The Women's Sports Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in New York, NY. Founded in 1974 by tennis legend Billie Jean King, the organization operates as both an advocacy organization and a grant maker dedicated to advancing the lives of girls and women through sports and physical activity. The foundation serves as an ally, advocate, and catalyst for creating leaders by ensuring equitable access to sports for all girls and women.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$17.6M
+71.0% YoY
Annual Giving
$765K
+45.7% YoY
Grant Count
66
+24.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$12K
+17.0% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: The Women's Sports Foundation exists to enable girls and women to reach their potential in sport and life. The organization is dedicated to creating leaders by providing girls access to sports.
Primary Focus Areas:
Community Impact & Engagement: Strengthening recruitment, engagement, and quality programming for girls in sports, with particular emphasis on girls from underresourced communities. The foundation provides tools and technical assistance to coaches, parents, and community leaders.
Research: Maintains a comprehensive portfolio of approximately 100 signature research projects. The foundation conducts evidence-based public interest research on girls and women in sports and physical activity to inform policy outreach and impact initiatives.
Advocacy: Championing gender equity in sports, including defense of Title IX and policy education for lawmakers and the public.
Athlete Support: Providing financial resources to aspiring champion athletes and elite athletes through travel and training funds to reduce financial obstacles.
Digital Resources: Operating "We Play Interactive," a digital platform designed to help coaches and girls discover joy from playing sports.
Athlete Ambassador Program: Engaging elite athletes as role models to inspire girls' participation in sports.
Grantmaking
Grant Range
$1,000 - $15,000 (varies by program)
Ready to take the next step with Womens Sports Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
United States, including all 50 states, Washington D.C., and U.S. territories. The organization also has presence in Canada and Tunisia.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent (Fiscal Year 2024):
- Total Revenue: $15,001,728
- Total Expenses: $7,457,864
- Net Income: $7,543,864
- Total Assets: $17,602,639
- Total Liabilities: $1,100,000
- Employees: 25-41 (varying reports)
Organization Status:
- Tax-exempt since June 1974
- EIN: 23-7380557
- Four-Star rating on Charity Navigator (100% score)
- Platinum Seal from Candid (2023)
- Accredited by BBB Wise Giving Alliance
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $17,602,639 | $10,291,005 | $9,209,167 |
| Revenue | $15,001,728 | $7,651,405 | $8,517,660 |
| Expenses | $7,457,864 | $6,558,739 | $6,615,182 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $322,403 | $88,759 | $118,364 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
249 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Womens Sports Foundation
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Junior Tennis Foundation Inc ($50,000), Challenged Athletes Foundation ($20,000), Eastern Mennonite University ($17,500).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Tennis Foundation Inc White Plains, NY | Gainbridge/Parity | $50,000 |
| Challenged Athletes Foundation San Diego, CA | CJ Share Your Spotlight Program | $20,000 |
| Eastern Mennonite University Harrisonburg, VA | TARA PROGRAM | $17,500 |
| Adelphi University Garden City, NY | TARA PROGRAM | $17,500 |
| Texas Woman's University Denton, TX | TARA PROGRAM | $17,500 |
| The Howard University Washington, DC | TARA PROGRAM | $17,500 |
| Trustees of Clark University Worcester, MA | TARA PROGRAM | $17,500 |
| College of the Holy Cross Worcester, MA | TARA PROGRAM | $17,500 |
| University of North Florida Jacksonville, FL | TARA PROGRAM | $17,500 |
| Central College Pella, IA | TARA PROGRAM | $16,031 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Chief Executive Officer: Danette Leighton
- Chief Development Officer: Jean Tatge
- Board of Trustees: Composed of members from many walks of life
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| BILLIE JEAN KING | FOUNDER AND HONORARY CHAIR | 10 | — |
| ILANA KLOSS | PAST CHAIR | 7 | — |
| JIM WILKINSON | CO-CHAIR - DEVELOPMENT | 10 | — |
| JOAN HAFFENREFFER | VICE CHAIR - DEVELOPMENT | 10 | — |
| KATHLEEN KUNKLER | CHAIR - AUDIT | 10 | — |
| MEGHAN DUGGAN | PAST PRESIDENT, CHAIR ADVOCACY | 10 | — |
| MICHAEL GREGOIRE | CHAIR - INVESTMENT | 10 | — |
| PORTIA ARCHER | CHAIR - GOVERNANCE | 10 | — |
| ROBIN HARRIS | CHAIR - BOARD OF TRUSTEES | 10 | — |
