It is easy to hate Club América. If you grew up watching Liga MX, you know the drill. They have the most money, the biggest stadium, and that "Odiame Más" (Hate me more) slogan that basically begs for a rivalry. But there is a side to this massive institution that doesn't involve the VAR controversies or the multimillion-dollar transfers. It’s called Grandes de Corazón Club América. Honestly, it's the one part of the club that even Chivas fans have a hard time complaining about.
Football is usually just a game. 90 minutes. A ball. Some yelling. But for a club like América, being the "biggest" in Mexico comes with a weirdly specific set of social responsibilities that go beyond just winning trophies. They launched the Grandes de Corazón program because, frankly, when you have a fanbase that spans millions across two countries, your reach is a superpower. It isn’t just a PR stunt. It’s a massive logistical machine that connects the players—stars who make millions—with kids and families who are facing the hardest days of their lives.
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What Grandes de Corazón Club América Actually Does
You’ve probably seen the photos. A player like Henry Martín or Alvaro Fidalgo visiting a hospital, wearing a mask, and handing over a yellow jersey to a kid in a bed. That’s the most visible part. But the program is actually divided into these specific "pillars" that tackle different social issues. They focus heavily on health, education, and inclusion.
One of the most impactful things they do involves their partnership with organizations like Dr. Sonrisas. They don't just send a signed ball and call it a day. They fulfill "wishes." Sometimes that means bringing a child to the Nido (the club’s training facility) to watch a practice, or having them walk out onto the pitch at the Estadio Azteca during a Liguilla match. If you’ve ever stood on that grass, you know it feels like a cathedral. Imagine being eight years old and battling a chronic illness, and suddenly you’re standing there with 80,000 people screaming. It changes your perspective. It gives you a reason to keep fighting.
The club also runs huge campaigns for breast cancer awareness (Cáncer de Mama) and childhood cancer. During October, they usually swap out the numbers on their jerseys for pink ones. Then, they auction those game-worn jerseys off. The money doesn't go back into the transfer budget. It goes directly to foundations that fund chemotherapy and reconstructive surgeries. It's real money. Real impact.
The Inclusion Factor: More Than Just a Logo
Inclusion is a big buzzword these days, but América actually put some meat on the bone with their América Pibe and special needs teams. They were one of the first major Mexican clubs to really integrate a "Blind Football" team and teams for players with Down Syndrome.
I remember seeing a clip of the blind football team practicing. The ball has bells inside so they can hear where it is. The level of skill is genuinely terrifying. Grandes de Corazón Club América treats these athletes like part of the first team. They use the same facilities. They wear the same crest. It’s about dignity. It’s about showing that the "Grandesa" (Greatness) of the club isn't just about how many stars are on the badge, but how wide they open their doors.
Social Responsibility in the Nido
Everything happens at Coapa. That's the heart of the club. When the Grandes de Corazón initiative brings people in, they aren't just visitors. They are guests of honor. The club has worked with the Telepón for years, raising staggering amounts of money.
- They donate taquilla (ticket sales) from specific matches.
- Players often donate a percentage of their bonuses.
- The women’s team (Club América Femenil) is arguably even more involved, frequently visiting community centers in the surrounding Mexico City neighborhoods.
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, though. Mexico has massive inequality. A football club can’t fix a broken healthcare system. But when a brand as big as América says "this matters," the rest of the country tends to look. That's the "América Effect."
Why the Fans Care
Fans are cynical. We’ve been burned by corporate "greenwashing" and fake charity before. But the Grandes de Corazón program feels different because it’s baked into the culture of the team. When a new player signs with América, they aren't just told about the 14+ titles. They are briefed on the community work. It’s part of the contract, effectively. You don’t just play for the badge; you represent the community.
There's a specific program called "Nuestras Alas" (Our Wings). It focuses on the environment and social development. They’ve done reforestation projects. They’ve done water conservation awareness. It’s a lot for a sports team to juggle, but they seem to understand that they are a "social institution" first and a soccer team second. Sorta.
