2024 Community Highlights

This year, USRowing continues to grow United We Row (UWR) and continues making tangible changes within the rowing community with the help from all of you. United We Row is not a campaign; it’s a commitment to take the joy and benefits of rowing to everyone.  

Check out a few highlights from United We Row in 2024, as a combination of programs, initiatives, and campaigns: 

• USRowing wins the USOPC DE&I Choice Award 
  • For the fourth time since the inception of the award in 2015, USRowing has been selected as the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee's recipient of the NGB Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Choice Award for the United We Row grants program. 
• USRowing sings the IWG’s Brighton plus Helsinki Declaration bolstering our commitment to improving gender equality as part of our comprehensive DEI plan. 
• USRowing at the Head of the Charles 
  • This year at the 2024 Head of the Charles, United We Row hosted the "Celebrating, Remembering, & Honoring: Rowing Through Cancer" lunch with the Survivor Rowing Network, uniting teams from the U.S., Italy, and France to honor teammates lost to cancer. The United We Row brunch followed on Saturday, featuring speakers like Tara Hoffman from Recovery on Water, 2024 Paralympian Todd Vogt, and Hobart rower Conrad Palmer. They highlighted the importance of diversity in rowing and USRowing’s commitment to accessibility through grants and scholarships. 2023 USOPC Para Coach of the Year Ellen Minzner hosted her largest Path to Para event at the Head of the Charles with the 2024 Paralympic PR3 four with coxswain that defeated Great Britain and set a course record.  

• Scholarships – To better ensure equitable access to camps, United We Row provided $200,000 to athletes at all of USRowing’s Olympic and Paralympic Development Camps and Selection Camps and to coaches for continuing education such as conferences, clinics, USRowing certifications, and ride-along. 
• Grants – Elevating great work in the rowing community among a diverse representation of organizations, we've provided $70,000 to clubs that are increasing representation in rowing. ​ 
• Events – Building community is critical to the success of our sport and we've had hundreds of attendees over multiple events this year to connect. ​ 
• Toast in the Tower Photos 
• Boathouse Brilliance Photos 
• HOCR - Survivor Celebration Photos 
• HOCR - UWR Breakfast Photos 

• Launch Curriculum – The Launch is USRowing's online learning platform for sharing online course modules, resources, best practices, and more. Once you're in, click on "Nine Things to Know about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at USRowing,” “Opening the Boathouse Doors,” or “Sexual Misconduct and Abuse Prevention, Support, and Resources” to get started. 
• United We Row Summit – This event brought together hundreds of rowing leaders, coaches, and community members over two days to share stories, network, and learn practical strategies for fostering inclusion and accessibility within rowing programs.  

• USRowing Awards $70,000 in 2024 United We Row Grants - USRowing is delighted to announce the awarding of $70,000 in 2024 United We Row grants to nine community rowing organizations that will impact over 400 rowers collectively. Over 100 grant applications were received during a three-week application window that opened in April of this year 
• November is Native American Heritage Month, please check out the resource guide and stay tuned for member highlights.   

Looking Ahead:   

This year, USRowing continues to grow United We Row (UWR) and continues making tangible changes within the rowing community with the help from all of you. United We Row is not a campaign; it’s a commitment to take the joy and benefits of rowing to everyone. 

As we look ahead to 2025, we are excited to continue growing United We Row alongside the incredible community we serve. Our goal remains to support athletes, coaches, and programs with direct pathways to support and opportunities within rowing. 

In 2025, we are expanding the UWR Grant Program. There will be a grant town hall on March 25th, and applications will open on April 3rd. Athletes and coaches have the opportunity to receive scholarships, stay tuned for more details in February. Additionally, we will host community calls through 2025, offering a space for members to connect, share best practices, and support one another. You can register here for the first call beginning January 21st.  

The United We Row Mentorship Program will also return in February 2025. This initiative empowers underrepresented coaches in rowing to build connections, advance their coaching development, and elevate their professional growth. You can learn more and apply to be a mentor or mentee using this link. One 2024 mentorship participant shared, “There are probably many coaches who don’t have resources in their club or community. This program provides a safe space to ask questions and get support.” 

There are many exciting opportunities to look forward to in 2025, so keep an eye out for United We Row communications. We look forward to continued growth alongside you.