• Apply for Equipment
  • Donate
Skip to content
  • Home
  • About
    • Mission, Vision, & History
    • What We Do
    • Our Team
    • Board of Directors
    • Partners
    • FAQs
    • Reports & Financials
    • Careers & Internships
  • Ways to Help
    • View All
    • Financial Donation
    • Donate Equipment
    • Volunteer Center
    • Partner With Us
    • Apply for Equipment
  • Volunteer Center
    • Baltimore, MD
    • Philadelphia, PA
    • Washington, DC
  • Our Impact
    • See Our Impact
    • Gender Equity
    • Gallery
  • Locations
    • Baltimore, MD
    • Philadelphia, PA
    • Washington, DC
  • News & Events
  • Contact
    • Contact Us
    • Get Involved
    • Apply for Equipment
    • FAQs
  • Apply for Equipment
  • Donate
  • Donation Bin Locator

Gender Equity

Leveling the Playing Field cares deeply about gender equity. It is our vision that all kids have access to the equipment they need to participate in youth sports and recreation. Below, please read about the work we are doing to increase access to sports for young women and girls.

Washington Coalition of Women’s Professional Sports

The Washington Coalition of Women’s Professional Sports (WCWPS) serves as a supportive organization for all women’s sports programs and professional clubs in the greater Washington, D.C. region. Driven by a mission to purposefully and significantly impact the Greater Washington community by connecting the region’s women’s professional sports teams through service-focused collaboration, the coalition is the first joint effort across these select teams. The Washington Coalition of Women’s Professional Sports seeks to kick off the next 50 years of Title IX with the intention of creating a prosperous future for women’s sports in the DMV. 


How You Can Help

  • Make a donation toward our sports bra fund
  • Purchase a sports bra from our Amazon Wish List

With over 17,000 under-resourced middle school and high school female athletes in the Greater Washington area, the WCWPS recognizes its position to empower women and girls in its community. In 2023, the WCWPS aims to distribute over 15,000 sports bras through their #KeepHerPlaying initiative. No athlete should be left on the sidelines due to equipment inequity and WCWPS hopes to bring this resource to schools and organizations, allowing everyone to participate.


About Leveling the Playing Field 

Leveling the Playing Field was founded in 2013 in response to the growing inequity between those that can afford to play sports and those that cannot, and the prominent role the cost of sporting goods has played in that gap. Leveling the Playing Field’s core mission is to redistribute equipment to expand access and equity within youth sports and recreation programs in under-resourced communities. With locations in Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Philadelphia, Leveling the Playing Field has collected and redistributed over $12 million worth of sports equipment to over 1,500 unique schools, sports leagues, and other programs serving kids in need.

About Washington Mystics 

The Washington Mystics is a professional women’s basketball team based in Washington, D.C. that competes in the Women’s National Basketball Association. Founded in 1998, the club is entering its 25th season in the WNBA and tenth with Mike Thibault at the helm as head coach and general manager. The Mystics moved to the brand new Entertainment and Sports Arena in southeast Washington, D.C. prior to the 2019 season, the same year the club won its first WNBA championship. Monumental Sports and Entertainment serves as owner of the club as well as its NBA counterpart, the Washington Wizards.

About Washington Spirit 

The Washington Spirit is a professional women’s soccer team that competes in the National Women’s Soccer League. The club was founded in 2011 as D.C. United Women before becoming a founding member of the NWSL in 2013 and rebranding as the Washington Spirit. Entering its tenth season in the NWSL, the club is coming off its first league championship and will split its home games between Audi Field in the Navy Yard neighborhood of Washington, D.C. and Segra Field in Leesburg, Virginia. Washington is led by head coach Kris Ward and new majority owner Y. Michele Kang. 

About D.C. Divas 

D.C. Divas is a professional women’s football team based in Springfield, Virginia that competes in the Women’s Football Alliance. Founded in 2000, the club is entering its 22nd season of competition and 12th as a part of the WFA. The club is managed by owner Rich Daniel and plays its home games at The St. James Sports Complex in Springfield. In the club’s 22-year history, it has claimed three league championships, one in 2006 as a member of the National Women’s Football Association and back-to-back titles in 2015 and 2016 as a part of the WFA. 

About D.C. Shadow 

D.C. Shadow is a women’s professional ultimate frisbee team based in Washington, D.C. that competes in the Premier Ultimate League. Founded as a part of the league’s 2020 expansion, the team heads into its second season with new head coach Sam Broaddus and assistant coaches John Agan and Geoff Horsfield.

Follow Us On Instagram:

The Girl's Lacrosse team @GroverMS hadn't been abl The Girl's Lacrosse team @GroverMS hadn't been able to field players due to them not having the proper equipment to play.

So, their coach made a visit to LPF Philadelphia and got his players cleats, helping them move at full speed with confidence. The cleats also allowed them to develop their dodges more precisely and perform at their best without restriction.

For these inner-city kids, being able to have cleats for the first time in their lives has helped these girls who'd never played an organized sport before.

"This has made them feel like their endeavor is special and meaningful," said Michael Galbraith.

#lpfphiladelphia #youthsports #levelingtheplayingfield #sports #kidsinsports #lpf #nonprofit #fyp
🚨 𝗙𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗕𝗶𝗻 𝗔𝗹𝗲𝗿𝘁!

We love seeing our donation bins full! 💚 We wanted to say 𝗧𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗞𝗦 to everyone that has donated to one our bins to help support our mission.

Click on the link 🔗 in our bio to find your nearest LPF bin‼️

#youthsports #levelingtheplayingfield #sports #kidsinsports #lpf #nonprofit #fyp
@sokidssoar, in the Greater Washington area, is a @sokidssoar, in the Greater Washington area, is a program that serves youth with disabilities. Many of them do not have access to sports equipment. In the past, they had to purchase their equipment limiting the allocation of funds elsewhere.

However, with a recent donation from LPF, they were able to bring back free baseball equipment to their players!

"Thank you for providing equipment for us to continue providing this adaptive baseball clinic, said Glenda Smith. We can now allocate these funds toward providing more clinics for our kids."

Thank you for letting us be a partner! A big shoutout to @sokidssoar for the 𝗔𝗪𝗘𝗦𝗢𝗠𝗘 video.

#lpfgreaterwashington #youthsports #levelingtheplayingfield #sports #kidsinsports #lpf #nonprofit #fyp
Through donations from LPF, @cityspringsschool was Through donations from LPF, @cityspringsschool was able to form its first softball team this year! They received bats, softballs, gloves, and more. They had their first game against Ft. Worthington and won‼️

"We were able to start our first ever softball season this year with 4th-8th grade players that had no previous experience," said Annie Owlett. Our catcher especially appreciated the protective gear, which allowed her to feel confident blocking the ball. We are so thankful to be able to play and to do it safely with proper gear!"

📸 Photo Credit: Max Hughes
Load More Follow on Instagram

Want To Help Get More Kids Involved?

See what you can do >
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
Join Our Mailing List
  • Copyright © 2023
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us