“Participation in track and field can enable long-term mental, physical, and social wellbeing for girls. Our hope is that through our grant program, girls utilize the effectiveness of their track and field experiences to positively influence their everyday choices, and will move on to become a positive influence for the next generation of girls.”
– Jennifer Forrester, TrackGirlz Co-Director
Through our track and field grant program, our goal is to increase participation in track and field among girls to support access to movement, sport, and higher education. According to research conducted by the Women’s Sports Foundation, by the age of 14, girls drop out of sports twice as often as boys for factors such as social stigma, lack of access, safety and transportation issues, costs, and lack of positive role models. Track and Field was found to most likely lead to higher education at four-year colleges and positively impacts behaviors, self-esteem, and overall health for teen girls. The sport is one of the most diverse and inclusive sports for women, appealing to various ethnicities, body types, and athletes with physical disabilities.
Our Grassroots Youth Grant was created to support girls ages 5-18 who have demonstrated a commitment to athletic development and expressed a financial need. This grant was designed to help provide access to track and field at the local level through run and track clubs. This grant can be applied to track club membership fees, uniform costs, and any related travel costs incurred while participating in the approved sports team for that approved season. The grant funds will be paid directly to the grant recipient’s club team to be applied towards the recipient’s club fees, uniform/running shoes, and any related travel costs.
This grant also covers training equipment to support girls training at home due to COVID-19. TrackGirlz teamed up with SKLZ to provide equipment grants to ensure girls have access to the tools needed to excel in sport. A coach can also apply for this grant, representing a track/run club financial need for girls in their program(s).
The LeadHERship Grant is an opportunity for high school seniors and collegiate women to demonstrate the impact of a leader who has positively impacted their ability to thrive in life through track and field. Applicants can also choose to highlight themselves, if they have made an effort to help forge a path for girls in track and field through their actions or can construct a plan to forge that path in the future. Grant recipients must use the grant money for the next immediate collegiate school year.
Our TrackGirlz Workshopz & Events Grant is awarded to cover registration fees for middle and high school girls to attend TrackGirlz workshopz and events at no cost to them. Events can include:
