Girls LEAD Giving Circle
EMPOWERING GIRLS TO LEAD WITH CONFIDENCE IN EVERY ARENA
At New York Edge, we believe every girl deserves the opportunity to lead, grow, and thrive. Girls LEAD is a year-round program that helps middle school girls build confidence, teamwork, and leadership through sports, mentorship, and career exploration. Through clinics, competitions, and wellness activities—paired with exposure to inspiring women role models across industries—participants learn to take up space, find their voice, and see themselves as leaders in every arena: on the field, in the classroom, and in their communities and future careers.
The Challenge
- Girls participate in sports at roughly half the rate of boys in NYC.
- Confidence among girls drops sharply during middle school, when identity and self-belief are most at stake.
- Research shows that girls who have access to mentors and leadership opportunities including through sports are significantly more likely to pursue leadership roles later in life.
- 67% of women in executive leadership credit sports with shaping their confidence and teamwork skills.
Why Give
Your support fuels confidence, connection, and opportunity. By investing in Girls LEAD, you help shape a generation of confident, resilient young women who see leadership modeled—and know they belong in those spaces. Your gift ensures that girls from underinvested communities have access to the same resources, mentorship, and inspiration as their peers, unlocking the confidence to lead in sports, school, and life.
With your partnership, New York Edge will:
- Expand Girls LEAD to 5–10 additional NYC schools this year.
- Increase participation beyond our 200+ girls currently in co-ed sports by 10%.
- Establish a Girls LEAD League with 10–12 all-girls teams across elementary and middle schools.
- Integrate career exposure and mentorship, connecting participants with women professionals who share real-world leadership lessons.
- Remove barriers to access by providing equipment, attire, and inclusive environments that celebrate girls’ strength and potential.
How to Get Involved
Support Girls LEAD programming and sports equipment costs with a gift of $1,000 (or an amount meaningful to you). As a member of the Girls LEAD Giving Circle, you can also:
- Volunteer as a mentor—visit a school to share your career journey and inspire our girls.
- Host a Speed Mentoring or Career Exploration event at your company to connect your team with young women exploring leadership, health, and business.
- Lead a drive to collect essentials and wellness items for participants.
To learn more or schedule a visit, contact Nancy Guida at nguida@newyorkedge.org.
