Grants honor Billie Jean King’s legacy and help power the next generation of leaders in sports and education

Gainbridge^®, Parity, and the Women’s Sports Foundation^® (WSF^®) today announced the 2025 recipients of the Gainbridge^® Assists Powered by Parity grant program, awarding $222,000 in funding to 32 deserving organizations and athletes across 21 states. These grants aim to level the playing field and expand access to sports and education for girls and women across the country.

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The Gainbridge® Assists Powered by Parity grants are inspired by Billie Jean King, who founded the Women’s Sports Foundation® over 50 years ago with a $5,000 check.

Now in its third year, Gainbridge Assists has become a force in driving equity in sports, directly supporting grassroots leaders, elite athletes, and community-based programs that use sport as a platform to build confidence, opportunity, and leadership. This year’s recipients represent a diverse network of changemakers – from Paralympians and Olympians to grassroots organizations and student-led non-profits – working to promote access and equity for girls and women in sports and education.

“Gainbridge Assists continues to grow in reach and resonance levels, supporting changemakers who are breaking down barriers and fostering participation and leadership,” said Group 1001 Chief of Sponsorship Strategy and Activation Mike Nichols. “The impact goes far beyond the numbers. It’s about investing in equity, access, and the belief that every girl deserves a shot at her dreams.”

Each grant recipient will receive $5,000 for an event or project that supports girls and women in sports and/or education. This grant is in honor of Gainbridge ambassador, sports icon, and equality champion, Billie Jean King, who founded WSF over 50 years ago with a $5,000 check.

A special $50,000 grant will be awarded to the Turnstone Center for Children and Adults with Disabilities, an organization that embodies the spirit of inclusion and accessibility that drives this program. The Caitlin Clark Foundation, founded by Gainbridge ambassador and WNBA star Caitlin Clark, will receive a special $22,000 grant, recognizing its work to uplift youth through education, nutrition, and sports.

“This is an opportunity for each of the organizations to make a huge difference for the next generation of girls and women,” said King. “It's great to see that Gainbridge continues to level the playing field through their sponsorship of women's sports and beyond, especially at a grassroots level.”

From more than 380 applications, more than double the number received in 2024, the following 2025 grant recipients have been selected:

1. Athletes for Hope & Bras for Girls, Calif.
2. Belton Drive Foundation, Ga. (Parity athlete Alexis Belton, World Long Drive Tour Champion)
3. Black Girls Do Bike, Pa.
4. Bronx Lacrosse, N.Y.
5. Caitlin Clark Foundation, Iowa
6. Camino United, N.C.
7. CKP Athletics, Iowa (Parity athlete Chelsea Poppens, former WNBA)
8. Design FC, Ind. and Pa.
9. DivineTime Academy, Calif. (Parity athlete Luca Deza, former professional soccer player)
10. Equal Access to Training (E.A.T.), Mich.
11. Fisk University Women’s Athletics, Tenn.
12. Girls in Gear, Washington, D.C. (Parity athlete Allysa Seely, Paralympic gold medalist in Paratriathlon)
13. Girls in Sport, Utah (Parity athlete Tricia Mangan, alpine skier)
14. Girl Made Sports, N.Y.
15. Girls on the Run of Central NJ, N.J.
16. Hoosier Sport, Ind.
17. I GOT THIS Foundation, Ariz.
18. International Tennis Hall of Fame, R.I.
19. Netball America, various locations
20. No Limits Coaching by Wandy Larsen, Texas (Parity athlete Wendy Larsen, handcyclist)
21. P1440 Foundation, Ariz.
22. Project Period Indy, Ind.
23. Saga Ventures, Calif. and Kans. (Parity athlete Alison Tetrick, cyclist)
24. Six Four 3 LLC, Va. (Parity athlete Jessica Warren, AUSL)
25. STEM for Her, Md.
26. Student ACES, Fla.
27. The Skills Center, Inc., Fla.
28. Throw Like a Girl, Calif. (Parity athlete Elena Bruckner, two-time USTFCCCA All-American)
29. Ticket to Dream Foundation, various locations
30. Ting Cui, Md. (Parity athlete, figure skater)
31. Turnstone Center for Children and Adults with Disabilities, Ind.
32. ZGiRLS, Wash.

In 2024, the program awarded $172,000 in grants to 22 recipients. That funding helped more than 5,000 girls and women pursue their athletic and academic goals, a number expected to grow significantly with this year’s expanded funding, reach, and recipient pool.

Grant recipients will execute their events or projects in November 2025. For more information on Gainbridge Assists, visit https://paritynow.co/gainbridge-assists.

About Gainbridge^®

Founded in 2018, Gainbridge Insurance Agency, LLC (“Gainbridge^®”) is an insurtech subsidiary of Group 1001 that empowers consumers to take control of their financial future with solutions that are accessible to everyone, no matter their budget or financial knowledge. Its platform provides access to financial products that are simple, intuitive, and backed by smart technology with no complexity or hidden fees. Gainbridge is headquartered in Zionsville, Indiana. For more information, visit www.gainbridge.com or follow and connect with us on X and LinkedIn.

About Group 1001

Group 1001 Insurance Holdings, LLC (“Group 1001 Insurance” or “Group 1001”) is a collective that empowers companies to create positive growth. Our insurance and annuities are easy to understand and accessible to all. Our online investing platform gives individuals control over their savings. Our technology and innovation help companies succeed. And our strategic partnerships bring people together through education and sports.

As of March 31, 2025, Group 1001 had more than 1,500 employees and combined assets under management of approximately $68.5 billion and currently provides over 496,000 active annuity contracts and life insurance policies. It comprises the following brands: Delaware Life, Gainbridge^®, Clear Spring Life and Annuity Company, Clear Spring Property and Casualty Group, Clear Spring Health, and the RVI Group, among others.

About Parity

Parity is the leading platform for professional women athlete partnerships. With a mission to close the gender income gap in sports and beyond, Parity connects brands with a diverse network of more than 1,100 women athletes from 85 sports. Through sponsorship activations, content collaborations, and strategic advisory, Parity helps brands authentically engage the most trusted voices in sports today. For more information, visit www.paritynow.co, or follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn.

About the Women’s Sports Foundation

The Women’s Sports Foundation^® (WSF^®) exists to enable girls and women to reach their potential in sport and life. We are an ally, an advocate, and a catalyst for tomorrow’s leaders. Founded by Billie Jean King in 1974, we are one of the first organizations to recognize the powerful connection between sports access, equity, and society. For over 50 years, WSF has been changing the game through its research, advocacy, and community programming, investing over $115 million to help girls and women play, compete, and lead – in sports and beyond – without barriers. A leader and champion of the entire women’s sports ecosystem, WSF amplifies the vital societal and cultural impact that is made when girls and women play sports. When girls play, they lead, and we all win!™ To learn more about the Women’s Sports Foundation^®, please visit www.WomensSportsFoundation.org.

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“Gainbridge Assists continues to grow in reach and resonance levels, supporting changemakers who are breaking down barriers and fostering participation and leadership,” said Group 1001 Chief of Sponsorship Strategy and Activation Mike Nichols.