For All Mothers+ and Joie Launch “Bring the Babies” Grants to Help Olympian and Paralympian Moms Bring their Children to the 2026 Winter Games
For All Mothers+ teams up with Joie to fund grants that offset family travel expenses for Team USA moms headed to Milano-Cortina
For all Mothers+, a nonprofit working at the intersection of sports and motherhood to advance equitable policies and practices for mothers, has partnered with baby gear brand Joie as presenting partner to launch the 2026 Winter Games edition of the “Bring the Babies” Changemaker Grants.
The “Bring the Babies” initiative highlights the urgent need for stronger maternal support policies in professional sports. The majority of mothering athletes face financial and structural barriers that make it difficult, and sometimes impossible, to compete at the elite level while caring for young children. This phenomenon is known as the Motherhood Penalty – the economic, social, and health disadvantages women face after becoming mothers.
The program will award four athlete-moms with $5,000 each to bridge the monetary gap, helping to cover essential family travel expenses (including airfare, lodging, and childcare) – ensuring children can witness their moms compete on the world’s biggest stage.
THE MOTHERHOOD PENALTY IN SPORTS
Research from the Motherhood Penalty in Sport Survey (2025) conducted by For All Mothers+ and Carleton University’s Health & Wellness Equity Research Group reveals:
73% of mothering athletes experience a decrease, termination, or pause in funding related to pregnancy or motherhood, resulting in 72% of them needing additional income or employment outside of sport
33% sought new funding or sponsorships (83% because of lost endorsements and 100% to cover maternity/postpartum costs)
65% agreed their pregnancy harmed future opportunities for contracts or funding
37% felt their motherhood status harmed funding opportunities, and only 50% felt supported overall as both a mother and elite athlete
THE OLYMPIC AND PARALYMPIC GAMES ARE CHANGING THE LANDSCAPE
The Paris 2024 Olympic Games were heralded as the first in history to achieve full gender parity. According to the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Milano Cortina 2026 is set to become the most gender-balanced Olympic Winter Games ever, with a record 47% women competitors. The rise in equity is also raising the number of parenting athletes – a direct result of For All Mothers+’ advocacy work to advance policies, education, and healthcare for professional athletes navigating pregnancy and postpartum careers.
The IOC is making efforts to offer on-site provisions for mothers this winter, similar to the first Olympic Village nursery at the last Summer Games, a milestone driven by Olympian Allyson Felix, For All Mothers+ board member and elected IOC Athlete Commission Member.
GRANT APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN AND GIVING TUESDAY OPPORTUNITY
Eligible athletes are invited to apply for the “Bring the Babies” Changemaker Grants from December 2 through January 21. Grant recipients will be announced on January 23.
In the spirit of Giving Tuesday, For All Mothers+ and Joie are inviting the public to help fund a fifth grant, expanding support to additional athlete moms and their children traveling to the Winter Games. Donations to the “Bring the Babies” Winter 2026 Grant will be accepted until applications close on January 21.
For grant application and eligibility, or to contribute to the “Bring the Babies” Winter 2026 Grants, please visit: [insert link to landing page]. To inquire about partnership opportunities or support For All Mothers+ programs, please contact hello@forallmothers.org.
ABOUT JOIE
Launched in 2011, Joie is one of the world’s fastest-growing baby brands, dedicated to designing products that make life with small children more fun and less work. Family-owned and operated, Joie creates thoughtfully engineered car seats, strollers, travel systems, highchairs, and nursery essentials that combine safety, style, and everyday ease. Today, Joie products are distributed in more than 80 countries, supported by nine global offices, and trusted by families around the world. With a growing presence in the U.S., Joie remains committed to delivering high-quality, worry-free baby gear that helps families enjoy the journey from day one. For more information, visit joiebaby.com or joiebaby.com/us.
ABOUT FOR ALL MOTHERS+
For All Mothers+ is a 501(c)(3) non-profit working at the intersection of motherhood and sports to advance equitable policies and practices for all mothers by exposing and dismantling the Motherhood Penalty – the phenomenon by which women face economic, social, and health disadvantages after becoming mothers. Founded on Mother’s Day 2020 by Track & Field Olympic Medalist and mother of three, Alysia Montaño, For All Mothers+ envisions a world where valuing the economic, social, and cultural contributions of mothers is the norm and equity for mothers is guaranteed by design, not granted by exception. Through the lens of sports, we drive investment, policy reform, and cultural influence through research, storytelling, and grants – setting a new standard for how mothers are supported across industries. Learn more at www.forallmothers.org and follow @forallmothersorg on Instagram.