Gainbridge, Parity, and Women’s Sports Foundation® Launch Third Annual Grant Program Investing $250,000 in Girls and Women Through Sports and Education

May 14, 2026

Zionsville, Ind. (May 14, 2026) /SPORTSWIRE WOMEN/ – For the third consecutive year, Gainbridge^SM, a simple, safe way to save, is joining forces with Parity and the Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF^®) to invest in girls and women through sports and education – awarding $250,000 in grants to organizations across the country.

Through Gainbridge Assists Powered by Parity, Gainbridge, Parity, and WSF will award 30 grants of $5,000 – a number with deep meaning in women’s sports history. In 1974, Billie Jean King founded the Women’s Sports Foundation using a $5,000 check from her winnings. More than 50 years later, King’s impact continues through Gainbridge Assists. An additional two standout organizations will be selected for special grants.

Gainbridge Assists Powered by Parity is tied to Gainbridge’s mission to transform communities through sports and education. In 2025, the program awarded $227,000 in grants to 33 organizations and athletes across 21 states.

“Gainbridge Assists continues to prove that investing in girls and women through sports and education creates real, lasting impact in communities across the country,” said Derek Towriss, President of Gainbridge. “Each year, this program grows in reach and in results, and we have no intention of slowing down. I’m excited to see the difference this makes for the next generation of leaders in this space.”

Gainbridge commits more than 40% of its sponsorship dollars to women’s sports – far exceeding the national average. Gainbridge is the title sponsor of two major women’s sporting events, the Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge and The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican. The company’s elite roster of women ambassador athletes includes WNBA star Caitlin Clark, tennis icon Billie Jean King, two-time Olympic gold medalist and World Cup Champion Briana Scurry, 72-time LPGA Tour winner Annika Sörenstam, and Gainbridge Super League players.

“Gainbridge Assists is proof of what’s possible when partners align around a common purpose,” said Leela Srinivasan, CEO of Parity, a women’s sports consultancy focused on professional athlete partnerships. “Every dollar invested through this program opens doors for women and girls in sports and education. Parity works to close the gender income and opportunity gap in sports by connecting brands with a network of more than 1,400 professional women athletes, and Gainbridge Assists extends that mission by putting real resources behind the organizations and athletes.”

“What decades of research tell us is that sport is not just play, it’s one of the most transformative tools we have to build stronger leaders, improve health outcomes, and expand economic opportunity,” said Danette Leighton, CEO of the Women’s Sports Foundation, a nonprofit breaking barriers in sport to build greater opportunity for girls and women. “Through Gainbridge Assists, we’re seeing that insight put into action, with real investments opening doors for girls and women nationwide and empowering them to step onto the field and reach their full potential.”

How to Apply

Grant applications for Gainbridge Assists Powered by Parity are now open and will be accepted through July 10, 2026, at paritynow.com/gainbridge-assists.

Eligibility requirements:

• Organization focused on supporting girls and/or women in sports and/or education
• Located in the U.S.
• Implement the grant in November 2026 through an event that invests in the future of the girls and women in your organization
• Ability to share impact through storytelling and/or social media

For more information, visit paritynow.com/gainbridge-assists.