When Common Goal launched the idea was that everyone would give the same: 1%.  

1% may seem like a small figure, but it can make a big difference. If the entire football community pledged just 1% of its collective income then the change that could be created in communities is monumental.  

Football is at the heart of everything we do because the joy of the beautiful game has the potential to change hundreds of millions of lives, on the pitch and off it.  

Football has shown itself to be one of the most impactful social phenomena in the world and we believe we can harness that power to drive real and lasting change.  

Your pledge is calculated based on your annual salary if you are an individual or net revenues if you are a business.  

Private individual example: if you earned an annual (pre tax) salary EUR 50,000 in 2024 and pledged 1% to Common Goal, you would donate EUR 500 to Common Goal in 2025. 

Business example: If your company generated net revenues of EUR 2 million in 2024 and pledged 1% to Common Goal, you would donate EUR 20,000 to Common Goal in 2025.*

* For businesses with annual revenue under EUR 100,000, we request a minimum donation of EUR 1,000.

Where possible, pledge donations to Common Goal are facilitated through partner foundations that are part of the Transnational Giving Europe network. This allows our members to donate to Common Goal while still obtaining the tax advantages provided for in the legislation of their country of residence.

As it stands, income tax deductible pledge donations are possible from the following countries: 

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Great Britain, Canada and the United States.

Our team is currently working on establishing partnerships with community foundations in Latin America, Asia and Australia. For these regions we expect to be able to offer tax deductible donations shortly.

All organisations supported through Common Goal are part of our Community network. Common Goal continually assesses NGOs from the field of football for good and grants network membership to the best in class. Membership in the Community network is free, although non-member organisations can also receive support from Common Goal provided they meet the same quality criteria. You can view the full eligibility criteria and quality standards here. 

No. The pledge is based on an Informal agreement between you and Common Goal. While we expect you to honour our agreement, there is no legal obligation for you to do so. You’re free to walk away at any time. No questions asked.

90% of your donations will go directly to the cause (the projects you select as beneficiaries of your pledge). The remainder is used to cover operating expenses related to: (1) enabling tax-effective cross-border donations (performed by our partner Transnational Giving Europe) and (2) sourcing, vetting and evaluating football-based NGOs.

Yes, absolutely. You’re entitled to Common Goal membership if your pledge comes via your foundation.

Your membership with Common Goal becomes official once we receive your first annual donation and will remain active for as long as you continue to honour the pledge. If you decide Common Goal isn’t for you, you’re welcome to walk away at any stage along the journey.

Common Goal is a global network that activates the power of football to bring people together and deliver positive, society-wide change.  

We’re a football-focused network that connects the cultural and financial influence of the industry with local organisations dismantling inequality and building a better future for all.  

If there’s anything else you’d like to know about Common Goal, then please get in touch with us - we love to hear from you!

Common Goal identifies and collaborates with a global network of vetted sport for development organisations, providing young people with life-changing opportunities.  

We work to connect players, brands, clubs, and the whole world of football with these local organisations dismantling inequality. 

Our ultimate goal is to drive systemic change through football and create an even playing field for all.  

Juan Mata was the first professional football player to join Common Goal back in 2017, he is one of our co-founders, and is a member of our advisory board.  

Juan is an engaged member who has shown a commitment to social change through football and we love that he’s been such an integral part of Common Goal.

We encourage everyone to get involved! From players, to brands, to fans, there’s a way that you can help drive change through football.