“To truly succeed – whether it’s at a sport or at your job or in life – you have to be willing to do the hard work, overcome the challenges, and make the sacrifices it takes to be the best at what you do.”

- Ronda Rousey, pro wrestler & Olympic medalist

It’s Our 20th Anniversary!!!

Celebrating the Shelley Glover Foundation’s Impact & Legacy…

Empowering Lives

Promoting athletic activities and competition for youth of all ages and abilities. Investing in Shelley’s dream that all kids have a chance to play sports.

Building Community

Supporting youth athletic opportunities and competition through innovative programs and community partnerships that expand access to sports.

Changing Futures

Collaborating with diverse community partners to prepare youth for the future’s complex problems through education and athletics.

Two decades of amazing history and success under our belts…

  • We lost our lovely Shelley on March 14, 2003, but her spirit and strength have lived on through our Foundation’s work.

  • We’ve cultivated strong relationships over the years, building credibility and a wide network of support with groups like the Boys & Girls Club and U.S. Ski Team.

  • We’ve leveraged these important relationships to continuously and successful fundraise over the years.

  • We’ve given out over 200 ski scholarships to talented young athletes in both Michigan and Wisconsin.

  • We’ve provided broad support of swim programs for low-income youth throughout Madison, WI.

  • We’ve invested in additional special projects such as a new weight room at Madison West High School.

    Woooohoo! We did it. It took a Village. Now… take a deep breath (or two).

Looking Ahead to the Next 20 Years…

We’re Ready to Raise the Bar!

As the 20th anniversary of Shelley’s passing and the launch of the Shelley Glover Foundation (“SGF”) has approached, we’ve embraced the opportunity to revisit our mission, vision, and values and to brainstorm about where we want to go next. In doing so, a few fascinating facts have stood out to us:

  • Throughout history, female athletes have grappled with disparities in popularity when compared to their male counterparts. They have endured unequal funding, as well as open discrimination and even sexism. Furthermore, women have been glaringly underrepresented in pivotal sport institutions, decision-making bodies, and leadership positions in sports. (AISTS, Nov 2023)

  • Experts attribute these challenges to the unequal support for girls’ and boys’ participation in sports from a young age. Research reveals that girls between the ages of 6 and 9 exhibit equal interest in sports as boys. However, by age 14, girls drop out of sports at a rate six times higher than boys. Researchers contend this stems from the differential reinforcement girls and women receive regarding their participation in sports.

  • Conversely, other studies underscore the profoundly positive effects of practicing sports on girls, enhancing their confidence, self-esteem, and critical skill development. Accordingly, support for young female athletes proves as important for their development, just as it is for boys.

  • It’s true more women play sports now, but only 3% of sports leadership positions are occupied by women, while the Olympic Movement sets that goal at 30%. (Women Lead Sports) We desperately need more female coaches in ALL sports. Many of these women will go on to become powerful leaders in their chosen careers & communities as well!

THE SHELLEY GLOVER FOUNDATION ASPIRES TO BE AT THE FOREFRONT OF THE CULTURAL AND SOCIAL MOVEMENT TO ELEVATE THE STATUS OF WOMEN IN SPORTS!

In light of this, our NEW funding priorities will be:

  • Developing ATHLETES

    SGF will fund organizations that are advancing the lives of girls and women through sports & physical activity, especially in underserved communities.

  • Developing LEADERS

    SGF will fund organizations that are developing, connecting, and championing girls and women to become a powerful influence in sports, especially as coaches.

  • Developing PARTNERS

    SGF will fund and collaborate with sister organizations doing similar work in this sphere, helping to advance their innovative programs and research.

Let’s work together

Interested in collaborating? Fill out some info, and we’ll be in touch shortly! We can't wait to hear from you!

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Donate

We can’t do this alone. We need YOU! Please make a donation of any size and help us level the playing field by increasing participation, support, and investment in girl’s and women's sports. Together, we can empower more young female athletes to succeed in both sports and LIFE!