A new grant program from the She Sends Foundation, in partnership with the Strava Strive for More initiative, is taking direct aim at one of the biggest barriers young women face in off-road cycling: funding for equipment, training, and race travel.
The Strava x She Sends Foundation “Strive for More” Grant Program, launched earlier this summer, offers $5,000 in financial support to women aged 19–22 who are working toward elite-level competition in cross-country, enduro, or freeride mountain biking. Whether it’s plane tickets to Europe, a race entry fee, or just a working rear derailleur, this funding is designed to help bridge the gap between junior development programs and full-time pro racing—something She Sends founder Kate Courtney knows all too well.
“Finances can absolutely be one of the biggest barriers for young athletes trying to make it to the professional level. I was incredibly fortunate to not only have early support from my family and junior development team, but to have early results that helped me get fully funded international racing opportunities with USA Cycling,” Courtney told me over email. “The more time I’ve spent in this sport, the more I’ve realized how unique and limited that pathway was — and how many talented athletes never get the same chance.” She notes that some athletes have to walk away from the sport because they can’t afford to keep training and racing long enough to break through.
Courtney points to athletes like Gwendalyn Gibson as examples of what’s possible with grit, and how much harder the road is without a financial safety net. Gibson juggled a job and a full college course load while chasing her World Cup dream, long before she landed on a factory team or stood on a championship podium. Her journey helped inspire the grant program.
“Athletes like Gwen show that we have big gaps in our system for developing and supporting young racers,” Courtney said. “Gwen’s journey will absolutely inspire the next generation to keep chasing their dreams.”
In total, She Sends awarded $25,000 to five riders in its first round of 2025 grants. Strava, which launched the Strive for More initiative in 2022 to promote gender equity in sport, is backing the project with a $40,000 commitment. Applications for the next round of grants—three more to be awarded for 2026—open October 1.
The grant program goes beyond cash
In addition to the financial award, recipients will also be paired with mentors and asked to give back through local youth rides or girls’ cycling programs, building a feedback loop of support and representation.
It’s that combination—opportunity and visibility—that Courtney says is key to getting more women into mountain biking in the first place. She acknowledges that increasing mountain biking opportunities and representation for women can be a chicken-and-egg situation.
“If I had to choose where to start, I’d say that opportunity is the foundation and the reason we spend so much of our energy at the She Sends Foundation trying to cast a wider net of exposure and support for young riders,” she said. “You can be inspired by someone who looks like you or shares your background, but if there’s no team to join, no funding, and no coach who takes you seriously — that inspiration doesn’t have anywhere to go.
“That said, representation at the top level in the sport provides the fuel for the fire. When young riders see women leading, racing, and succeeding, it ignites their own ambitions and shows them what could be possible.”
For more info on the grant and how to apply, visit shesendsfoundation.org/grants.
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