About Us
“Girls who play sports are more likely to graduate from high school, go to college, and hit leadership levels across all industries.”
What We Do
Every girl deserves a chance to play. We believe sports are the fastest path to confidence, leadership, and a bigger future, and we're on a mission to make sure no girl gets left on the sidelines.
Leveling the Fields provides after-school sports programs for girls, primarily in under-resourced communities across Charleston, SC, removing barriers of cost, access, and availability so every girl can get in the game
Our Story
In February 2024, LTF founder Melyssa Jaskiewicz attended the National Sports Forum in Pittsburgh, PA. For the first time, the conference had an all-female panel, and in the audience, something clicked.
She later picked up a copy of panelist Macaela MacKenzie's book Money, Power, Respect, which laid out the data plainly: girls who play sports are more likely to graduate from high school, attend college, and reach leadership positions across every industry. On the flight back to Charleston, Melyssa opened a notebook and sketched out what would become Leveling the Fields.
Within months, what started as a back-of-a-napkin idea had become a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a founding board, a program model, and a growing team of volunteers. By fall 2024, the first EmpowerPlay session was underway.
LTF has been growing ever since, adding schools, sports, and girls every session.
Our flagship program, EmpowerPlay, is a 9-week after-school multisport program for girls in grades 3–5. Each session runs 3 days a week and takes place right at the school, no transportation needed.
HOW IT WORKS
Girls rotate through three sports (chosen from soccer, basketball, volleyball, softball, tennis, and lacrosse) every three weeks
Each session includes sports instruction, a snack break, and 30 minutes of structured empowerment curriculum with guided journal prompts
All equipment, supplies, snacks, and water bottles are provided
Programs at Title I schools are fully funded by LTF through grants, donations, and corporate sponsors
Head coaches are trained and paid by Leveling the Fields
Where We Are
We currently serve girls in Charleston and Berkeley counties, with most programs hosted at Title I elementary schools.
Our goal is to establish a chapter in every state in the US.
Our Impact
In our first two years, we have worked with two school districts, several public schools, and a charter school.
131 Girls participated in Spring of 2026
17 Programs Executed
2 Coach Training Sessions
30+ Volunteers
Who We Are
Leveling the Fields is 100% volunteer-powered. Our team of 30+ dedicated volunteers, program managers, grant writers, marketers, and community connectors brings LTF to life every single day alongside our founding Executive Board and Advisory Council.
We are a proud holder of the Candid Gold Seal of Transparency.