| SCOTT PIOLI | TREASURER, CHAIR - FINANCE | 10 | — |
| SCOUT BASSETT | PRESIDENT | 10 | $18,000 |
| ANDREA BRIMMER | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| ARIELLE CHAMBERS | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| ASHLYN HARRIS | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| BERNARD MUIR | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| BRENDA VILLA | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| BRETT GOODMAN | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| CAROL STIFF | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| DARCIE GLAZER KASSEWITZ | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| ELANA MEYERS TAYLOR | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| JILL NASH | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| KATE JOHNSON | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| KATY KNOX | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| LACHINA ROBINSON | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| MARK HENDERSON | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| MOLLY VAN WAGENEN | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| MUFFET MCGRAW | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| NICOLE JETER WEST | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| PHAIDRA KNIGHT | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| RALPH ANDRETTA | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| ROSETTA ELLIS-PILIE | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| SHAWNA RYAN | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| SWIN CASH | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| VANESSA WALLACE | TRUSTEE | 5 | — |
| DANETTE LEIGHTON | CEO | 50 | $495,753 |
| JEAN TATGE | CHIEF DEVELOPMENT OFFICER | 40 | $195,113 |
| OLGA HARVEY | CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER | 40 | $227,956 |
| ERIN CASEY | VP, COMMUNITY IMPACT | 40 | $150,934 |
| KAREN ISSOKSON-SILVER | VP, RESEARCH AND EDUCATION | 40 | $178,866 |
| NATOYA CURD | SR. DIRECTOR OF OPS & ADMIN | 40 | $136,693 |
| PATRICIA BIFULCO | VP, COMMUNICATION | 40 | $153,362 |
| SARAH FAULTLESS-AXELSON | VP, ADVOCACY | 40 | $136,749 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2025 Sports 4 Life Program:** The Women's Sports Foundation announced its 2025 Sports 4 Life grant recipients, surpassing $3 million in total funding to empower girls in underserved communities.
Betty Wold Johnson Foundation Announces $250,000 Grant To Women\u2019s Sports\**10th Anniversary of Sports 4 Life Program:** The foundation celebrated the milestone with announcements of the largest funding pool and grant class since the program's inception.
Betty Wold Johnson Foundation Announces $250,000 Grant To Women\u2019s Sports\**Betty Wold Johnson Foundation Grant:** The Women's Sports Foundation received a $250,000 grant from the Betty Wold Johnson Foundation on National Girls & Women in Sports Day.
Betty Wold Johnson Foundation Announces ... - New York JetsSubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Womens Sports Foundation fund?
**Mission:** The Women's Sports Foundation exists to enable girls and women to reach their potential in sport and life. The organization is dedicated to creating leaders by providing girls access to sports. **Primary Focus Areas:** • **Community Impact & Engagement:** Strengthening recruitment, engagement, and quality programming for girls in sports, with particular emphasis on girls from underresourced communities. The foundation provides tools and technical assistance to coaches, parents, and…
How do I apply for a grant from Womens Sports Foundation?
**Sports 4 Life Program:** • Annual funding: $400,000+ (with 2025 announcements indicating the largest funding pool since program inception) • Grant range: $1,000 - $15,000 (varies by program) • Focus: Supporting girls of color and underresourced communities in developmental youth sports programs • Eligible uses: Coaching, curriculum, equipment, uniforms, transportation, facility rental, tournaments, and team-building activities • Decision timeline: 2-3 months • Contact: Anne Peltier at APeltie…
Where does Womens Sports Foundation make grants?
United States, including all 50 states, Washington D.C., and U.S. territories. The organization also has presence in Canada and Tunisia.
What size grants does Womens Sports Foundation award?
In 2024, Womens Sports Foundation awarded 66 grants totaling $765K — an average of about $12K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Womens Sports Foundation's EIN?
Womens Sports Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 23-7380557. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Womens Sports Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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