Our Theory Of Change
Athlete Ally is building a world where all athletes can thrive as their full selves. At the heart of our strategy are three interconnected goals that work together to shift individual behavior, strengthen institutional support, and build cultures of belonging.
EMPOWER INCLUSIVE BEHAVIOR
Goal: Promote behaviors that foster connection and belonging while reducing isolation and exclusion in sports.
Why it matters: At its core, our mission is about behavior change. We aim to cultivate ally behaviors that become second nature across all levels of sport—from locker rooms to global competitions. That means making inclusion visible, celebrated, and actionable in everyday choices.
STRENGTHEN ETHICAL CAPACITY
Goal: Help people in sports develop the values, skills, and courage needed to act ethically and understand others.
Why it matters: At its core, our mission is about behavior change. We aim to cultivate ally behaviors that become second nature across all levels of sport—from locker rooms to global competitions. That means making inclusion visible, celebrated, and actionable in everyday choices.
CREATE SUPPORTIVE SYSTEMS
Goal: Support sports systems, cultures, and institutions in recognizing and enabling athlete autonomy and accountability.
Why it matters: We cannot expect behavior change from athletes unless their environments allow for it. We work to remove structural barriers—both seen and unseen—so that allyship is not only possible, but expected. From institutional policies to locker room language, we help build systems that affirm every athlete’s right to belong and lead.
The Path Forward
Core Programs
Athlete Ally works to realize our Theory of Change through these Core Programs.
Athlete Activism Summit
The Athlete Ally Summit is our annual 4 day conference that brings together over 200 college athletes, coaches, and administrators from over 65 colleges and universities. Through the experience of the Summit, Athlete Ally grows our athlete network and expands the number of schools where Athlete Ally programming occurs.
Athlete Ally Collective
The Athlete Ally Collective is a first-of-its-kind fund that invests directly in college athletes who are committed to building inclusive, connected, and supportive sports cultures. The Collective is Athlete Ally’s mechanism to find and support athletes wanting to carry out our programs and activities. Through the Collective, we are able to fund the execution of our programs nationally.
Athlete Ally Chapters
The Athlete Ally Campus Chapter program consists of over 30 ambassador-led student groups who are working to make their athletic departments more inclusive. Through monthly meetings, educational conversations, and recurring campaigns and community events, Athlete Ally Campus Chapters are the leading advocates of creating cultures of belonging on their campus.
Athlete Ally Ambassadors
The Athlete Ally Ambassadors consists of over 400 Olympic, Paralympic, and professional athletes and current college athletes representing 73 NCAA campuses. These ambassadors are dedicated to championing allyship in athletics and supporting and uplifting athletes at their alma mater. Through the Ambassador program, Athlete Ally helps to facilitate the advocacy of every athlete through interviews, discussions, and campaigns.
