2026 Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award: Win Up to $10,000 to Drive Change Through Sports

Hildah W. Nakafu

4 months ago

2026 Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award: Win Up to $10,000 to Drive Change Through Sports

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Sport has long been more than competition. Across schools, campuses, and communities, young leaders are transforming sports into a powerful tool for social change, inclusion, leadership, and community empowerment. The 2026 Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award is now accepting applications from exceptional young changemakers across the United States who are using sports to create meaningful impact in their communities.

Established in 2019 as part of the prestigious Sports Humanitarian Awards and the ESPYS, this nationally recognized opportunity honors the legacy of legendary sports icon Billie Jean King by celebrating young leaders who embody courage, equity, leadership, and service through sport.

The award recognizes young people who are not only participating in sports programs but actively leading initiatives, addressing community challenges, and building opportunities for others through sport-based action and advocacy.

Applications are due by midnight EST on May 22, 2025.

What is the Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award?

The Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award is a national recognition program that celebrates youth leaders using sports as a platform to create positive social change. The initiative highlights young individuals who demonstrate leadership, inclusion, courage, and measurable community impact through sports-driven initiatives.

As part of the award program:

Three National Honorees will be selected
Twenty Regional Honorees will also be recognized
Honorees will participate in leadership development experiences
Scholarship and nonprofit grant funding will be awarded

The award is connected to the Sports Humanitarian Awards and the ESPYS in New York City, placing recipients among some of the most influential leaders and changemakers in sports.

Benefits of the 2026 Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award

The program offers financial support, national recognition, mentorship opportunities, and leadership development experiences.

Benefits for National Honorees

Three national honorees will receive:

1. National Recognition

Recipients will be honored during:

The Sports Humanitarian Awards
The ESPYS in New York City

Honorees will be recognized alongside prominent sports leaders and humanitarian award winners, including recipients of the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award.

2. Financial Support

National honorees will receive either:

A one-time $10,000 college scholarship, OR
A $10,000 charitable grant directed to an eligible nonprofit organization connected to their work

3. Leadership Development Program

Recipients will participate in a yearlong virtual experiential learning program that includes:

Mentorship opportunities
Leadership coaching
Networking with senior sports industry professionals
Career and leadership development sessions

Benefits for Regional Honorees

Twenty regional honorees will receive:

1. Scholarship or Grant Funding

Recipients will receive either:

A one-time $2,500 college scholarship, OR
A $2,500 charitable grant directed to an eligible nonprofit organization

2. Leadership and Mentorship Opportunities

Regional honorees will also participate in the yearlong leadership and mentorship program designed to help them grow their impact and leadership capacity.

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity is designed for young leaders who are intentionally using sports to improve lives and communities.

Successful applicants are expected to demonstrate:

Community Leadership

Applicants should identify a challenge facing their school or community and explain how they are actively addressing it.

Examples may include:

Youth empowerment through sports
Mental health awareness initiatives
Gender equality in sports
Inclusion programs
Community outreach activities
Anti-bullying campaigns
Leadership development through athletics

Meaningful Use of Sport for Change

Applicants must show how sports are being used as a deliberate tool for social impact rather than simply participating in existing programs.

Strong applicants are those who:

Founded initiatives
Led community projects
Developed sports-based outreach programs
Expanded opportunities for underserved communities

Measurable Impact

Candidates should clearly explain:

Their goals and objectives
Community outcomes achieved
Evidence of impact
Positive changes resulting from their work

Strong Personal Values

The award seeks individuals who reflect Billie Jean King’s values, including:

Courage
Equity
Inclusion
Leadership
Empowerment
Service

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the 2026 Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award, applicants must meet the following requirements:

General Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, or permanent resident
Be between the ages of 16 and 25
Be enrolled as a high school, college, or graduate student

Students taking a gap year are also eligible if they:

Have graduated from high school
Will enroll in an accredited four-year college or university during the 2026–2027 academic year

Applicants must also:

Have a registered and verifiable 501(c)(3) nonprofit affiliated with their work
Ensure the nonprofit and community impact work are U.S.-based

Additional Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

Applicants choosing the scholarship option must additionally:

Demonstrate financial need verified by their college or university
Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
Be enrolled in an accredited four-year college or university during the 2026–2027 academic year

Important Application Rules

Applicants should carefully note the following guidelines:

Single Applications Only

Only individual nominations will be accepted
Group applications are not allowed

Application Submission

Applications may be submitted:

Directly by the nominee, OR
By a nonprofit organization on behalf of the nominee

Photo Submission Requirements

Selected applicants will later be required to submit high-resolution images, including:

A professional headshot
A front-facing action photo
A full-body image without other people

Group photos will not be accepted.

Funding Guidelines

Scholarship Funding

Scholarships are:

One-time awards
Non-renewable
Paid directly to the recipient’s accredited institution

Nonprofit Grant Funding

Grant funds will be directed to:

A verified 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Organizations that meet The Walt Disney Company’s charitable giving guidelines

Applicants can review the charitable giving guidelines here:
https://impact.disney.com/app/uploads/2025/04/Global-Charitable-Giving-Guidelines.pdf

Information Sessions and Webinars

To support applicants during the process, several information webinars will be hosted.

Webinar Registration Dates

Need Help?

Applicants with questions about the award can contact:

Email: claudia.larrea@beyondsport.org
Meeting Link: https://tinyurl.com/ubxjmsbx

Why This Opportunity Matters

The Billie Jean King Youth Leadership Award is more than financial support or recognition. It is a platform that amplifies the voices of young leaders who are shaping the future of sports and social impact.

For young changemakers passionate about equity, leadership, and community transformation, this award provides:

National visibility
Leadership development
Mentorship
Funding support
Access to influential networks in sports and social impact

Young leaders using sports to create change are encouraged to apply and share their stories before the deadline.

Apply Here

Application Deadline

Applications close at midnight EST on May 22, 2025.

For more information about this click here

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