For Funders

Thank you for considering Leveling the Fields. We've put everything you need for your due diligence in one place.

Program
Impact

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 Leveling the Fields is dedicated to dismantling barriers and creating equal opportunities in sports as they are a catalyst for building future women leaders. We are committed to providing universal access to sports for all girls, regardless of financial constraints, geographical limitations, and lack of options. We empower girls to thrive as future leaders. 

girls-on-soccer-field

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