Women's Sports Foundation

What Women's Sports Foundation does

The Women's Sports Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1974 by Billie Jean King with a $5,000 check, headquartered at 815 Second Avenue, 9th Floor, in New York City. Its mission is to enable girls and women to reach their potential in sport and life; the foundation serves female athletes across all competitive levels (from youth to elite, including Paralympians and athletes from underserved communities), women coaches, youth program leaders, and girl-serving community organizations. It co-founded National Girls & Women in Sports Day and operates as a research-driven advocacy and grant-making body that has invested $115 million+ over its 50+ year history.

The organization's product portfolio centers on grant programs, digital platforms, research publications, advocacy resources, events, and merchandise. Grant programs include the Travel & Training Fund (since 1984, up to $10,000 per athlete, awarding up to $140,000 across the 2026 cycle), the Sports 4 Life grant program with ESPN (40 community organizations funded in 2025, exceeding $3 million cumulative and reaching nearly 95,000 girls), and the Scott Pioli & Family Fund for Women Football Coaches (since 2018). Digital offerings include We Play Interactive, a free professional development platform for coaches built on Brightspace/D2L and featuring theme-based activity modules and a video library of elite athlete role models; research publications include the cross-generational Play to Lead report (September 2024) and the Chasing Equity report; and advocacy resources include Play Fair: A Title IX Guide for Athletics. Annual events include the Salute to Women in Sports Gala in New York City (700+ attendees in 2025, ticket/table pricing from $2,000-$100,000) and NGWSD, which expects 300+ activations across the U.S. in its 2026 40th-anniversary year. Merchandise is sold through the WSF Store.

WSF's revenue model is a diversified nonprofit funding stack: individual donations (one-time, monthly recurring, tribute), corporate partnerships (presenting and program sponsors), grants from foundations (e.g., $250,000 from Betty Wold Johnson Foundation with the New York Jets, ongoing ESPN partnership for Sports 4 Life), planned giving (Champions Legacy Circle), merchandise sales, cryptocurrency donations via The Giving Block, vehicle donations, peer-to-peer fundraising through Team WSF marathon participation, and AmazonSmile-style retail round-up programs. Customer segments are horizontal — meaning the foundation serves multiple persona types (athletes, coaches, youth program leaders, and community organizations) rather than industry verticals. Distribution spans a U.S.-focused domestic footprint with global donor reach through digital channels, and revenue is not publicly disclosed despite the organization's 501(c)(3) status (EIN 23-7380557), Candid Platinum Seal of Transparency, BBB Wise Giving Alliance accreditation, and 4-star Charity Navigator rating.

Name

Women's Sports Foundation

Legal name

Women's Sports Foundation

Website

https://womenssportsfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Women's Sports Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1974 by Billie Jean King that funds, advocates for, and researches opportunities for girls and women in sport through grant programs, the annual Salute Gala, National Girls & Women in Sports Day, Title IX advocacy, and research publications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Women's Sports Advocacy and Grant Services

NAICS

Other Spectator Sports (711219), Spectator Sports (71121)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Sports Fundraising & Development Services (Foundations, NIL Collectives Support) (MPAKAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Sports Community Relations & Grassroots Program Management (MPAKAKAJ)

Keywords

• Women's sports advocacy
• Athletic grant programs
• Gender equity sports
• Title ix advocacy
• Girls youth athletics

Headquarters

HQ city

East Meadow

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals supporting WSF's mission to advance gender equity in sports. Multiple giving vehicles including one-time gifts, monthly recurring donations, and tribute gifts in honor or memory of individuals.
2. Corporate Partnerships: Sponsorship and grant funding from corporate partners including presenting sponsors for the Annual Salute gala and program sponsors for initiatives like Sports 4 Life.
3. Merchandise Sales: E-commerce sales of branded merchandise including apparel, accessories, and collectibles through the WSF Store.
4. Planned Giving: Bequests, charitable remainder trusts, and estate planning vehicles through the Champions Legacy Circle planned giving program.
5. Grant Programs: Grants from foundations and organizations (e.g., $250,000 from Betty Wold Johnson Foundation, ESPN partnership for Sports 4 Life) to fund specific programs.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Women's Sports Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 1974 by Billie Jean King, that advances gender equity in sports through direct grant programs for athletes and coaches, Title IX and policy advocacy, original research and educational resources, and large-scale public awareness campaigns such as National Girls & Women in Sports Day and the Annual Salute to Women in Sports Gala.

