1. Cool opportunities:

If you happen to be in a FIFA World Cup 2026 host city and want to support your community in supporting a mission-driven brand, check out the 2026 Community Ambassador Program for The Give and Grow. This isn't a sponsored post I just personally own one of their basketball planters, which I smile at knowing it's a women-led lifestyle brand that empowers girls through community programs that drive social impact. Cohort applications are due on January 9, 2026 - learn more here.

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Also, UNESCO has shared an open online free course on sport for development. The course is freely available in multiple languages.

Oh, and ICYMI, another great free resource, some sports and social impact fan insights and research from RWJF.
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2. Events:

Break out that fresh new planner and pencil in registration for some or all of these great industry events for 2026:

JANUARY:

1/14: WISSC DC Happy Hour​

1/29: Meridian's inaugural Sports Diplomacy Forum (Washington D.C.)

FEBRUARY:

2/4: National Girls & Women in Sports Day (multiple locations)

2/25: 2nd Sport Fundraising Summit(London)

2/26: GW University Sports Philanthropy Summit (Washington D.C.)

SPRING:

3/25: WISE Women of The Year (New York City)

4/26: The Play Equity Summit (Los Angeles)

5/5 and 6: Project Play (Boston) - *early bird registration (Nonprofit $379, Corporate $529) now through Jan. 13.

3. WISSC Woman of Wisdom:

Last but not least, this time I'm swallowing my pride, listening to some industry peers and featuring myself: I'm Mandy N. Murphy, Founder/Principal of MNM Strategy, author of this WISSC newsletter and community and passionate advocate about the power of sports to drive change.

HER ADVICE TO WISSC READERS:

Continue to believe in this space and find a way to pay it forward. There is power in this community of women who believe in the power of sports but we are a small but passionate niche which requires collaboration and elevation so that we can continue to drive interest in this sector and impact from our efforts. Social impact is a team sport.

HOW YOU CAN HELP HER:

While I've been consulting in the sports + social impact space for some time, I'm currently a free agent actively seeking my next team. I'm based in Washington D.C. and would welcome connecting with you and appreciate if you'd keep me in mind for collaborations or job opportunities as we head into 2026. I'm also open to sports-adjacent projects, where I can leverage my strategy, partnership, communications and storytelling skills. Appreciate all of you!