The Hellman Foundation’s long-term investment aims to strengthen and elevate women’s Olympic cycling programs for years to come.
SAN FRANCISCO, California (November 8, 2024) – The Hellman Foundation has awarded a $2.5 million grant to the USA Cycling Foundation to fund its women’s programs, marking a groundbreaking investment in the growth and development of women’s cycling across the United States.
This grant will increase resources to USA Cycling programs and operations for women’s high performance across the Olympic cycling disciplines of Road, Mountain Bike, Track, BMX Racing, and BMX Freestyle, as well as the Paralympic cycling disciplines of Road and Track.
The grant will have two components: First is $1 million specifically intended to support women’s programs delivered in the years 2025-2028 to maximize success at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Second is an additional $1.5 million that will go to create a long-term Women’s Cycling Fund that will support USA Cycling women’s programs from the years 2029-2043. The grant for the Women’s Cycling Fund will require a 1:1 match, which will ultimately result in a $3 million fund to support women’s high performance programs.
“The Hellman Family has been a longtime supporter of USA Cycling, and they have been especially supportive of our Women’s Track Endurance program. Today’s announcement marks their incredibly ambitious and generous approach to women’s cycling and women’s sport in general,” said USA Cycling’s CEO Brendan Quirk. “This gives USA Cycling a huge boost in momentum as we finalize our plan to earn 10 medals at the LA28 Olympics, and we’re eager to kick off the Women’s Cycling Fund matching campaign to ensure strength and stability for our women’s program for decades to come.”
The Hellman Family has been a major supporter of the USA Cycling Foundation since 2000, playing an instrumental role in the achievements of American women on the international stage. Over the years, their generous support has fueled countless successes, culminating in a record-breaking summer at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, where American women claimed a historic six medals for USA Cycling, including three gold medals.
“The Hellman Foundation is thrilled to support the USA Cycling Foundation’s women’s programs to help develop the next generation of Olympic and Paralympic athletes,” said Mick Hellman, Board Member of the Hellman Foundation. “We hope the Women’s Cycling Fund will inspire and empower elite women cyclists to build on the amazing progress they have achieved in recent years.”
