Meet our Aerie Real Foundation Community Grant Winners!

Ability Online provides a fully accessible online community that gives youth people with disabilities a safe, secure, and positive online experience every time they log in. Our text based, fully accessible platform removes physical and social barriers which reduces the stigma associated with being different, increasing self-esteem and confidence. We promote independence and a better quality of life with learning and skills development geared towards each member’s unique needs. We connect members to role models and mentors with lived experience, to guide, inspire and support their journey towards meaningful community involvement. Above all, we promote respect, acceptance, and inclusion.

For over 50 years, Adagio Health has provided health, wellness, and nutrition services in Pennsylvania. With a primary focus on women’s health, services are also available to men, teens, the LGBTQ+ community, and other vulnerable groups at 8 medical offices and multiple WIC sites in western PA. Along with medical care, Adagio Health addresses food insecurity, prenatal and postpartum support, behavioral health, and social services. The organization leads breast and cervical cancer screenings in 62 counties along with wellness education and tobacco cessation throughout western PA. With partners like Aerie Real Foundation, Adagio Health is also working to ensure access to menstruation education and period products for women and girls in need.

Atalanta NYC is a New York City based nonprofit with a mission to support women in sport to find a healthy, long-lasting relationship with sport. We achieve this purpose by employing professional female runners to serve as mentors to kids in underserved parts of NYC. With an Aerie grant, we will bring free summer programming to our Bronx-based youth by supporting the salaries of our professional athletes who run the program. Our summer program gives us the opportunity to mentor these HS athletes in sport and beyond and gives them confidence they need to stay involved in sport year-round.

The Boise Bicycle Project promotes the personal, social, and environmental benefits of bicycling. With support from the Aerie Real Foundation, our FEM Night program provides an inclusive space where gender-expansive individuals can learn about their bikes and gain hands-on experience with bicycle mechanics. In the heavily male-dominated cycling industry, those of other identities often face barriers to entry. FEM Night aims to address these inequalities by offering free bicycle mechanic education, ensuring that everyone has access to essential skills and resources. This knowledge empowers participants to feel more confident in their riding and fosters a strong community where people from all backgrounds can connect within the cycling world.

Branch Brook Park Alliance is dedicated to enhancing the self-assurance of women, fostering an inclusive community, and safeguarding our planet. By engaging with underserved and underrepresented Newark residents, the alliance enhances well-being through organized community involvement. Funding support from the Aerie Real Foundation supports ongoing wellness programs that empower women of color to build a community centered around health and vitality, resulting in improved health outcomes while simultaneously preserving the 360-acre landscape work of art.

City Surf Project provides equitable access to the ocean, enabling youth to build physical and mental wellbeing, community, and connection to nature. We provide everything young people need to get in the water: transportation, equipment, nutritious snacks, and skilled instruction. Our year-round Youth Surfing program introduces young people to surfing in a safe and supportive environment to where they can be their authentic selves, explore new interests and lifestyles, build confidence, and connect to a supportive community. While not every student becomes a lifelong surfer, every student benefits from the feelings of belonging and accomplishment that CSP offers.

CODE4U‘s mission is to support and teach young females in undeserving schools struggling with financial issues and teacher shortages how to code in hopes that this opportunity will inspire a little girl and have them go into the world knowing their passion. STEM and coding is a largely male-dominated field and we would like to change that. If out of the girls that we teach in a class at least one could go on with a new love and dream, our goal will be complete. We also work closely with schools and provide support in other STEM subjects such as math.

The mission of Dignity Period is to impact period poverty around the globe by improving access to accurate menstrual information and distributing high-quality washable/reusable menstrual hygiene products. We are motivated by the belief that those who menstruate should do so with comfort and in dignity.

Gnome Surf empowers youth of all abilities through surf therapy and innovative holistic wellness programs. The Good Vibes Tribe is a surf leadership program for girls ages 12-17, fostering confidence and peer leadership. Supported by Aerie Real Foundation, this spring the Tribe will focus on mentorship and leadership training, helping girls develop skills to become Junior Instructors and role models. The program encourages young women to embrace their strengths, celebrate individuality, and lead with purpose, both in and out of the water, making them fearless leaders and community role models

Green Building Alliance (GBA), works within the built environment of Western PA to make every building and community more sustainable so that every person can thrive. Public events and introductory content open the door for curious citizens and provide the basics necessary for emerging into sustainability, trainings are offered to rising professionals, and advanced presentations feature industry innovations and the latest in sustainability.

GBA facilitates relationships and education through Membership and a variety of networks including Women+ In Green. Women+ In Green fosters personal and professional connections to support women and gender minorities working to make healthy and sustainable spaces.

