We support champion female athletes on and off the field. Our unique mentorship and leadership development programs inspire and help them write the next chapter of their lives.
Athlete Leadership Connection
The WSF is committed to providing athletes with the skills and exposure needed to advance in their sports, or to transition to successful careers after competition, thus, we created the Athlete Leadership Connection.
The Athlete Leadership Connection (ALC) is an annual event established by the Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF) connecting top industry leaders with professional and collegiate female athletes. The mission is to impact, cultivate and inspire the next generation of female athletes as leaders both on and off the court.
ALC Conference Agenda
About the Conference
The Women’s Sports Foundation hosts a full-day conference at Morgan Stanley’s GlobalHeadquarters in Times Square New York. The conference is designed by athletes for athletes, and offers a one of a kind, hands-on leadership training experience.
The program is led by experts who conduct interactive breakout sessions and moderate action-driven panel discussions; mentoring by business leaders and established champions, and competitive learning experiences designed to provide athletes with new skills and resources for their future. Attendees also have the opportunity to participate in the Career Connection, gaining valuable interview skills and interviewing for internships and full-time positions with prestigious companies.
This is an invitation-only event attended by Olympic, Paralympic and World champion female athletes, college student-athletes, and influential sports, academic and business leaders
The Travel & Training Fund provides financial support to women athletes with potential to be elite, who would otherwise be unable to afford continuing their pursuits. The Fund helps cover coaching, travel and equipment – critical necessities to achieve even higher performance levels and rankings.
Since 1984, we have awarded grants to more than 1500 individual athletes and teams – including figure skaters Michelle Kwan and Tarah Kayne, diver Mary Ellen Clark, track sprinter Scout Bassett, bobsledder Elana Meyers Taylor, the U.S. Women’s National Water Polo Team and U.S. Deaf Soccer Women’s National Team.
Special thanks to our Travel & Training Fund partner Michelob ULTRA, who helps to fuel the athletic performance of women athletes with its generous support.
Deadlines and Relevant Dates
Online applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. EST on May 19, 2023. Please note that it may take up to three months for a decision to be made on your grant application. Grants will be disbursed during the third quarter of 2023.
Who is Eligible to Apply?
Individual applicants and all members of a team must be female U.S. citizens or legal residents and be eligible to compete for a U.S. national team.
Applicants must have amateur status.
Applicants must demonstrate financial need. The WSF approves grants that will have a significant and lasting impact on the applicant. A request needs to demonstrate a visible, apparent and immediate financial need and be consistent with the Travel & Training Fund’s mission.
Applicants must have a successful competitive record within their sport and/or age group.
Applicants must demonstrate the ability, based on competitive record and years in training, to reach and compete at an elite level. Those that have competed regionally (outside their state), nationally and/or internationally and/or are ranked by a national governing body.
In order to qualify for a team application, a team must consist of two or more females.
An individual or team may be awarded only one grant per calendar year and a maximum of three grants to an individual or team in a lifetime.
Who is Not Eligible to Apply?
High school, college, university (intercollegiate or club) or community recreation sports teams cannot apply.
Any athlete who is a member of a team already applying for a team grant may not also apply for an individual grant in the same grant period.
College Eligibility
Per the NCAA, for Division I and Division III athletes, receipt of this fund for general training expenses will jeopardize a prospective student-athletes or an enrolled student-athlete’s amateur status and make the individual ineligible to participate in intercollegiate athletics at the Division I or Division III level. However, in Division I and III NCAA Amateurism rules allow an individual to receive expenses provided they do not exceed the individuals’ actual and necessary expenses and are related to competition, or practice in preparation for competition. If an individual accepts actual and necessary expenses it is the responsibility of each institution to ensure that its student-athletes comply with NCAA legislation.
