionals that were attended by staff from grantee organizations. A total of 34 individuals were trained at workshops in 2016, bringing the total number of individuals trained since 2014 to 75 people. To date, Laureus USA has worked with 8 partners to host 18 training workshops, exceeding its goal to host at least 15 training workshops. To date, inFocus has provided one-on-one consultancy and tailored social impact measurement support to 11 Laureus partners in the New Orleans area. It has achieved its goal to implement the inFocus monitoring and evaluation system in at least 10 grantee organizations that deliver sport for development programs.

Partner Statement

“Laureus USA, in partnership with Mercedes-Benz USA, has invested $8.25 million to train and place coaches in underserved communities where youth-based sports programming is lacking. In 2016, Mercedes-Benz USA invested $2.8 million in Laureus Sport for Good Foundation USA (Laureus USA) and will exceed the agreed $10.5 million investment by the end of 2017. Since 2014, working with Up2Us Sports and Playworks, with an eye toward providing a safe and engaging afterschool environment for at-risk youth, 2,746 coaches have been trained and 1,192 coaches have been placed in 109 cities in 23 states. These coaches have reached 296,570 youth. MBUSA’s investment in Laureus USA has also provided over $900,000 in grants and services to 10+ New Orleans youth-based sports programming organizations. These organizations have collectively reached over 55,000 youth since 2015, fostering improvements in health, education, and community cohesion. Additionally, 20 capacity building trainings for New Orleans non-profits have been implemented for these organizations. Following the relocation of MBUSA headquarters to Atlanta, Laureus launched Laureus Sport for Good Atlanta which will provide three-year grants to youth-based sports programming organizations operating in the Atlanta’s Westside community.”