OL Reign, Black Future Co-op Fund Win Inaugural Nationwide Community Impact Award

The National Women’s Soccer League in partnership with Nationwide announced today that OL Reign and the Black Future Co-op Fund have been named the 2021 recipients of the inaugural Nationwide Community Impact Award, a season-long, community-focused initiative that promotes community partners and local service projects chosen and led by each NWSL club.

As part of the league-wide initiative, each NWSL team partnered with Nationwide to select one season-long community partner. Each community organization received a grant $2,500 to support its program and serve as the focus of a team-led service project. After the fan voting portion of the competition was over, the Black Future Co-op Fund received an additional $2,500 because of the incredible engagement from OL Reign fans on social media.

In addition to winning the 2021 award, the Black Future Co-op Fund will receive $20,000 to support their organization’s efforts, earning a grand total of $25,000 in grants from Nationwide.

“OL Reign and the Black Future Co-op Fund are a winning partnership to confront anti-Blackness and promote a liberated future for Black Washingtonians,” said T’wina Nobles, one of the architects of the Black Future Co-op Fund and Washington State Senator. “Our gratitude to the National Women’s Soccer League and Nationwide for this Community Impact Award, which will go towards our efforts to build Black wealth, health, and well-being.”

Created by and for Black Washingtonians, the Black Future Co-op Fund’s vision is a Washington state, working cooperatively, where all Black people are liberated, prosperous, and self-determined to fully live their lives. The Black Future Co-op Fund connects Black communities for collective power, promoting a truthful Black narrative, investing in Black-led solutions for generational prosperity, and shifting the paradigm of philanthropy. On the first anniversary of George Floyd’s murder, the Fund announced its first $1 million in grants to 40 Black-led organizations working across Washington that are leading powerful work to further Black liberation.

“We’re proud to name the OL Reign and the Black Future Co-op Fund as our first-ever Nationwide Community Impact Award winners,” said Ramon Jones, EVP and Chief Marketing Officer at Nationwide. “The Black Future Co-op Fund is an extraordinary model of empowerment and education, and it’s an honor to recognize this partnership and the invaluable work being done to support the Black community in Washington.”

OL Reign’s designated player ambassador to champion these efforts was midfielder Dani Weatherholt.

“When I heard the news that we won I actually screamed I was so happy,” said Weatherholt. “Thank you Nationwide for this incredible partnership. I truly enjoyed learning about all the community partnerships across the league.”

“There were so many deserving candidates for this award, but to have worn the Black Future Co-op Fund on our jersey all year long and get to award them with this $20,000 contribution means the world to our organization. I am just very grateful. I know this money is going to be used to empower so many people.  I hope this ambassador program is the start to a long and meaningful partnership,” said Weatherholt.

OL Reign would like to extend a special thanks to Nationwide for supporting our community partner, the Black Future Co-op Fund and our shared commitment to make a positive impact in the community, on and off the field.

In addition, OL Reign would like to recognize the incredible support from fans. The unwavering support for not only in the Nationwide Community Impact initiative but of our community partner, the Black Future Co-op Fund, all season long, has been tremendous.