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The Reality of the Impact
Let's look at the numbers, though I hate being a spreadsheet guy. Over the last decade, Grandes de Corazón Club América has impacted over 100,000 lives directly through their various foundations. That’s not just "views" on a video. That’s 100,000 people who received medical aid, toys, educational supplies, or a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
The club works closely with the Fundación Televisa. This gives them a massive megaphone. When there is a natural disaster—like the earthquakes that periodically rattle Mexico City—the Estadio Azteca isn't just a stadium anymore. It becomes a collection center. The players show up in their training gear to lift boxes and sort supplies. You see the photos of them sweaty and dirty, not from a match, but from moving crates of water. That is Grandes de Corazón in its rawest form.
Common Misconceptions
People think this is just a way to get a tax write-off. Look, every big corporation does that. But you can't fake the look on a kid's face when they meet their idol. You can't fake the hours of volunteer work the academy players have to put in. The club makes it a requirement for the youth players (the Sub-17s, Sub-20s) to participate in social work. It’s designed to keep them grounded. If you’re 17 and everyone is telling you you’re the next Cuauhtémoc Blanco, you might get a big head. Spending a Saturday at a soup kitchen in Nezahualcóyotl fixes that real quick.
Another misconception is that it’s only for people in Mexico City. While the Nido is the hub, the club uses its "Tour Águila" in the United States to run similar programs for the Mexican diaspora. They know their fans in LA, Chicago, and Texas are just as passionate, and many of them are struggling too.
How You Can Get Involved
You don’t have to be a billionaire to help. The program actually relies a lot on fan participation.
- Donation Drives: Keep an eye on the official Twitter (X) and Instagram accounts before home games. They often collect everything from toys at Christmas to blankets in the winter.
- Official Merchandise: Often, certain "special edition" items have a portion of proceeds go to the Grandes de Corazón fund.
- Volunteerism: While the club has its own staff, they often partner with larger NGOs that need boots on the ground.
Honestly, just supporting the women’s team is a huge part of it. The Femenil side is a massive pillar of the "Inclusion" side of the program. They are breaking barriers in a sport that has historically been very "machista" in Mexico. Every ticket bought for a Femenil match at the Azteca helps sustain the infrastructure that allows these social programs to exist.
The Future of the Program
As we move into 2026 and the World Cup approaches the Azteca, Grandes de Corazón Club América is scaling up. There’s a lot of talk about modernizing the community centers around the stadium. The neighborhood of Santa Ursula, where the stadium sits, isn't exactly the wealthiest part of the city. The club knows they owe a debt to the people who live in the shadow of those concrete walls.
They are planning more "Digital Literacy" programs for kids in the area. Football is the hook, but coding and technology are the goals. It’s a smart move. They’re using the "Aguilas" brand to prepare kids for jobs that didn't exist when the stadium was built in 1966.
Actionable Steps for the True Americanista
If you really want to see the impact of this program, don't just watch the highlights of the goals. Follow the "Fundación Club América" accounts. If you're a member of the Socio Águila program, check your emails for "Experiencias con Causa." These are events where you can participate in charity work alongside former players or staff.
It’s easy to be a fan when the team is winning titles. It’s much more meaningful to be a fan of the work they do when the cameras aren't necessarily focused on the scoreboard. Grandes de Corazón isn't just a catchy name; it’s a standard.
Next time you hear someone talking about how much they hate América, tell them about the blind football team. Tell them about the kids at Dr. Sonrisas who got to fly for the first time because of the club. It won't make them stop hating the team on the pitch—nothing will—but it might make them respect the institution off it.
How to Support Right Now
- Check the Official Calendar: Look for "Partidos con Causa" (Matches with a Cause). These are usually friendlies or specific league matches where the gate goes to charity.
- Donate at the Nido: If you are in CDMX, the Coapa facility has specific days for collection drives.
- Spread the Word: Social media is a tool. Sharing the stories of the kids the foundation helps actually increases the visibility for the partner NGOs, helping them get more funding from other sources too.
The "Grandesa" of Club América is often measured in trophies. But for thousands of families in Mexico, it’s measured in the help they received when they had nowhere else to turn. That is the real legacy of Grandes de Corazón Club América.
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To truly engage with the program, visit the official Club América website and look for the "Social" or "Fundación" tab. There, you can find the current list of partner foundations and see exactly where the latest donation drives are headed. Whether it's donating old kits to rural schools or participating in the annual pink ribbon auctions, your involvement as a fan turns a corporate initiative into a community movement.