Rooted in Scott Pioli’s decades‑long commitment to equity and mentorship in football, this Fund supports women building careers as coaches and scouts across collegiate and professional football. Created through the generosity of Scott Pioli and his family, the Fund expands access to training, education, and professional pathways — helping ensure more women enter and advance through football’s leadership pipeline.
About the Pioli & Family Fund
A three‑time Super Bowl champion and longtime NFL personnel executive, Scott Pioli has been a vocal advocate for equality and a mentor to women across the sport. Guided by his family’s belief in Billie Jean King’s vision of women and men advancing together in sport, the Fund reflects a shared commitment to strengthening representation and opportunity in football.
Women continue to make strides in coaching and scouting, yet access to resources, mentorship, and institutional support remains uneven. The Pioli & Family Fund addresses these barriers by providing financial assistance that helps women pursue opportunities that move their careers forward — from certifications and professional development to travel, housing, and job‑related expenses. Grants are awarded to individuals in the United States who demonstrate commitment to the objectives of the Fund.
The Scott Pioli & Family Fund is proudly administered by WSF and supported through generous private and public donations. Learn more about how you can support the Fund below.
Financial Award
Grants are awarded to individuals in the United States who are committed to the objectives of the Fund. Award amounts typically range from $2,000–$10,000 and may be used for job‑related expenses — including professional development, travel, education, and housing — that support advancement in football coaching or scouting.
Who Can Apply
- Individuals pursuing careers in football coaching or scouting within the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and U.S. Territories.
- Part‑time coaches or scouts, graduate assistants, early‑career professionals, and established coaches or scouts in collegiate or professional football.
- All eligible individuals are encouraged to apply.
- Applications must be submitted directly by the individual; institutional sponsorship is not required.
Grant Application Timeline
The application period is currently closed. Please return in January 2027 for our next funding opportunity.
- January 13, 2027 – Applications open.
- April 30, 2027 – Application deadline.
- June 7, 2027 – Final decisions communicated.
- July 1, 2027 – Grant period beings.
This timeline may be adjusted as necessary.
How to Apply & Grant Criteria
During the application period, applicants may submit via Foundant GLM. Applications are evaluated according to the objectives of the Fund and the information provided by each applicant. Grants are awarded based on:
- Financial need
- Potential for advancement in football coaching or scouting
- Lack of support from traditional sources
- Potential impact of the grant on advancing the objectives of the Fund
Recipients are responsible for ensuring that all requested expenses comply with the rules and regulations of their governing organization(s).
Notification of Application Acceptance
You will receive an email at the address provided in your profile once your application has been received. Applications that are late, incomplete or request funds for an ineligible request will not be accepted. Additional conditions under which an application will not be accepted include:
- Applications submitted via email or fax
- Applications for programs that require compulsory religious participation
- Applications requesting funding towards the purchase of land, construction of buildings, event sponsorships, and/or the purchase/care of animals
- Applications seeking retroactive funding
2026 Grant Recipients
Meet the current recipients of the Scott Pioli & Family Fund, a cohort of emerging coaches and scouts whose work reflects the mission and impact of the Fund. Previous recipients are listed below.
Previous Recipients
| Amanda Ruller | Head Flag Football Coach & Running Backs Coach, Eastern University | 2025 |
| MK Collins | Player Personnel Coordinator, Buffalo Bills | 2025 |
| Kelly Cline | Assistant Defensive Backs Coach, University of Wisconsin, La Crosse | 2024 |
| Ashley Cornwell | Assistant Offensive Line Coach and Run Game Analyst, Bucknell University | 2024 |
| Lisa Horton | Offense Assistant Coach, Slippery Rock University | 2024 |
| Lori Locust | Defensive Quality Control, Tennessee Titans | 2023 |
| Beca Perez | Football Defensive Assistant, San Jose State University | 2021 |
| Mickey Grace | Quality Control, Dartmouth College | 2021 |
| Ameena Soliman | Player Personnel Coordinator, Philadelphia Eagles | 2020 |
| Hannah Burnett | Scouting Coordinator, Atlanta Falcons | 2020 |
| Heather Marini | Offensive Quality Control, Brown University | 2019 |
| Jennifer King | Quality Control, Dartmouth College | 2019 |
| Salli Clavelle | Pro Personnel Analyst, San Francisco 49ers | 2019 |
About Scott Pioli
Scott Pioli is a nationally respected former NFL executive whose 30-plus year career includes five Super Bowl appearances, three Super Bowl championships, four AFC Championships, one NFC Championship, and nine Division titles. Pioli has consistently proven himself a top-tier professional executive and is widely recognized as one of the key architects of the Patriots dynasty.
Pioli’s professional contributions have earned him widespread recognition and distinction. He has been awarded the prestigious NFL Executive of the Year title five times and has been honored as the NFL’s Executive of the Decade by ESPN, Sports Illustrated, and Sporting News. Notably, Pioli still holds the distinction of being the youngest recipient of the George Young NFL Executive of the Year Award.
Pioli spent three decades in the NFL before becoming an analyst for various media outlets including NBC, NFL Network and CBS Sports. He is a sought after speaker and consultant that works for several companies, college athletic departments and the NFL. Additionally, Pioli and his wife are also investors/owners in the NWSL’s Boston Legacy FC franchise that began play in 2026.
As part of his work, Pioli is involved in various board affiliations that align with his values. He serves on the Women’s Sports Foundation’s Board of Trustees, where he chairs the Finance and Legal Committee, and contributes to RISE as a board member (Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality) and is the co-founder of RISE to Vote, actively promoting non-partisan civic engagement. He is also on the National Advisory Council for Women Leaders in Sports, a national non-profit organization that empowers women to advance into positions of influence and transform the world of sports through world-class leadership development, career training, and access to a powerful network. Pioli’s commitment is also evident through his involvement with the Black College Football Hall of Fame as a board member, the selection committee and his role as a founding member of the NFL’s Bill Walsh Diversity Council. He was named as the 2024 Black College Football HOF Founders Award by founders James ‘Shack’ Harris and Doug Williams.
Contact
For questions about the Fund, contact Morgan Powell at MPowell@WomensSportsFoundation.org.
Donor Info
We are grateful for the philanthropic support of generous donors who believe in the power of sport to empower girls and women.
If you have questions about making a donation, please contact Lisa Thuer-Winkelfoos at LThuer@WomensSportsFoundation.org
Donate Now to the Scott Pioli & Family Fund