Per the NCAA, for Division II athletes, prior to initial full-time enrollment at any collegiate institution, a prospective student-athlete may use her athletics ability for pay without jeopardizing her amateur status provided the competition occurs during her one-year grace period. The one-year grace period is the year between the prospective student-athlete’s date of high school graduation, as determined by the NCAA Eligibility Center, and the next opportunity to enroll after the one calendar-year period has elapsed. However, if a prospective student-athlete delays full-time collegiate enrollment following the one-year grace period and continues to participate in organized competition involving an amateur or professional team(s), the prospective student-athlete may use a season of intercollegiate competition and could be subject to an academic year in residence. (NCAA Division II Bylaw 14.2.4.2). However, in Division II NCAA Amateurism rules allow an individual to receive expenses provided they do not exceed the individuals’ actual and necessary expenses and are related to competition, or practice in preparation for competition. If an individual accepts actual and necessary expenses it is the responsibility of each institution to ensure that its student-athletes comply with NCAA legislation.
Athletes applying for the grant are responsible for checking the financial aid regulations of the NCAA or sports organization governing their current or future high school, college or university to avoid jeopardizing their eligibility for sports participation. For specific questions about your collegiate eligibility, please contact the NCAA or your collegiate institution directly.
Team Grant and College Eligibility
NCAA Amateurism rules allow an individual, on an outside team, to receive expenses from that team provided they do not exceed those individuals’ actual and necessary expenses and are related to competition, or practice in preparation for competition. For example, “general” training expenses would not qualify for this exception, but actual and necessary expenses for meals, lodging and transportation that are directly related to competition would fit within this exception. If an individual accepts actual and necessary expenses it is the responsibility of each institution to ensure that its student-athletes comply with NCAA legislation.
Please note that if an individual receives preferential treatment, and/or a benefit or service because of the individual’s athletic reputation or skill, or pay-back potential as a professional athlete this may affect the student-athlete’s amateur status.
Grant Criteria
A Selection Committee will evaluate each application based on the selection criteria below:
Financial need
Present and potential level and ranking
Lack of financial support from traditional sources (ie. endorsements, National Governing Body stipends)
Role of award in continued participation and advancement in sport
Potential impact of grant on advancing women in sports
Contribution to greater visibility of female athletes
Priority given to those who present a plan for reimbursing the grant in the future, whether financially or otherwise contributing to women’s sports
Grant Allocation
Grants can be used for coaching, specialized training, equipment, attire and/or travel.
Grant Requirements
Grant recipients must agree to the following:
To use the grant for its intended purpose. (e.g. coaching, equipment or travel expenses)
To participate in the Athlete Ambassador Program that entails one face-to-face visit with a WSF grantee and at least one virtual connection a year. Ambassadors will be matched with the grantees closest to their communities. (*Face-to-face visits are TBD based on COVID-19 restrictions.)
To include recognition of your grant and of the Women’s Sports Foundation and Michelob ULTRA, for recipients 21 years of age or older, in all publicity surrounding your involvement in sports.
Grant Award
Individual grants will vary between $2,500 and $10,000. Up to $100,000 in grants will be awarded each calendar year.
How to Apply
During the program application period, an authorized representative must visit Foundant GLM, the Women’s Sports Foundation’s grant-management system, and follow the directions to register a new user profile or update an existing profile. Limit one (1) profile per person/email address. Once your profile is registered, you will be able to save and submit your application on the website.
Please read carefully through the full eligibility requirements, college guidelines and program criteria before starting a Foundant account and applying. Applicants will be judged on what information is available or provided at the time of application submission.
Special note: Under the organization information, please enter the contact information for your National Governing Body (NGB). A Tax ID number is not required to register (so you may leave that space blank).
Applicants will be judged on what information is available or provided at the time of application submission.
You will receive an e-mail at the e-mail address provided in your profile when your application has been received.
Any application that is late, incomplete or requesting funds for an event or purchase of equipment that will occur before the applicant would receive the grant money will not be accepted.
Other conditions under which an application will not be accepted:
Applications that are e-mailed or faxed
Applications for programs that require compulsory religious participation
Applications requesting funding towards the purchase of land, construction of buildings, event sponsorships and/or providing scholarships to individuals
Rusty Kanokogi Fund for the Advancement of U.S. Judo
The Rusty Kanokogi Fund for the Advancement of U.S. Judo was established in 2009 to provide direct financial assistance to afford young female judoka the opportunity to train and compete worldwide in pursuit of Olympic excellence.
Established by Richard Ader, the Fund is named in honor of the late Rena “Rusty” Kanokogi who is considered the mother of women’s judo. Kanokogi held a seventh-degree black belt in judo, making her the highest-ranking American woman in the sport of judo and she fought for more than two decades to make judo an Olympic sport.
Deadlines and Relevant Dates
The 2021 grant application is closed if you would like to receive a notification when the next grant cycle opens, please e-mail your contact information to Anne Peltier at APeltier@WomensSportsFoundation.org, and include the name of the grant in the subject line.
Grant Eligibility
Individual applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal residents and be eligible to compete for a U.S. national team.
Applicants must be in training for national and international competition.
An individual may be awarded only one grant from the Women’s Sports Foundation per calendar year and a maximum of three grants to an individual in a lifetime.
Grant Criteria
Individuals applying for this grant are evaluated based upon the following criteria:
Financial need
Present and potential level and ranking
Lack of support from traditional sources
Role of award in continued participation and advancement
Potential impact of grant on advancing women in sports
Contribution to greater visibility of female athletes
Priority given to those who present a plan for reimbursing the grant in the future, whether financially or otherwise contributing to women’s sports.
Grant and College Eligibililty
Per the NCAA Division I, II and III legislation, it is permissible for an individual to accept this scholarship since this sport is not sponsored at the NCAA level.
Grant Allocation
Grants can be used for coaching, specialized training, equipment, attire and/or travel.
Grant Award
A total of $5,000 in grants will be awarded each calendar year. The Fund is replenished through earnings on the endowment and donations.
How to Apply
During the program application period, an authorized representative must visit Foundant GLM, the Women’s Sports Foundation’s grant-management system, and follow the directions to register a new user profile or update an existing profile. Limit one (1) profile per person/email address. Once your profile is registered, you will be able to save and submit your application on the website.
Please read carefully through the eligibility requirements and program criteria before starting a Foundant account and applying. Applicants will be judged on what information is available or provided at the time of application submission.
Under the organization information, please enter the contact information for USA Judo. A Tax ID number is not required to register (so you may leave that space blank).
You will receive an e-mail at the e-mail address provided in your profile when your application has been received.
Any application that is late, incomplete or requesting funds for an event or purchase of equipment that will occur before the applicant would receive the grant money will not be accepted.
Other conditions under which an application will not be accepted:
Applications that are e-mailed or faxed
Applications for programs that require compulsory religious participation
Applications requesting funding towards the purchase of land, construction of buildings, event sponsorships, providing scholarships to individuals and/or the purchase/care of animals
Applications requesting retroactive funding
2021 Grant Recipients
Nina Cutro-Kelly
U.S. Judo Olympian
Angelica Delgado
U.S. Judo Olympian
Maria Liana Mutia
U.S. Judo Paralympian
Nefeli Papadakis
U.S. Judo Olympian
Contact
If after reading these guidelines carefully you still have questions, please contact Anne Peltier: 646.833.0424 or APeltier@WomensSportsFoundation.org.
A strong advocate for women in the motorsports industry, particularly women who aspire to the professional level in racing, Lyn St. James established the Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation (WWCF) in 1994, and announced the first ever Project Podium scholarship fund in 2007.
One of the Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation’s signature programs was the Women in the Winner’s Circle Academy: The Complete Driver. The Academy became the most comprehensive educational and training program of its kind for gifted women racers providing the skills on the track and off the track to be competitive in motor sports. Since its inception, more than 230 women drivers from five countries and 33 states, including Danica Patrick, Erin Crocker, Melanie Troxel and Sarah Fisher, have participated in this invitation-only academy.
Building on the academy’s success, St. James felt it was important to provide financial resources to these talented drivers as well as training. In 2007, Women in the Winner’s Circle Foundation announced the first scholarship fund for women race car drivers, Project Podium, with a donation from Newman’s Own Foundation. Since then, this industry-wide scholarship has been available to female race car drivers from all forms of racing, including go kart, quarter midget, drag racing, sports car racing, oval track racing, etc.
