The Scott Pioli & Family Fund for Women Football Coaches and Scouts, established in 2018 through the generosity of Scott Pioli and his family, is administered by the Women’s Sports Foundation. This fund aims to address the ongoing gender gap in football by providing financial assistance to women coaches and scouts, thereby promoting female representation and leadership in the sport. Scott Pioli, a decorated NFL executive with a deep commitment to equality, education, and the arts, supports this initiative to advance women in professional and collegiate football environments.
The primary objective of the fund is to support the development, training, and educational opportunities of women in football coaching and scouting roles, helping them progress in their careers. Eligible applicants include part-time or full-time U.S. women working in college or professional football, such as graduate assistant coaches or scouts. Grants are awarded based on financial need, the applicant’s potential for advancement, lack of support from traditional sources, the grant’s potential impact on increasing female presence in football, and the applicant’s contribution to enhancing the visibility of women athletes.
The grant awards range between $2,000 and $10,000 and may be used to reimburse job-related expenses, including housing costs. Applicants are responsible for ensuring compliance with all relevant rules and regulations of their respective organizations. Applications that are incomplete, submitted late, or request funds for ineligible activities (e.g., retroactive expenses, land purchases, or compulsory religious programs) will not be accepted. Submission must be made through the Women’s Sports Foundation’s grant-management system, Foundant GLM, where applicants can register or update their profiles.
The 2025 application cycle is closed, with the next expected application window opening on January 15, 2026. For 2025, the application period was from January 15 to May 1, with evaluations completed and notifications sent by June 9. This timeline may be subject to change, and prospective applicants are encouraged to revisit the site in November 2025 for updates.
For additional guidance or inquiries, Morgan Powell can be contacted for program questions at 516.307.3971 or MPowell@WomensSportsFoundation.org. For donation-related questions, contact Jean Tatge at 646.813.7238 or JTatge@WomensSportsFoundation.org. Past grant recipients include notable women from various colleges and NFL teams, underscoring the fund’s impact in advancing women’s roles in football.
