Statements

Mission

Play Like a Girl!® is a 501(c)3 charitable organization on a mission to level the playing field by leveraging the skills girls gain from sport to propel young women into competitive, male-dominated careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM+).

Background

Play Like a Girl was established in 2004 by cancer researcher and philanthropist Dr. Kimberly Clay for the purpose of advancing the health and empowerment of girls and women through education. Initially organized under a different name, the organization was rebranded and trademarked in 2012 and, today, champions girls by uniquely leveraging sport to prepare and equip young women with the leadership skills and competitive spirit essential for success both on the playing field and in the workplace. A background in sport can improve a young woman's leadership potential. Yet girls - especially those from underrepresented communities - drop out of sports at twice the rate of boys by age 14, causing an intergenerational cycle of poor physical and emotional health and tragically wasted potential.

Play Like a Girl helps women from all walks of life understand the importance of being good role models and mentors to girls, gives girls the opportunity to see themselves in these inspiring women, and maps the pathways for them toward a STEM career-starting in their pivotal middle school years. No matter what your girl decides to do when she grows up, STEM+ will play a huge role in her future. Our programs provide a best-in-class Play Like a Girl experience uniquely designed to provide middle school girls with educational opportunities and practical support to stay on a challenging academic track through high school and pursue post-secondary educational options leading to a career in STEM+.

Play Like a Girl's flagship program uses short-term, group mentoring to expose girls to a multitude of women role models and mentors in a variety of settings and formats including sports clinics, summer camps, after school clubs, makerspace workshops, industry field trips, and college visits. Scholars enjoy four incredible years at Play Like a Girl, learning to code, training as future scientists, and investigating cyber crimes among other things-all while making new friends and building their confidence and critical 21st Century leadership skills.

Impact

- Hired first full-time paid staff (Development Director)
- Connected nearly 800 girls with over 230 women mentors nationwide in our virtual classroom and live events
- Provided free computers and equipment to 125 girls in need
- Enhanced and scaled our STEM and sports programming

Needs

Support: Purchasing tickets and helping to spread the word about our yearly fundraising events.

Volunteer: Volunteer from anywhere by hand-writing thank you notes or helping out at special events.

Mentor: Girls today need more women at the table, speaking up about what matters to them - and all of us who aren't in the room. You don't need a certain degree, years of experience, or salary to get started. All you need is the drive to make change and the support to see it through. If you care about making this the last generation of firsts, you're qualified!

Donate: Your gift today is an investment in Play Like a Girl programs helping girls in Nashville and across the U.S. From making a one-time donation or donating monthly and becoming part of the SQUAD you are contributing to our mission to help girls realize their potential.

Partner: Contribute to our operations, programs, special events or the tools that make our work possible through corporate sponsorships. Rally your customers and employees to fundraise, volunteer and help spread the word through community outreach. Help shine a bigger spotlight on sports dropout among girls and the impact of our work by offering Play Like a Girl support through pro bono services.

CEO Statement

Hi there! I grew up in rural Mississippi years after the passing of Title IX but still had no options for participating in a sport or physical activity other than recess. While playing on the monkey bars was fun, it proved to not be enough to keep me motivated to be active. As I grew to love learning more, I also grew less interested in being outdoors or being physically active with my peers. Over years of seclusion inside with a book, I grew up to become the first in my family to receive a bachelors degree, two masters and, ultimately, a PhD in public health, go figure. Yet, after all of these accomplishments, I'd also grown to be morbidly obese. After several years as a public health advisor for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, I decided to do something that would change the course for girls growing up like me in rural communities across the South. I continued my public health career as a tenure-track professor, training the next generation of social workers and public health professionals all the while feeling a pull to take my work to the community. So in 2010, I left my career in academia to lead Play Like a Girl as its first full-time Executive Director without pay. Soon, my small passion project turned into a much bigger, broader effort to effect long-lasting change for girls everywhere. Today, the work continues but we need you to achieve our bold mission to inspire girls everywhere to lead happier, healthier lives by promoting sport and physical activity as a path to lifelong success. Will you join me? - Dr. Kim

Service Categories
Primary Category:	Youth Development  - Girls Clubs
Secondary Category:	Science & Technology  -
Tertiary Category:	Recreation & Sports  - Camps

Areas Served

Play Like a Girl is a Nashville-based charitable organization with national presence.

National