In 2013, the St. James combined resources with the Women’s Sports Foundation to establish the Women’s Sports Foundation Women in the Winner’s Circle Project Podium grant. The Fund is committed to create a diverse talent pool in motorsports and empower drivers with ability to generate financial resources to grow and sustain their racing careers; therefore, those who apply, qualify, and are approved will receive a grant on a matched fund basis only. One goal of this program is to help teach drivers how to raise sponsorship funds.
Grant Deadlines
The 2018-19 application window is from August 1 through October 31, 2018. Applicants will be notified by November 30, 2018, and the 2018-19 grants will be awarded the first quarter of 2019.
Grant Eligibility
Proof that funds equal to the funding amount requested have been raised from sponsorship or other forms of support for her racing for the specific racing series and season identified.
A minimum of three years of racing experience.
A complete racing resume with available supporting documentation such as qualifying sheets or box scores; media coverage; photographs, etc.
Grant Criteria
Financial need;
Present and potential level and ranking;
Show of support from traditional motorsports sources; (ex. Tires, fuel, lubricants, apparel)
Potential impact of grant on advancing women in motor sports;
Priority given to those who present a plan for reimbursing the grant in the future, whether financially or otherwise contributing to women in motor sports;
Limit of grant request is based on the grantee’s ability to secure matching funds (1:1) from sponsors or other resources; and
Grantees will be required to display a Women’s Sports Foundation mark (logo) and Project Podium patch on their race suit and/or helmet and decals on race vehicle and support equipment (location TBD) as well as include information regarding the grant in press and marketing materials, including websites.
Administration
In addition to Lyn St. James, a panel of motorsports experts and business professionals selects each recipient from a list of qualified applicants.
Grant Requirements
Grant recipients must agree to the following:
Complete a final report(s) about how the funding was used and their racing results
Promote the Women’s Sports Foundation Project Podium grant through logos and inclusion in media materials and interviews.
Grant Award
The number of grants will depend on the number of qualified applications received and the amount of funding available annually.
How to Apply
During the program application period, an authorized representative must visit Foundant GLM, the Women’s Sports Foundation’s grant-management system, and follow the directions to register a new user profile or update an existing profile. Limit one (1) profile per person/email address. Once your profile is registered, you will be able to save and submit your application on the website.
Under the organization information, please enter the information for your Team. A Tax ID number is not required to register (so you may leave that space blank).
Please read carefully through the full eligibility requirements and program criteria before starting a Foundant account and applying. Applicants will be judged on what information is available or provided at the time of application submission.
Notification of Application Acceptance
You will receive an e-mail at the e-mail address provided in your profile when your application has been received.
Any application that is late, incomplete or requesting funds for an event or purchase of equipment that will occur before the applicant would receive the grant money will not be accepted.
Other conditions under which an application will not be accepted:
Applications that are e-mailed or faxed
Applications for programs that require compulsory religious participation
Applications requesting funding towards the purchase of land, construction of buildings, event sponsorships, providing scholarships to individuals and/or the purchase/care of animals
Applications requesting retroactive funding
2018 Recipients
Abigail McLaughlin
Mooresville, Ind.
Brittany Zamora
Kennewick, Wash.
Courtney Crone
Corona, Calif.
Hannah Grisham
Glendora, Calif.
Jenna Grillo
Madison, Wis.
Kendall Hedge
Indianapolis, Ind.
Lauren Edgerton
Milford, Va.
Madison Campeau
Mooresville, N.C.
Makala Marks
Avon, Ind.
Melissa Paris
Oceanside, Calif.
Sarah Montgomery
Lafayette, La.
Contact
If after reading these guidelines carefully you still have questions, please contact Elizabeth Flores-Amaya: 516-307-3915 or EFlores-Amaya@WomensSportsFoundation.org.
More information about Lyn St. James, the Women’s in the Winner’s Circle Foundation and The Complete Driver Academy may be found at www.lynstjames.com.
