Fans can vote once daily through August 30 to support Racheal Kundananji’s work with Oakland-based nonprofit Soccer Without Borders
San Francisco (August 15, 2025) – Bay FC, the professional women’s soccer team representing the Bay Area in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), announced today that fans can now vote in the Fan Impact Challenge for Racheal Kundananji – Bay FC’s nominee for the 2025 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide – supporting her community service and global impact off-the-pitch. Fans are invited to show support for Kundananji through the Fan Impact Challenge starting today, August 15, by visiting BayFC.com, and are encouraged to vote daily through August 30.
Through the nomination, Kundananji chose Oakland-based nonprofit Soccer Without Borders, which removes obstacles to sports participation by offering free programs, transportation, and equipment, as her beneficiary for the award recognition. Kundananji’s work with Soccer Without Borders expands on her recently established “Racheal Kundananji Legacy Foundation,” aiming to empower girls in Zambia and around the world through soccer and sports.
As part of her nomination, Nationwide has donated $5,000 towards Soccer Without Borders. The nominee with the most votes will be announced as the winner of the Fan Impact Challenge, and the charitable organization of that player’s choice will receive an additional $10,000 donation from Nationwide. Only one vote per day per device will be counted.
“Being a professional athlete is both an honor and a privilege—something that comes with the responsibility to give back to our diverse communities by inspiring future soccer stars,” said Kundananji. “Soccer will continue to uplift young girls from the Bay Area to Zambia, which is why organizations like Soccer Without Borders are so important. I’m committed to continuing this work and partnering with others in the Bay Area to create meaningful change.”
Beyond the pitch, Kundananji has used her platform and foundation to connect with and lead programs across the Bay Area and Zambia to benefit underprivileged girls’ soccer players and youth, including:
- Collaborating with international organizations UNAIDS and UNESCO to host free soccer events, advancing access to the game in underprivileged communities
- Partnering with government officials to support the promotion of equitable governance, the ending of unethical practices, and promotion of girls’ education in Zambia
- Partnering with NOWSPAR Women in Sport to put on a gender and safeguarding workshop, advocating for women’s rights and an inclusive and safe sports environment for female athletes
In 2024, Kundananji was appointed as a UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and support bridging the gap between global awareness and local action. Earlier this year, she was recognized locally, being named one of 2025’s Most Inspiring Women of the Bay Area by the San Francisco Examiner and Nob Hill Gazette for her important work furthering access to sport, HIV/AIDS awareness, and being a positive role model to young women and girls.
Soccer Without Borders
Kundananji has selected Soccer Without Borders as her local community partner organization. Soccer Without Borders, whose mission is similar to her global Foundation’s mission, will be recognized on the pitch at PayPal Park at Bay FC’s home match on Saturday, August 16 and will partner with Kundananji and Bay FC on future community programming for Bay Area youth. Based in Oakland and founded in 2006, Soccer Without Borders works to eliminate the obstacles that keep underserved youth from participating in sports – free of charge, transportation provided, and all the necessary equipment supplied.
“Racheal Kundananji and Bay FC’s partnership has made a huge impact on our middle school girls’ programming,” said Soccer Without Borders Program Coordinator Mariyam Muhammad. “Having the chance to connect face-to-face with a player of her caliber shows our girls that anything is possible, no matter their background. They are huge fans of Racheal and the team, and the jersey they created together represents their team culture of friendship, sportsmanship, and the rich diversity of the Bay Area. They had so much fun working with her and then seeing her bring that same passion and skill to the pitch.”
Design FC
Design FC is a youth design non-profit building a creative movement for impact in the worlds of sport and design. Through various design programs and initiatives, Design FC provides youth with life changing creative experiences, opportunities, and access, while giving them a platform to creatively express who they are.
“Design FC was established to provide youth with an opportunity to creatively express who they are, and give them the biggest possible platform to do so,” said Design FC Founder and Executive Director Omri Gal. “Our goal is to provide our students with life changing creative opportunities that open their eyes to their creative talents and expose them to the various creative careers around them. We’re extremely excited to be working with Bay FC to bring our Jersey Project Initiative to the Bay Area and provide Soccer Without Borders with brand new uniforms. These jerseys were designed entirely by the Soccer Without Borders youth players and Racheal and visually represent who they are and what means most to them as a team.”
Bay FC vs. San Diego Wave
Kundananji and Bay FC will be back this Saturday as the San Diego Wave visit PayPal Park. The first 3,000 fans through the gates will get an exclusive Bay FC Pennant. Attendees can also join in celebrating Kundananji and the Soccer Without Borders middle school girls’ team during halftime, highlighting the partnership between Bay FC and Soccer Without Borders. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. PT, and tickets are available at BayFC.com/tickets.
For more information on Racheal Kundananji, Soccer Without Borders, and the Lauren Holiday Impact Award, click here.
Lauren Holiday Impact Award
The Lauren Holiday Impact Award presented by Nationwide shines light on players who are making a difference in their communities and honors the ongoing example of excellence and commitment set by the two-time Olympic gold medalist, FIFA Women’s World Cup champion, National Soccer Hall of Fame inductee, and recipient of the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian ESPY Award.
At the end of the season, one nominee chosen by a panel consisting of Lauren Holiday and representatives from Nationwide, the NWSL, NWSL Players Association and NWSL Media Association, will be named the winner of the 2025 Lauren Holiday Impact Award, presented by Nationwide. The winner of the award will be announced the week of the 2025 NWSL Championship, presented by Google Pixel. At that time, Nationwide will make a $50,000 donation to the charity of the winner’s choice.
Please note: Message and data rates may apply if fans choose to vote using their mobile device. Votes generated by script, macro, or other automated means, or with the intent to affect the integrity of the voting process will be void.
About Bay Football Club
Bay Football Club (Bay FC) is the new women’s professional soccer franchise representing the Bay Area and the 14th team to join the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). Bay FC was established in April 2023 and co-founded by USWNT legends Brandi Chastain, Leslie Osborne, Danielle Slaton, and Aly Wagner in partnership with global investment firm Sixth Street and an investor group of leading tech, business and sports executives. Sixth Street’s investment is the largest institutional investment to date in a women’s professional sports franchise. Bay FC is changing the face of women’s soccer as we know it. Beginning play in the 2024 season, we are building a squad that will play the beautiful game with power, passion, energy, and creativity. Tickets are now on sale for Bay FC at https://bayfc.com and fans can follow Bay FC’s social channels (@wearebayfc) for the latest news, merchandise, and events.
