OL Reign, Black Future Co Op Fund win Nationwide Community Impact Award
National Women’s Soccer League, Nationwide honor organizations for philanthropic work in Washington
To close out its first season as an official sponsor of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), Nationwide presented the inaugural Nationwide Community Impact Award to OL Reign and its designated community partner, Black Future Co Op Fund. The philanthropic organization provides education, opportunity and funding through grants to local black-owned businesses, nonprofits, associations and other groups across the state of Washington. The organizations were honored during halftime of the 2021 NWSL Championship match between the Washington Spirit and the Chicago Red Stars.
In honor of their charitable collaboration, Black Future Co Op Fund received a $20,000 donation from Nationwide to further the efforts of their program/initiative.
During the season, Dani Weatherholt championed the effort to continue to raise awareness – which the team wears proudly on their home and away kits - and organize team-led efforts for fundraising, mentoring and continued conversations to grow the newly established fund.
“OL Reign and the Black Future Co-op Fund are a winning partnership to confront anti-Blackness and promote a liberated future for Black Washingtonians,” said T’wina Nobles, one of the architects of the Black Future Co-op Fund and Washington state senator. “Our gratitude to the National Women’s Soccer League and Nationwide for this Community Impact Award, which will go towards our efforts to build Black wealth, health, and well-being.”
“We’re proud to name the OL Reign and the Black Future Co-Op Fund as our first-ever Nationwide Community Impact Award winners,” said Ramon Jones, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Nationwide. “The Black Future Co-op Fund is an extraordinary model of empowerment and education, and it’s an honor to recognize this partnership and the invaluable work being done to support the Black community in Washington.”
Several other Nationwide’s Community Impact ambassadors were also honored for their off-the-field leadership as Darian Jenkins, Jessica McDonald and Addisyn Merrick joined Nationwide for the halftime recognition.
The 2021 Community Impact partnerships and player ambassadors are celebrated in this video.
Team | Community Partner | Player Ambassador |
Chicago Red Stars | Share Our Spare | Sarah Gorden |
Houston Dash | Boys & Girls Club of Greater Houston | Jamia Fields |
Kansas City | Kanbe’s Market | Darian Jenkins |
North Carolina Courage | A Place at the Table | Jessica McDonald |
NJ/NY Gotham FC | Caresparc Community Connections | Imani Dorsey |
OL Reign | Black Future Co Op Fund | Dani Weatherholt |
Orlando Pride | To Write Love on Her Arms | Ali Krieger |
Portland Thorns FC | Adelante Mujeres | Rocky Rodriguez |
Racing Louisville FC | Dare to Care Food Bank | Addisyn Merrick |
Washington Spirit | The Youth Leadership Foundation | Tori Huster |