The Illumination Fund Recognized for Play to Thrive Partnership at Gotham FC’s Sold-Out Queens Classic

The Laurie M. Tisch Illumination Fund was honored on the field before Gotham FC’s sold-out Queens Classic at Citi Field in recognition of its partnership with Gotham FC and its shared commitment to expanding access to sport and play for young people across Greater New York.

Through its Play to Thrive initiative the Illumination Fund provided catalytic support for both Keep Her in the Game in partnership with Girls Leadership, now serving more than 2500 girls and 124 coaches, and Elevate Play in partnership with Playworks, providing youth, public school educators and caregivers free tickets to attend Gotham FC games and school-capacity building trainings focused on the principles of fairness, respect and teamwork.

Founder and President Laurie M. Tisch was joined on the field by her daughters, Carolyn Tisch Blodgett and Emily Tisch Sussman, along with Illumination Fund Executive Director Rick Luftglass, Senior Program Officer Kira Pritchard, and partners from Girls Leadership, Playworks New York/New Jersey, and Street Soccer USA.

The recognition took place before a crowd of 42,175 fans, setting a new attendance record for a professional women’s sporting event in New York. The milestone reflects the remarkable growth of women’s sports and underscores the importance of ensuring that more young people have the opportunity to participate in sports and experience its lifelong benefits.

Launched in 2025, Play to Thrive is a $10 million multi-year initiative that harnesses the power of sports to support youth development. In addition to support for Gotham FC’s Keep Her in the Game, in partnership with Girls Leadership, and Elevate Play, in partnership with Playworks, the initiative also supports Street Soccer USA, South Bronx United, City Parks Foundation, and the Aspen Institute’s Project Play initiative. Together, these investments are expanding access to sports, strengthening coaching and mentorship, and creating more opportunities for girls and underserved youth.

The recognition at the Queens Classic celebrated not only the continued rise of women’s sports, but also the collective effort to ensure that every young person, regardless of neighborhood or family income, has the opportunity to play, grow, and thrive.