Gainbridge℠, Parity, and Women’s Sports Foundation Award $250,000 to Organizations Expanding Opportunity for Girls and Women

Fourth annual Gainbridge Assists program carries forward Billie Jean King’s legacy and reaches its widest geographic footprint yet – 20 states plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico – with first-ever grants in adaptive sports, juvenile justice, boxing, rowing, and skateboarding

Zionsville, Ind. (Sept. 3, 2026) – Gainbridge℠, Parity, and the Women's Sports Foundation (WSF^®) today named the 2026 grant recipients of Gainbridge Assists Powered by Parity, awarding $250,000 across 32 organizations expanding access to sports and education for girls and women nationwide.

The 2026 cohort spans 20 states plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico – with six states represented for the first time – and pushes the program's cumulative investment to almost $700,000 across 87 organizations.

Gainbridge Assists has become a force in advancing equity in sports, directly supporting grassroots leaders and community-based programs that use sport and education as a platform to build confidence, opportunity, and leadership.

What's New in 2026

This year's grant recipients reflect several notable firsts for the program. Four adaptive sports organizations join the class alongside the program's first-ever grantee serving girls in juvenile justice facilities. The 2026 group also includes inaugural grantees in boxing, rowing, and skateboarding, plus investments in STEM, robotics, and engineering education – a deliberate broadening of what sports and education for girls and women can look like.

“When we launched Gainbridge Assists, the goal was to put real dollars behind the organizations operating at the grassroots level,” said Group 1001 Chief of Sponsorship Strategy and Activation Mike Nichols. “Four years in, we're proud to be backing a nationwide cohort that reflects the full spectrum of what leadership on and off the field looks like – from adaptive sports programs to robotics, engineering, and STEM initiatives.”

The Billie Jean King $5,000 Tribute

Most grant recipients will receive $5,000 to fund an event, project, or new program that supports girls and women in sports and/or education – a figure chosen in tribute to Gainbridge ambassador and equality icon Billie Jean King, who founded the Women's Sports Foundation more than 50 years ago with a $5,000 check.

“Gainbridge is a leader in women’s sports around the world,” King said. “Gainbridge Assists demonstrates the importance of supporting grassroots organizations that serve girls and young women regardless of where they live or what they look like. These organizations are the ones doing the real work, and they are delivering a lasting impact in their communities."

Two special grants of $50,000 each will be awarded to City Parks Foundation (New York) and Wildchild Athletics (Michigan).

2026 Gainbridge Assists Grant Recipients

1. A Place Called Home (California) - Soccer, basketball, volleyball

2. Ability to Include (Florida) - Adaptive soccer

3. Baltimore City Department of Recreation and Parks (Maryland) - Adaptive sports

4. Bearcat Diamond Academy (Arkansas) - Softball

5. Black Girls Do Engineer (Texas) - Engineering

6. Box United (Illinois) - Boxing

7. Bras for Girls (Washington) - Equipment access

8. City Parks Foundation (New York) - Tennis

9. College Skateboarding Educational Foundation (California/New York) - Skateboarding

10. Dennis Tennis Serving Love (Florida) - Tennis

11. District Ice Rink Org (Washington, D.C.) - Ice skating

12. FIRST New Hampshire Robotics (New Hampshire) - Robotics

13. First Tee – Greater Wichita (Kansas) - Golf

14. First Tee – Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico) - Golf

15. Georgia Hi-Lo Trail (Georgia) - Cycling

16. Girls on the Run Greater Charlotte (and Carolina Ascent) (North Carolina) - Sports, leadership, and confidence

17. Life Beyond the Ball, Inc. (Texas) - Sports, education, and leadership summit

18. Matrix Heart Hustle Harmony Foundation (Georgia) - Flag football

19. New Shoe Day (Indiana) - Volleyball, shoe access

20. New Youth Leaders (New York) - Soccer, leadership

21. Phambili Sport Impact Foundation (Massachusetts) - Soccer, leadership, career development

22. Play Like a Girl (Tennessee) - STEM

23. Portland Plays Together (Oregon) - Football, coaching

24. PowerPlay NYC (New York) - Tennis

25. Rising Phoenix Sports Program (New York) - Youth development with sport for incarcerated girls

26. RIVERSPORT Foundation (Oklahoma) - Rowing

27. Snapfinger Elementary: Girls in Gear (Georgia) - STEM, racing

28. Special Olympics Idaho (Idaho) - Adaptive sports

29. ThruGUIDANCE (California) - Hockey

30. West Boulevard Neighborhood Coalition (North Carolina) - Well-being, holistic health

31. Wildchild Athletics (Michigan) - Flag football

32. Wisconsin Adaptive Sports Association (Wisconsin) - Adaptive sports

Most grant recipients will execute their events or projects in November 2026. For more information on Gainbridge Assists, visit https://www.paritynow.com/gainbridge-assists.

About Gainbridge

Gainbridge Insurance Agency, LLC (“Gainbridge”) was founded in 2018 as part of Group 1001 with a simple belief: people work hard for their money, and their money should work hard for them. We offer a simple, safe way to save for the future – with clear annuity products, no hidden fees, and support from licensed teammates whenever you need it. Gainbridge is headquartered in Zionsville, Indiana. Learn more at gainbridge.com or connect with us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and X.

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, 2026, Group 1001 Insurance had more than 1,500 employees and combined assets under management of $86.1 billion and provides over 540,000 active annuity contracts and life insurance policies. It comprises the following brands: Delaware Life, Gainbridge^SM, Clear Spring Life and Annuity Company, Clear Spring Property and Casualty Group, and the RVI Group, among others.

About Parity, a Group 1001 Company

Parity is a women’s sports consultancy specializing in professional athlete partnerships. With a mission to close the gender income and opportunity gap in sports, Parity connects brands with a diverse network of more than 1,600 pro women athletes across 85+ sports, including 300+ Olympians and Paralympians. Through athlete-led engagements, official community partnerships, women’s sports consulting, and custom research, Parity helps brands authentically engage the most trusted voices in sports today. For more information, visit www.paritynow.com 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.