Product overview

The Women's Sports Foundation operates as a nonprofit advocacy and grant-making organization rather than a technology product company. Its offerings include grant programs (Travel & Training Fund, Sports 4 Life, Scott Pioli & Family Fund), digital platforms (We Play Interactive), research publications (Play to Lead Report, Chasing Equity report), advocacy resources (Play Fair Title IX Guide, The Equity Project campaign), merchandise (WSF Store), and events (Annual Salute Gala, National Girls & Women in Sports Day). The portfolio centers on expanding access and opportunity for girls and women in sports through funding, education, and community programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD): Annual nationwide celebration honoring the achievements of women athletes, coaches and leaders, co-founded by WSF in 1986.
• The Equity Project
• We Play Interactive

Products and services

• Travel & Training Fund
• Sports 4 Life Grant Program
• Scott Pioli & Family Fund for Women Football Coaches and Scouts
• We Play Interactive
• WSF Store
• Annual Salute to Women in Sports Gala
• National Girls & Women in Sports Day (NGWSD)
• The Equity Project
• Play to Lead Report
• Play Fair: A Title IX Guide for Athletics

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 95,000 girls reached through Sports 4 Life program since inception
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• TYLENOL (Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc.)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 25 June 2026Partnership through Athlete Recovery and Care Commitment Grant. TYLENOL awarded $120,000 to 12 athletes in 2026 through the Women's Sports Foundation partnership. Campaign 'PainTalk' developed with soccer legend Mia Hamm and NWSL player Emma Sears to normalize conversations about pain among athletes.
• Ally FinancialcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 March 2026Launched #AllTheWayToTheBank campaign converting fan social media posts into donations to WSF. Partnership with U.S. hockey captain Hilary Knight. Backing new leagues and media deals in women's sports.
• New York JetsmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 February 2026Joint partnership with Betty Wold Johnson Foundation for $250,000 grant. Prior $1 million commitment to launch Jets ECAC Women's Flag Football League, the largest collegiate flag football league in the US.
• ESPNcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 October 2025Partnership supporting Sports 4 Life grant program. ESPN collaborates with WSF to fund 40 community organizations promoting girls' sports in underserved communities. Program has exceeded $3 million in grants.
• Bank of AmericamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for 2026 Annual Salute to Women in Sports Gala. Also sponsoring Team WSF for Chicago Marathon fundraising.
• Delta Air LinesmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for 2026 Annual Salute to Women in Sports Gala.
• NBC SportscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for 2026 Annual Salute to Women in Sports Gala. Media partner for women's sports coverage.
• GatoradecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for 2026 Annual Salute to Women in Sports Gala.
• Michelob ULTRAcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor and Travel & Training Fund partner. Supports athlete grant program recognition in publicity.
• YahoominorGTM or Marketing PartnerGenerous supporter providing funding for We Play Interactive platform development and maintenance.
• CARS (Charitable Adult Rides & Services)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVehicle donation partner accepting cars, motorcycles, RVs, and boats to support WSF mission.
• AmazonSmileminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmazon program donating portion of eligible purchases to WSF when customers select WSF as their charity.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Athletes for Hope: Athlete-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit that mobilizes professional athletes to engage in philanthropy and community service. Direct peer in athlete-advocacy nonprofit model, donor mobilization, and community-driven programming.
• Pat Tillman Foundation: Sports-named foundation providing scholarships and community to veterans and military families. Comparable foundation model, scholarship/grant programs, high-profile athlete/celebrity ambassadors, and donor-driven revenue streams.
• USA Track & Field Foundation: National sport-specific nonprofit foundation providing athlete grants and youth program funding. Direct peer in sport-foundation model, athlete travel/training grants, and grassroots youth development.

Broad incumbents

• V Foundation for Cancer Research: Major sports-tied nonprofit funding cancer research through celebrity-driven fundraising. Comparable in foundation structure, gala-driven fundraising, brand-name credibility, and multi-stream donor model.
• Laureus Sport for Good Foundation: Global sports foundation using sport for social development. Comparable to WSF in its foundation model, sport-for-social-impact mission, athlete ambassador network, and grant programs supporting underserved youth through sport.
• NCAA Foundation: National Collegiate Athletic Association, including its educational and student-athlete support programs. Comparable as a major collegiate sports governing and advocacy body that operates programs, grants, and championships relevant to WSF's collegiate gender-equity focus.

Emerging players

• The GIST: Women's sports newsletter and media brand reaching ~1M subscribers. Comparable in women's-sports audience engagement and content mission; differs in commercial media model vs WSF's nonprofit foundation model.
• Just Women's Sports: Women's sports digital media company covering leagues, athletes, and culture. Adjacent peer operating in the women's-sports content and advocacy ecosystem that overlaps with WSF's audience and mission space.
• TOGETHXR: Women's sports media company co-founded by athletes including Sue Bird, Alex Morgan, Megan Rapinoe, and Simone Biles. Direct peer in women's-sports ecosystem, sharing audiences and the women's-sports advocacy space, though commercial rather than nonprofit.
• Women's Sports Media (WSM) / Women's Sports Network: Women's sports content platforms and advocacy networks focused on growing visibility of female athletes. Adjacent peer operating in the women's-sports content ecosystem that shares audience and mission alignment with WSF.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/womenssportsfdn
• Facebookfacebook.com/womenssportsfoundation

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments37 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Women's Sports Foundation