The Power the Next 100 initiative is securing philanthropic support that will bolster women’s athletics for the next century and beyond.
The Next Century of Success
Penn Athletics’ Power the Next 100 initiative is shaping the future of women’s athletics
Spring/Summer 2023
Penn’s female student-athletes are no strangers to success. They are All-Americans and national champions. All-star scholars and community leaders. While here, they learn valuable life skills that translate into real-world advantages: leadership, accountability, teamwork, problem-solving, time management, and more.
“We recently concluded a celebration of 100 years of women’s athletics at Penn,” says Alanna Shanahan, C’96, the T. Gibbs Kane, Jr. W’69 Director of Athletics and Recreation and a former Penn women’s lacrosse player. “As we look ahead, the Power the Next 100 initiative will enable the success of our women’s teams to continue for the next century and beyond.”
Power the Next 100 is the first-ever division-wide fundraising initiative focused specifically on women’s varsity athletics. With a goal of $40 million, it is building a strong financial foundation that will position teams for competitive success and cement Penn’s reputation as a place where student-athletes can thrive.
It has been amazing to witness the strong growth of women’s athletics during my four years at Penn, spearheaded by strong female leadership. As student-athletes, we are taught to champion our lives in every way possible. Through this initiative, we can continue to pursue the best versions of ourselves with access to the best resources possible.”Kayla Padilla, W’23, Women’s basketball standout and team captain
Funding priorities include recruiting and retaining world-class coaches, improving training and game day facilities, and offering access to cutting-edge nutritional and mental health expertise, among others.
Kirsten Strausbaugh Becker, C’13, Head Gymnastics Coach, has big dreams for her program.
Facility improvements, recruiting, nutrition, and team travel are all areas I’d like to focus on in the future. Power the Next 100 is helping us get there.”Kirsten Strausbaugh Becker, C’13, Head Gymnastics Coach
Initial support from donors like Stephanie Pottruck Goldman, C’99, and her husband Aaron Goldman, W’99, has given the campaign a strong start. Early on, Pottruck Goldman chose to establish a matching gift designed to inspire others. “We love the idea of ensuring that women have equally engaging and satisfying athletic experiences during their time at Penn,” she says. “There is no better way to encourage financial support than by modeling it.
“Being a student-athlete at Penn is a very special experience, and one that is a quintessential part of who these students become,” Pottruck Goldman continues. “It is a great privilege to help women’s athletics become even better and stronger in the future.”
Priorities include:
Women’s Varsity Sport Operational Endowments
Endowment funds provide crucial revenue each year while also creating financial sustainability for teams in the long term. Matching funds are available for endowment gifts at various levels, with the goal of doubling the endowment for women’s varsity sports.
Varsity Annual Funds
Annual funds are the lifeblood of Penn women’s sports and help to offset the operational costs of travel, equipment, recruiting, and other core elements of the student-athlete experience.
Capital Projects
Penn women’s teams need support for capital projects that ensure they have modern training and game day facilities.
To learn how you can support the next 100 years of women’s athletics, contact Tim Folan, Senior Associate Athletic Director, Development & Alumni Relations, at tfolan@upenn.edu or (215) 573-0315.