Heading Home is a Greater Boston nonprofit that has helped more than 50,000 people on their journeys out of homelessness for the last 50 years. More than half of Heading Home housing programs are comprised of women and girls and 93% of single-parent households in emergency shelters are headed by mothers. With an emphasis on meeting people where they are, Heading Home builds confidence in women experiencing homelessness by providing housing, personalized case management, and supportive services that ensure they have the safety, stability, and support need to leave homelessness behind for good.

At NewBoCo, we’re making Iowa a place that supports business. From preparing students for the jobs of the future, to supporting job seekers, entrepreneurs, and business communities, everything we do is designed to make one thing clear: Iowa is ready for the future. Grant funding will support our Girls Who Code Clubs, which are hosted in Cedar Rapids, Iowa and support access and representation for 3rd-12th grade female-identifying students and their supporters to build a community around learning how to code. Our clubs focus on building foundational computer science skills in a fun, supportive environment while sharing future career opportunities.

Pennsylvania Women Work empowers women to find employment and economic self-sufficiency through life-changing career development programs and mentorship. In our 3 Cups of Coffee program, job-seekers are paired with a local volunteer mentor working in their desired career field. Mentors coach their mentees on the job search process, share industry insights and open doors to their professional networks. Through the 3 Cups of Coffee program, mentees build the tools, confidence and connections to find meaningful employment and a path to a brighter future.

Public Prep is a pioneering network of tuition-free, single-gender public charter schools that promotes academic excellence and character development to empower scholars toward college completion. The funding from the Aerie Real Foundation will support our “STEM for Girls Pilot,” targeting young women from underrepresented communities in the Bronx. This initiative aims to enhance their STEM education, encouraging participation in sustainability and environmental sciences. By fostering academic enrichment and confidence, we aim to inspire these young women to become advocates and leaders in sustainable practices, furthering inclusion and contributing to planetary protection.

The Special Olympics Nova Scotia Women’s Health and Sports Bra Program seeks to empower female athletes with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to more comfortably and confidently participate in sport. By providing appropriately fitted bras, this initiative removes a significant barrier to physical activity, promoting greater inclusion within sports and other physical activities. The program works to educate young women with IDD about body awareness and self-care, empowering them with knowledge and resources that foster inclusivity. By addressing unique needs and reducing health disparities, this demonstrates the profound impact of accessible, properly fitted bras on their lives.

St. Jude’s Ranch serves the needs of abused, abandoned and neglected children in Southern Nevada. We work with Child Haven and Southern Nevada’s Continuum of Care to provide residential therapeutic foster care (ages 0 to 18), pregnant and parenting teen housing and childcare assistance, transitional housing/rapid rehousing for youth ages 18 to 24, education/vocational assistance, sibling reunification for kids separated by foster care system involvement, and our Healing Center for children that survived trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. These funds will create a closet of clothing of various sizes, styles, colors and skin-tone complements for our Healing Center survivors.

The 525 was founded on the idea that art is a powerful way to bring together diverse peoples, promote underrepresented visions, and create a stronger community here in the Canadian prairies. We believe the enjoyment of art, often in galleries or museums, is inaccessibly priced for those new to art consumption and that there is an opportunity to cultivate emerging artists, emerging audiences, and unconventional spaces via highly accessible shows. Since the first ever show in September 2021, the 525 has hosted a total of eight shows and worked with over 40 different emerging artists from or based in Saskatchewan.

The Environmental Charter School’s initiative, “EmpowerHER: Building Strong Girls for a Stronger Future,” combines the research-based programs Strong Women, Strong Girls (SWSG), ROX, and Girls on the Run (GOTR) to support confidence, resilience, and community among girls. These programs foster self-worth, develop leadership skills, and cultivate supportive peer networks. SWSG and GOTR provide afterschool opportunities for girls to connect across grades, while ROX offers in-school support for 5th graders, focusing on academics, relationships, and career readiness. Our target includes girls from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, minority groups, and those with disabilities, ensuring all have the confidence and skills to thrive.

Since 2018, the Power of Girls has empowered middle school girls to become confident leaders and global citizens. Through a dynamic program, participants engage in a 3-day retreat focused on personal growth and leadership, followed by monthly skill-building sessions and small group mentoring. This fosters emotional intelligence, refines leadership skills, and cultivates self-confidence. The experience culminates in an international trip, broadening their horizons and reinforcing self-worth. Aligned with the Aerie Real Foundation’s mission, the program provides tools to manage stress, build healthy relationships, and navigate societal pressures, ultimately empowering them to thrive.

Tree San Diego is dedicated to enhancing urban forests for the benefit of all communities and the environment. Our Treejectory program specifically empowers young women by providing equitable access to urban forestry education and workforce development. With this funding, we will offer paid training and job placement opportunities to residents of communities of concern, helping to bridge the gender gap in forestry. Additionally, Treejectory addresses climate change by planting 200 trees and fostering sustainable career pathways. By building confidence in women, promoting inclusion, and protecting our planet, we align with the Aerie Real Foundation’s commitment to a healthier, more resilient future.

