CIVIC LEADERSHIP
Our mission is to develop our athletes as civic leaders and elevate them as role models for the next generation of athletes and fans. In doing so, we aim to create a community of athletes and fans who recognize that the qualities that lead to excellence on the field are the same qualities that create strong civic leaders and participants in civic life.
Athlete Causes
The Athlete Causes program provides our athletes with a platform and resources to support their development as civic leaders. We’ve partnered with Give Lively and the Give Lively Foundation to allow athletes to play for a cause and organization of their choice. The Give Lively Foundation makes a donation on behalf of the athlete, matching 50% of the athlete’s end-of-season bonus.
Racial Equity Working Group
Formed after the killing of George Floyd, the Racial Equity Working Group is made up of staff and players from each Athletes Unlimited sport to discuss its approach to racial equity and justice, and discuss the many ways in which they can help build equity within the organization and community. The group launched #BecomingUnlimited in 2021, which highlights the talents of BIPOC girls and young women in sports. It not only looks for players who are talented in their respective sports, but also who are active leaders on their teams and in their communities.
POWER IN MY VOICE
In 2022, Athletes Unlimited launched “Power in My Voice,” our voter engagement campaign to inspire voter participation, demonstrate that there is power in every person’s voice, and encourage fans to exercise their power through their vote and other forms of civic engagement. Whether it is speaking up for a cause, standing up for your teammates and peers, or helping out in your community, everyone can have an impact through their actions.
Voter Tools
In 2020, Athletes Unlimited forged partnerships with Rally The Vote, When We All Vote and More Than A Vote. By the end of the year, Athletes Unlimited announced that 98% of our softball players and 100% of our volleyball players had registered to cast their vote in the 2020 election.
In 2022, we’re working with VOTE.org and diving deeper into voter engagement work in Texas with the help of the Texas Working Group.
VOTE.org has provided us with digital voter tools to help our athletes and fans ensure they have the tools to make their voice heard.
- Register to vote
- Check if you’re registered to vote
- Request an Absentee Ballot
- Pledge to Register to Vote
Partnerships
We’ve partnered with youth organizations to create opportunities for our athletes to model and demonstrate civic leadership in their interactions with young athletes.
Softball 2021: Little League
Lacrosse 2021: CityLax & Harlem Lacrosse
Volleyball 2021: Starlings Volleyball USA
Basketball 2022: Special Olympics
Civic Leadership Award
The Civic Leadership Award is a way to recognize Athletes Unlimited athletes’ year-round civic leadership efforts. This award reflects our mission to elevate our athletes on and off the field. Any Athletes Unlimited athlete playing in a season of the award year who has demonstrated civic leadership both in season and in their off-season is eligible for this award.
Policies that support our athletes
To support our athletes we provide child care to our athletes in market and have a progressive pregnancy and parental leave policy.