RWJF Sports Award

The Dance Institute of Washington is the leading minority-led, pre-professional dance equity organization in Washington, D.C., whose efforts impact and inspire racial and economic equity in dance locally, nationally and across the globe.

Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation is using its platform and programs to tackle the most pressing problems facing Los Angeles with a mission to improve education, healthcare, homelessness, and social justice for all Angelenos.

Make the World Better, founded in 2014 by former Eagles player Connor Barwin, connects people and inspires stewardship through public space revitalization projects in Philadelphia.

Move United provides national leadership and opportunities for individuals with disabilities to develop independence, confidence, and fitness through participation in community sports, including competition, recreation and educational programs.

YEAH! YOGA teaches culturally accessible, trauma informed and healing focused yoga and mindfulness to youth involved with or affected by the carceral system.

All Girl Everything Ultimate Program (AGE UP) builds healthy communities by engaging South Seattle youth of color through their love of ultimate frisbee and their commitment to equity and social justice.  

Border Youth Tennis Exchange (BYTE) is a binational youth development organization that offers professional tennis instruction and academic enrichment to kids ages 8–12 on both sides of the U.S./Mexico border in Nogales, Arizona and Nogales, Sonora (Mexico).

Running Medicine offers family-oriented walking and running programs for Native Americans in Albuquerque creating a Culture of Health that is available to all people regardless of ability, age, fitness level or ability to pay.

Soccer in the Streets has reframed health equity around transit hubs in the inner city by repurposing unused land in the heart of Atlanta to be more inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.

The United States Association of Blind Athletes (USABA) uses adaptive sports to assist and support individuals who are blind and visually impaired.

Operation Get Active, a youth-focused health initiative of the Chattanooga Football Club Foundation, uses soccer to encourage individuals to live active, healthy lifestyles.

The MaliVai Washington Youth Foundation (MWYF) develops champions in classrooms, on tennis courts, and throughout communities.

Figure Skating in Harlem (FSH) combines the power of education with access to the artistic and athletic discipline of figure skating to help girls of color thrive and become strong leaders. Read the blog post.

The Washington Nationals Youth Baseball Academy supports underserved children and their families in Washington, D.C., combining sports, nutrition, academics, and meaningful civic engagement.

After representing the U.S. Men’s National Team in the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Tony Sanneh established The Sanneh Foundation (TSF) in 2003 to advance diversity, equity, and community well-being for Minnesota's youth.

Soccer Without Borders runs year-round youth development programs in underserved areas in the United States and abroad, building a more inclusive world through soccer.

The Giants Community Fund collaborates with the San Francisco Giants by using baseball as a forum to encourage underserved youth and their families to live healthy, productive lives. Watch their video.

The Moyer Foundation (now Eluna) provides comfort, hope, and healing to children and families affected by grief and addiction by addressing critical their needs and overwhelming emotions associated with the death of someone close to them or substance abuse in their family. Watch their video. 

PeacePlayers International uses the power of sport to unite, educate and inspire young people to create a more peaceful world.

The Flutie Foundation helps people with autism get access to care, lead more active lifestyles, and grow toward adult independence. Watch their video.

The MLSE Foundation believes all kids should have access to sport and the opportunity to both develop and pursue lasting dreams on the playing field. Watch their video.

InnerCity Weightlifting reduces youth violence by connecting proven-risk young people with new networks and opportunities, including meaningful career tracks in and beyond personal fitness. Read related blog post.

Chicago Fire Foundation's programs—P.L.A.Y.S. and Premier Skills—have allowed them to help build healthier communities and provide safe play spaces for those in need.

The Tony Hawk Foundation provides spaces for children to be active, maintain a healthy lifestyle, play safely and use sports to increase self-esteem and leadership skills. Watch their video.

Doc Wayne Youth Services' work fuses sport and therapy to heal and strengthen youth suffering from a variety of mental health challenges. Watch their video and read the related blog post.