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Kicks for Equality
Part of the Storm's social justice platform, Force4Change, Kicks for Equality is an annual auction featuring custom designed sneakers worn by Storm players/coaches and other Storm memorabilia & experiences.
This year the funds raised from the Kicks for Equality campaign will benefit the Storm Foundation and Force4Change efforts. The funds will go to the Storm Foundation – a registered 501(c)(3)—and distributed throughout the year to support our broader Force4Change efforts and initiatives, as guided by our players. A few examples of how the funds may be used include:
- Donations to the honorees of Believe in Women Night to support their ongoing work around the community.
- Donation to the winner of the newly create Prism Award, given during Pride month to a LGBTQ+ leader of color, to support their ongoing efforts
Each year we select a talented BIPOC woman sneaker artist to work with the players to custom design their sneaker. The shoes reflect important causes for Storm players such as mental health, gun violence awareness, Black Lives Matter, Pride, gender equality, indigenous people awareness, and African art and heritage.
Our 2025 artist, Takiyah Ward, is a local business owner who currently operates the first and only sneaker dry cleaning service in Seattle, Re-Sole 206.
Sneakerball
In addition to the online auction, the Storm is proud to present Sneakerball, an exclusive event held at the Moët & Chandon Impérial Lounge at Climate Pledge Arena where guests will enjoy a premium dining experience, have the opportunity to bid on exclusive auction items and network with VIP guests.
Give Back Fund
The launch of our Give Back Fund is supported by the foundation, where each player to select a nonprofit aligned with Force4Change pillars and we make a donation in their honor.
Nneka Ogwumike – Family First Community Center
Founded by former Seattle Seahawks football player Doug Baldwin Jr, the Family First Community Center is dedicated to empowering individuals and strengthening our community bonds. Inspired by Doug’s passion for serving others, our center offers a wide range of programs and resources to foster personal growth, promote wellness, and cultivate meaningful connections. Join us as we create a thriving, inclusive community where everyone feels valued and supported.
Skylar Diggins & Katie Lou Samuelson – Look, Listen, and Learn
Look, Listen and Learn (LL+L) is a Telly & Emmy Award-winning early learning television show that supports the emotional wellbeing of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) families by offering fun, in-home learning tools for 3-8 years olds.
Zia Cooke – Ladies of Academic & Athletic Excellence
Helps to foster achievement in young female student-athletes
Lexie Brown & Ezi Magbegor – Project Girl Mentoring Program
The Mission of Project Girl Mentoring Program is to foster the advancement of young women of color to make positive life choices and to maximize their authentic potential.
Gabby Williams & Brittney Sykes – Lavender Rights Project
Elevating the power, autonomy, and leadership of the Black intersex & gender diverse community through intersectional legal and social services.
Dominique Malonga – Mary Mahoney Professional Nurse’s Organization
Mission is to provide financial aid and scholarships to students of African Heritage who pursue studies leading to careers in professional nursing
Erica Wheeler – Wheeler Kids Inc
Provides opportunities and assistance to underprivileged kids, especially for scholarships, camps, and aiding single-parent families
Tiffany Mitchell – Spin Haven
Single Parents In Need - Helps locate necessities and opportunities for single parents
Mackenzie Holmes – Agape House
The mission of the Agape House is “offering non-time limited housing to homeless, BIPOC women between the ages of 18-27, especially as they ‘age-out’ of foster care
Intentionalist
Intentionalist is an online guide to intentional spending that connects consumers with local businesses owned by women, people of color, veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, families, and people with disabilities. The Storm partner with Intentionalist to highlight diverse businesses in the Puget Sound Area.
Each Black History Month, Women's History Month, AANHPI Heritage Month, Pride Month, and Latin American Heritage Month, the Storm partners with our fellow Seattle Sports teams to support local businesses from these communities. For the entire month, Seattle sports fans can upload their receipts from local businesses and enter to win prize packs from their favorite teams.
Commissioner’s Cup
In 2025, each WNBA team chose a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that reflects values of social justice, inclusivity, respect, and the celebration of diverse voices and identities to raise money for during the in-season WNBA Commissioner’s Cup Tournament.
The Storm selected Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle. Their mission statement is - “To empower Black and other historically underserved people to thrive for generations through social and economic justice.” For each Commissioner’s Cup game, the WNBA and Storm teamed up to donated $3,000 to Urban League for every win and $1,000 for every loss.
In 2025, the Storm Foundation & the WNBA donated a grand total of $28,000 to Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle to continue their important and impactful social justice work in our community.
