DICK’S Sporting Goods announce $5m grant to ‘United for Girls’ initiative
February 14, 2020
Last week, DICK’S Sporting Goods and The DICK’S Sporting Goods Foundation hosted the ‘Here For Her’ summit in New York City, where they announced a $5 million grant to U.S. Soccer Foundation's 'United for Girls' Initiative.
The three-year-long Sports Matter grant is aimed at increasing opportunities for girls and women to benefit from soccer. It will be used to create safe places to play, fund coaching and training opportunities and support soccer programs in underserved communities across the country, with the goal of engaging 100,000 girls by 2023.
"At DICK'S we believe at our core that sports matter. There are so many incredible benefits to playing sports, from building character to learning how to win and lose, to increasing self-confidence," said Lauren Hobart, President of DICK'S and The DICK'S Foundation. "It was very special to have so many empowering women at our 'Here for Her' Summit this morning. Today is a proud moment for our Company and the Foundation as we announced expanded offerings in-store and increase our support for young girls to play sports."
WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert; actor, director and producer Katie Holmes; sports journalist Christine Brennan; and best-selling author and journalist Elaine Welteroth, joined the summit to discuss the challenges and opportunities girls experience accessing sports and the impact sports and fitness have had on their lives.
Also particpating were women spanning the sports industry; soccer player Sydney Leroux, softball pitcher Jennie Finch, Olympic Gold Medalist and CEO of Laureus USA Benita Fitzgerald Mosley, and Associate Vice President of Programs for the U.S. Soccer Foundation Sarah Pickens, to share how sports and fitness have impacted their lives.
The retailer also announced that they are the official sporting goods retailer of USA Softball. In addition to the multi-year partnership, DICK’S is the official merchandise vendor for the Stand Beside Her tour, which serves as the exhibition and training tour for the 2020 U.S. Women's National Team ahead of competition this summer in Tokyo.
Since 2014, DICK’S and The DICK'S Foundation have pledged more than $100 million to support youth sports teams and leagues in need. The Sports Matter initiative aims to increase awareness for underfunded youth athletics nationwide and provide support through equipment, uniform and monetary donations.
Beyond Sport was proud to partner with The DICK'S Sporting Goods Foundation on the 2019 Sport for Reduced Inequalities Collective Impact Award. Learn more about the Collective Impact initiative here.