The executive producers of "Heated Rivalry," Jacob Tierney and Brendan Brady, have launched the Irina Foundation, a new charitable organisation dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA2S+ and underserved communities through participation in sports and the arts. The foundation is inspired by a fictional foundation of the same name from Rachel Reid's "Game Changers" universe and honours Ilya's mother in the story, reflecting the show's emphasis on belonging and community. Kate Spade New York has become the foundation's inaugural donor, with the men's grooming brand Harry's also providing early support.

The foundation builds on substantial fundraising momentum, having already raised over £1.5 million in recent months for organisations including You Can Play, the New York LGBTQ Center and Rainbow Railroad. Tierney and Brady emphasised that the foundation represents their way of giving back to the community that has meant so much to them, channelling the love audiences have for "Heated Rivalry" into real-world impact that creates opportunities for queer and underserved communities to participate, build relationships and foster a sense of belonging.