“CHILDCARE SO THEY CAN GET OUT THERE” GRANT
At For All Mothers+, we are committed to breaking down the systemic barriers that keep mothers from participating fully in sport – both professionally and recreationally.
In partnership with Strava, we are proud to introduce the “Childcare So They Can Get Out There” Grant, aimed at helping mothers overcome one of the top barriers to race participation: access to childcare. Strava will be funding 50 grants of $2,000 each to offset the childcare, travel, and support costs that often stand between a mother and the starting line.
UPDATE: Grant applications are closed, thank you to the many of you who shared this opportunity and emphasized the need for childcare support! We are actively reviewing your thoughtful responses and will be sending out emails to all applicants in July.
The Details:
Deadline to apply: June 14, 2025
Applicants must reside in the United States and identify as a mother, including birthing, adoptive, foster, step, or non-birthing mothers and caregivers who fulfill a maternal role.
Applicants must demonstrate that they are currently training for or planning to participate in a race or endurance event taking place in 2025.
The grant is intended to be used for childcare, travel, or related support services necessary to enable participation in training and/or on race day.
Grant recipients will be notified on a rolling basis following the close of the application window, but no later than July 1, 2025
As Announced LIVE on Good Morning America
The Problem: The Motherhood Penalty in Running
The motherhood penalty persists not only in professional athletics but in recreational racing. Key findings from new research conducted by For All Mothers+ with funding from Strava and in collaboration with Carleton University’s Health & Wellness Equity Research Group reveal:
Despite this, race organizers remain largely unaware of the demand for these supports because too many moms are never able to register in the first place. The barrier to entry is too high. As a result, mothers remain on the sidelines instead of at the starting line.
In addition to supporting For All Mothers+ Childcare Grants, Strava has taken action by giving race organizers the option of integrating the location of their lactation stations via Waypoints on their Strava course maps. Waypoints help mark specific locations along routes so runners can easily identify and access these facilities while participating in races, helping to normalize the infrastructure needed to support families in sport.
“Getting to the start line of any event is a metaphor for the multifaceted barriers mothers have to overcome in order to pursue their ambitions–we believe every mother should have the opportunity to get to that start line and be welcomed with a family-friendly situation when they do. In breaking down systemic barriers, we level the playing field so that mothers can see a clearer pathway to reaching the finish line and achieving their podium moment”
-Alysia Montaño, For All Mothers+ Founder and Olympic Medalist
About Strava
Strava is the app for active people. With over 150 million athletes in more than 185 countries, it’s more than tracking workouts—it’s where people make progress together, from new habits to new personal bests. No matter your sport or how you track it, Strava’s got you covered. Find your crew, crush your goals, and make every effort count. Start your journey with Strava today.
Strive for More™ is a $1 million financial commitment by Strava over three years to promote and support women in movement and sport. Launched in July 2022 in conjunction with the first Tour de France Femmes in over 30 years, Strava works alongside non-profit organizations, athletes and organizations closest to the issues to help build pathways to advance equity and inclusion in the sporting community. Since its inception, the initiative has worked with The Cyclists’ Alliance, helping to fund TCAMP, a groundbreaking mentorship program that helps get more women to competitive races; GRLS, an initiative by Women Win that aims to advance gender equity in and through sport and play; and Mia Lind, the creator of Hot Girl Walk™ to empower women to strive for more.
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About For All Mothers+
For All Mothers+ (formerly &Mother) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit on a mission to eliminate 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, we are breaking down barriers that limit mothers and building a world where they can thrive in pursuit of health, career, and personal ambition. Through the lens of sports, we drive investment, policy reform, and cultural influence, setting a new standard for how mothers are supported across industries. Learn more at www.forallmothers.org and follow @forallmothersorg on Instagram.