Community partner will receive $20,000 to support organization initiatives

CHICAGO (November 20, 2021) – 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.

In addition to the award, the Black Future Co-op Fund will receive $20,000 to support their organization’s efforts.

“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.”

As part of the league-wide initiative, each team partnered with Nationwide to select one season-long community partner. Each community organization received a grant to support its program and serve as the focus of a team-led service project, with a designated player ambassador to champion the effort.

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.”

To learn more about the Black Future Co-op Fund, or to donate to their cause, please visit their website here.

COURTESY NWSL COMMUNICATIONS