When a ball isn’t enough
>10 — lack of public pitches
Less than 10 public, FIFA-standard pitches exist nationwide, forcing youth into expensive private field rentals.
₱150K — high participation costs
Total annual player costs often exceed ₱150,000 — including equipment, team and tournament fees, and transportation — creating a massive barrier for talented youth from lower income families.
20KM — long travel distances
Players and their families often travel 20 kilometers or more each way to participate in training and tournaments.
>25 — few football-focused ngo’s
Only an estimated 10-25 non profit organizations nationwide actively provide football scholarships or subsidized football access.
Who We Are
Our Story
Some kids are born with a silver spoon. Maddy was born with a football.
He was practicing his footwork in the womb during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil — we’re pretty sure he was trying to bicycle-kick his way out to catch the final! By the time he could stand, walking wasn’t the point. Dribbling was.
When our family traded Chicago for Manila, we were scouting for a local club before we’d even unpacked. But the beautiful game looked different here. Back home, you find a patch of grass and play. In the Philippines, we saw kids with real talent stuck on the sidelines — blocked by gated pitches, steep fees, and equipment they couldn’t afford.
Stepping away from our corporate careers, my wife and I wanted our next chapter to mean something — and to show Maddy what it looks like to lead with heart. We realized that the time to build something meaningful is now. That’s how Kapatid was born.
We believe every child deserves a shot — not just at football, but at everything the game can open up. Our mission is simple: unlock the gates to opportunity, both on and off the pitch, for aspiring young footballers across the Philippines. That means funding elite coaching, removing financial barriers, and building mentorship programs that sharpen the life skills kids will carry long after the final whistle.
Football gave Maddy a head start. Kapatid exists to make sure every child in the Philippines gets one too.
Our Team
Mitch Gross
Chief Executive Officer
Retired IT Services CEO and Accenture MD, Angel Investor, and lifelong football fan
Vilena Gross
Chief Operating Officer
Retired IT Services COO and Accenture MD, proud Chinese-Filipina, and dedicated football mom
Maddy “MadDog” Gross
Chief Inspiration Officer
Middle Schooler, lifelong footballer, and loyal CR7 fan
Key Programs
Kapatid Fellows
Our flagship program providing nutritional and transportation subsidies, tournament grants, and club and development scholarships to remove financial barriers for deserving youth footballers.
Donation Drives
Distributing essential equipment, footwear, and quality footballs to underserved communities to ensure every aspiring footballer has the tools to play.
Training Clinics
Organizing community-based sessions focused on growing the sport and giving back to local barangays, fostering a love for the game at the grassroots level.
Mentorship
Fostering character through guidance from seasoned professionals, focusing on leadership, integrity, and the life skills required for long-term success.
In Action
We’re just getting started!
Check back soon for photos from our first event coming up in Q4!