December 05, 2025
At the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation (AAACF), we believe that when women and girls thrive, entire communities flourish. That’s why we’re proud to announce the conversion of the Academy for Sport Leadership Endowment Fund into the newly established Washtenaw Women & Girls Fund - a permanent endowment dedicated to advancing the full participation, empowerment, and leadership of women and girls across Washtenaw County.
Building on a Legacy of Leadership
For more than two decades, the Academy for Sport Leadership (TASL) has inspired young women to lead, both on and off the field. Founded to attract and empower women in the coaching profession, TASL created opportunities for hundreds of apprentice coaches and interns to develop confidence, teamwork, and leadership skills that extend far beyond sports.
In 2004, a committed TASL supporter established the TASL Endowment Fund to ensure the Academy’s long-term success. Managed by AAACF, the fund has steadily supported programs that help young women find their voices and step into leadership roles.
Today, that same spirit of empowerment lives on through the Washtenaw Women & Girls Fund, expanding its reach to uplift women and girls in every aspect of life, from education and entrepreneurship to health, the arts, and civic engagement.
Advancing Equity for Generations to Come
The Washtenaw Women & Girls Fund is more than a name change; it’s a renewed commitment to the ongoing work of gender equity and opportunity in our community.
Through strategic grantmaking and advocacy, the fund will support programs that:
- Promote systemic change by addressing policies and practices that affect women and girls
- Encourage self-sufficiency by helping organizations and initiatives that strengthen economic independence
- Expand opportunity by increasing the range of choices and pathways available to women and girls
- Elevate women’s leadership by giving high priority to organizations where women are the primary decision-makers
As AAACF President & CEO Shannon Polk emphasized, the launch of the Washtenaw Women & Girls Fund represents a continuation of the Foundation’s long-standing commitment to equity and empowerment. She noted that this new fund not only honors the leadership legacy established through TASL but also broadens the Foundation’s vision for the future, one where women and girls across Washtenaw County have the resources, opportunities, and support to realize their full potential.
A Vision for the Future
The Washtenaw Women & Girls Fund will support initiatives that remove barriers, build confidence, and foster lasting change throughout the County. By investing in the social, economic, and emotional well-being of women and girls, we are investing in the future of the area overall.
Whether by providing mentorship for young women entering STEM fields, supporting artists who use their voices for change, or funding programs that strengthen family stability and leadership pipelines, the Washtenaw Women & Girls Fund will serve as a catalyst for progress.
How You Can Create Lasting Impact
The Washtenaw Women & Girls Fund is now open to receive gifts, and your support can make a real difference.
Every contribution, large or small, helps create opportunities that uplift and empower women and girls throughout Washtenaw County. By joining us in this effort, you help continue a legacy that began with the Academy for Sport Leadership and now extends to every woman and girl striving for equity, opportunity, and a brighter future.
Together, we can create lasting change, one investment, one opportunity, and one empowered voice at a time.
Learn more or make a gift to the Washtenaw Women & Girls Fund at https://aaacf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create/fund?funit_id=3280
AAACF Announces the Establishment of the Washtenaw Women & Girls Fund
Check out the full press release about the Establishment of the Washtenaw Women & Girls Fund HERE. To share this press release through your publication channels, please access any of the following: