In sport and life, girls need to see women in leadership roles. Unfortunately, there are fewer women coaches today than before Title IX. Through the generosity of Scott Pioli and his family, we are working to change that.
The Scott Pioli & Family Fund for Women Football Coaches and Scouts was established in 2018, to fund dreams. To make it possible for more women football coaches and scouts to defy the gender gap, and go for their goals. The Fund provides direct financial assistance to women football coaches and scouts who have demonstrated potential. Supporting their development, education and training. Helping them take their careers to the next level in colleges, universities and the NFL.
Grant Deadlines
Anticipated Application Timeline
- January 10, 2024 – Applications open.
- May 1, 2024- Applications close.
- June 11, 2024 – Evaluation process is completed, all applicants notified of funding decision and grant agreements sent out.
*This timeline is subject to change.
Grant Eligibility
U.S. women football coaches or scouts in college or professional football who may be part-time coaches or scouts, graduate assistant coaches or scouts or professional coaches or scouts with demonstrated financial need.
Grant Criteria
Applications will be evaluated and grants will be awarded according to the following criteria:
- Financial need;
- Potential for advancement;
- Lack of support from traditional sources;
- Potential impact of grant on advancing women in college or professional football; and
- Contribution to greater visibility of women athletes
How would the receiving the grant affect compliance with my organization?
Coaches applying for funding are responsible for ensuring their requests falls within all rules and regulations of their governance organization(s).
Grant Allocation
Grants can be used for reimbursement of job-related expenses including housing expenses.
Grant Award
Grant amounts will range between $2,000-$10,000.
How to Apply
During the program application period, an authorized representative must visit Foundant GLM, the Women’s Sports Foundation’s grant-management system, and follow the directions to register a new user profile or update an existing profile. Limit one (1) profile per person/email address. Once your profile is registered, you will be able to save and submit your application on the website.
Please read carefully through the full eligibility requirements and program criteria before starting a Foundant account and applying. Applicants will be judged on what information is available or provided at the time of application submission.
2024 Recipients
| Kelly Cline | Assistant Defensive Backs Coach, University of Wisconsin, La Crosse |
| Ashley Cornwell | Assistant Offensive Line Coach and Run Game Analyst, Bucknell University |
| Lisa Horton | Offense Assistant Coach, Slippery Rock University |
About Scott Pioli
A three-time Super Bowl winner and five-time NFL executive of the year winner, Scott Pioli was named NFL Executive of the Decade by Sporting News and Sports Illustrated and named ESPN Personnel Executive of the Decade. Pioli is passionate about the importance of equality, education and the arts and focuses on those three cornerstones through several initiatives. Pioli most recently served as the assistant general manager for the Atlanta Falcons and currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE), The Women’s Intersport Network for Kansas City (WIN for KC) and the Black College Football Hall of Fame. Pioli also serves on the board for College for Every Student, a national nonprofit committed to underserved youth, most of whom will be first-generation college students. Pioli also founded the WIN for KC Pioli Scholarship, along with a number of academic scholarships geared toward first-generation college students. Pioli joined the Women’s Sports Foundation Board of Trustees in 2018.
Notification of Application Acceptance
You will receive an e-mail at the e-mail address provided in your profile when your application has been received.
Any application that is late, incomplete or requesting funds for an event or purchase of equipment that will occur before the applicant would receive the grant money will not be accepted.
Other conditions under which an application will not be accepted:
- Applications that are e-mailed or faxed
- Applications for programs that require compulsory religious participation
- Applications requesting funding towards the purchase of land, construction of buildings, event sponsorships, providing scholarships to individuals and/or the purchase/care of animals
- Applications requesting retroactive funding
Donate Now to the Scott Pioli & Family Fund
Contact
If you have questions about making a donation, please contact Jean Tatge: 646.813.7238 or JTatge@WomensSportsFoundation.org.
If, after reading the guidelines carefully you still have questions, please contact Morgan Powell: 516.307.3971 or MPowell@WomensSportsFoundation.org.