For over 30 years, Independent Health Foundation has been reaching Western New York families, raising awareness, and providing education through health and wellness programs. Our Soccer for Success Buffalo: Girls in the Game program is a free-to-play girls-only soccer initiative that builds critical life skills and fosters confidence within girls through the positive impact of sports and female coaches who serve as role models. With the support of Aerie Real FoundationTM, Girls in the Game will provide every participant with “girl empowerment” kits, which contain items such as sports bras, performance hijabs, female hygiene products, and guided journals.

Outreach Teen & Family Services is a community-based counseling agency, serving the mental health needs of children/teens/young adults from 5-21, as well as their parents and families. In addition to our counseling services, we provide programs that are focused on education, prevention and intervention, working with schools and community groups to empower those we serve. The Body Project provides a forum for high school aged girls to confront unrealistic appearance and beauty ideals, with the ultimate goal of engaging them to develop healthy body image and self-esteem.

Project Always Receiving organization empowers Philadelphia’s youth and families through programs focused on education, wellness, and community support. We offer resources like hygiene supplies, fresh produce, mental health outreach, and internships, particularly for young women from underserved communities. This funding will allow us to expand our initiatives, including a “farm-to-table” program, mental health support, and skill-building classes like fashion and design. These efforts aim to build confidence in young women, create an inclusive community space, and promote sustainability by educating participants on environmental stewardship and healthy living practices.

Riley’s Way invests in and supports emerging leaders, ages 13-23, who have an idea to make their community a better, kinder place. Our young leaders, 75% of whom identify as young women, and 63% as BIPOC, run social and environmental impact projects across the country. Empathy and kindness are often overlooked as critical leadership qualities — we’re changing that. AERIE funding would support our programs, where we teach effective leadership skills by being a kind, empathetic, inclusive, and community-focused changemaker. Our programs equip young people with the tools to become kind leaders who build meaningful communities and a more sustainable world.

Special Olympics Pennsylvania provides year-round sports training and competition for individuals with intellectual disabilities, empowering them to develop physical fitness, build confidence, and foster friendships through inclusion in sports. SOPA serves over 15,000 athletes across Pennsylvania, offering a wide range of sports. One of SOPA’s key programs is Unified Bocce, where athletes with and without intellectual disabilities compete together as teammates. Unified Bocce promotes inclusion, teamwork, and sportsmanship in schools and communities, creating a positive environment where athletes learn from each other while striving for personal and competitive success. Unified sports foster a culture of acceptance and respect.

Summer Search is a youth development organization whose mission is to create greater equity and expand the academic, professional, and financial pathways available to students of color and low-income communities through mentoring and transformative experiences. The Aerie Real Foundation will support summer programming, allowing our young women and gender-expansive youth to attend summer experiential adventures, such as wilderness experiences in Shenandoah National Park and service trips to Nepal. Summer Experiences are designed to be transformative encounters that build confidence, support mental well-being, and empower our youth to think expansively about themselves and their relationships with the world and their communities.

EDF has been growing steadily in its dual focus on education (breaking the silence) and support (rebuilding lives). It is a free, non-clinical resource in Colorado – one of very few – that is accessible to everyone. EDF’s community support and education programs are designed to offer a message that reassures all who come through our doors that “You are Not Alone.” EDF has provided a platform to voice struggles and support, to connect individuals and bring about awareness, to shift misinformed opinions and relieve the stigmas associated with eating disorders.

The Hidden Opponent is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and advocacy group that raises awareness for student-athlete mental health and addresses the stigma within sports culture. Our cornerstone initiative, The Campus Captains program, is an educational ambassadorship program that reaches all 50 states and various international locations. Student-athletes serve as ambassadors of our mission on their unique high school and college campuses. Aerie’s funding will be used within our Campus Captains to provide over 500 ambassadors this year with free mental health resources, training, and tools to advocate for positive change on their campus.

Todos Juntos provide no-cost ESL and Workforce Development education for adult immigrants and refugees. Because we specialize in supporting women, who are typically primary caregivers, we provide zero-cost, onsite childcare to eliminate one of the biggest barriers most women immigrants face in accessing opportunities. We are helping immigrants to build skills and confidence in their English language and workforce skills so that they are able to pursue their own educational and career goals. Todos Juntos Learning Center has been a fixture in our city and community for 16 years.

Women Aware is the lead state-designated domestic violence agency for Middlesex County, New Jersey, providing multilingual comprehensive services for victims of domestic violence and their children. Our services are free, confidential and available to any victim. Funding from The Aerie Real Foundation will support project staffing for our Luz de Esperanza, “Light of Hope,” project, Women Aware’s Spanish-speaking support group, which serves as a hopecentered and trauma-informed therapeutic environment for victim-survivors moving beyond abuse. The project empowers individuals in a supportive environment that allows women and children to make connections, learn from their peers, build confidence and begin to heal.