For Funders
Thank you for considering Leveling the Fields. We've put everything you need for your due diligence in one place.
Our Organization
Legal Name: Leveling the Fields
Organization Type: 501(c)(3) Public Charity
EIN: 99-2333512
Founded: 2024
Headquarters: Charleston, SC
Service Area: Charleston, SC Metro area
Website: www.levelingthefields.org
Primary Contact: Melyssa Jaskiewicz, Founder & Executive Director — info@levelingthefields.org
Mission Statement
Mission Statement
Our Program
PROGRAM Costs
A full EmpowerPlay program runs $7,500–$14,000 depending on the sport(s), program length, and equipment needs. This covers:
Coach training and stipends
Sports equipment across all rotation sports
Empowerment curriculum and journals
Snacks and water bottles for all participants
Program operations, insurance, and logistics
Grants are typically used to fully fund programs at individual schools. A single grant can fund one complete 9-week program, giving 15–30 girls 54 hours of sports, mentorship, and leadership development.
Impact & Outcomes
EmpowerPlay is LTF's flagship after-school program, delivered directly at Title I schools. Every aspect of the program is designed to remove barriers:
PROGRAM AT A GLANCE
Grade levels: 3rd–5th grade girls
Program length: 9 weeks, 3 days per week, 2 hours per session (54 hours total)
Sports: Participants rotate through 3 sports per session (soccer, basketball, volleyball, softball, tennis, lacrosse)
Curriculum: 30 minutes per session dedicated to structured empowerment content — confidence, leadership, self-acceptance, teamwork
Provided at no cost: all equipment, uniforms, snacks, water bottles, and empowerment journals
Staffing: Trained and paid head coach + 1–2 assistant coaches per program
Capacity: 15–30 girls per program
Current stats as of May 2026
Number of girls served: 200
Schools reached: 7
Programs completed: 17
Counties: 2
We measure program outcomes through participant surveys, coach observations, and empowerment journal reflection data, tracking growth in confidence, leadership identity, and physical activity levels before and after each session.
Note: If you require a formal impact report or program evaluation documentation, please contact info@levelingthefields.org.
How Grants Are Used
LTF maintains a demand list of Title I schools that have applied and been accepted into the program but are waiting for funding. Every grant we receive translates directly into a school getting a program. When a grant arrives, a school from the waitlist is assigned a program date, a coach is hired, and equipment is ordered.
We can provide detailed budget breakdowns, program timelines, and reporting templates to meet your foundation's specific requirements.
Grant Reporting
We are happy to provide narrative and financial reports on grant-funded programs. Standard reporting includes program completion summary, participant count, coach roster, and pre/post participant survey results. Custom reporting formats are available upon request.
Organizational Strength
LEADERSHIP
LTF is led by a founding Executive Board with deep expertise across sports, technology, public health, finance, and nonprofit management. Our 30+ person volunteer team includes program managers, grant writers, certified coaches, marketers, and community engagement specialists.
Our board includes professionals from MUSC, College of Charleston Athletics, Mainstay Technologies, and OMATS Brands, among others.
GOVERNANCE & TRANSPARENCY
501(c)(3) public charity — all donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law
Candid Gold Seal of Transparency (GuideStar profile: app.candid.org/profile/15941282)
Volunteer-run operations — no paid staff; 100% of program funding goes directly to program delivery
IRS Determination Letter available upon request
Financial statements available upon request
RECOGNITION & COVERAGE
News 4 Community Partner (January 2025)
Featured on the Women In... Podcast (2025, 2026)
Featured on The Daktronics Experience Podcast (2026)
Selected as showcase charity for USA Lacrosse's national gala (2025)
Presenter at 1 Million Cups (2025)
The Problem We're Solving
Girls from low-income families and rural communities face compounding barriers to sports participation: program fees, equipment costs, transportation, and a lack of nearby options. Title I schools — which serve our most under-resourced students — rarely have the budget for after-school athletics.
The research is clear on what's at stake: girls who play sports are significantly more likely to graduate high school, attend college, and reach leadership positions. Without access to sports, those outcomes become harder to reach.
LTF exists to close that gap.
Ready to Fund LTF?
We'd love to connect. Reach out to Melyssa Jaskiewicz directly:
Email: melyssa@levelingthefields.org
Phone: 843-367-9542
Mailing Address: Leveling the Fields, 247 Nelliefield Creek Dr., Charleston, SC
Leveling the Fields is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations and grants are tax-deductible to the full extent permitted by law. EIN: 99-2333512
Future Programs
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![A group of girls in green jerseys sitting on a soccer field facing away from the camera. One is looking behind, smiling for the picture.]()
Summer Sports Enrichment Camps
Our Summer Sports Enrichment Camps provide girls with professional coaching across multiple sports in a fun, supportive environment. Programs range from short enrichment add-ons to full-day camps, focusing on skill development, teamwork, and confidence-building. Camps are open to all girls through paid and scholarship pathways.
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![An indoor tennis court with numerous pink tennis balls scattered across the blue court. A person in pink and black socks, tennis shoes, and pink shorts is holding a tennis racket, standing among the balls. They are only visible from the legs down. Th]()
Teen Leagues
Teen Leagues are designed to keep middle and high school students engaged in sports. The program addresses the drop in sports participation among girls around age 14 by offering programs beyond school teams, including casual play and pickup games. These activities provide a relaxed atmosphere where girls can enjoy sports at different levels of competition.
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![Two competing girls’ lacrosse teams, one wearing purple jerseys and the other wearing white jerseys. Refs are on both sides of the field officiating.]()
Supplemental Rec Teams Initiative
The Supplemental Rec Teams Initiative expands sports access for girls in rural and underserved communities. By partnering with local leagues, the program helps remove barriers such as transportation, fees, and equipment, ensuring more girls can participate regardless of location or financial circumstances.
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![Two young girls in hockey gear practicing on the ice rink, with one skating ahead, while the other follows behind. They both hold hockey sticks.]()
Elite Playmakers
Elite Playmakers supports high-potential female athletes through advanced training, travel team access, and specialized coaching. The program provides comprehensive support—including scholarships, transportation, and safety protocols—so athletes can develop both on and off the field in a secure, empowering environment.
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![Multiple people put their hands together in a group, showing diversity in skin tones, some wearing rings, and dressed in colorful sweaters.]()
Mentorship Program
The Girls’ Mentorship Program pairs elementary school girls with high school mentors through monthly activities and shared experiences. Focused on confidence, emotional well-being, and life skills, the program fosters meaningful relationships that support personal growth and long-term resilience.
Join the Movement
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Volunteer
Join our Volunteer Team and help guide the program development and lend your expertise.
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Become a Coach
We are currently looking for coaches for our after-school and summer programs.
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Donate
Your donations help support our programs, covering a range of items like coaching fees and equipment.