The foundation was given $300 million by the 30 NBA team owners to be spread out over ten years. In two years, the foundation has invested $53 million into different non-profit organizations that all aim to help train, mentor and coach Black youths across the US and Canada.
It recently celebrated its two year anniversary by awarding 40 new and renewed grants totaling $20 million, representing its largest grant round to date. All told, 136 grantees and 70,000 young people have benefitted from the initiative so far. The foundation has also created the inaugural NBA x Historically Black Colleges & Universities (HBCU) Fellowship program, which put 60 students from HBCU institutions into paid internship roles within the league office, and with several NBA franchises.
The foundations board consists of Sacramento Kings forward Harrison Barnes, Philadelphia 76ers player Tobias Harris, New Orleans Pelicans governor Gayle Benson, Atlanta Hawks principal owner Tony Ressler, and basketball legend Michael Jordan. When asked in what ways they have spent their budget, they said, “ Our mission is to promote economic opportunity for Black youth aged between 14 and 24 years old.”
The NBA has always does such a great job with this. Love to see billion dollar corporations utilizing their mass wealth for good and opportunities for others.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Cooper, the NBA has always done a great job at not only raising awareness about an issue, but actually doing something about it. They really give their players a platform to express themselves and support them by helping them raise money for these causes.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Andrew and Cooper, I really appreciate how big corporations give back. I think as a whole we should applaud the NBA in hopes other corporations follow suit and do the same. With how much reach and influence these sports companies have they should be doing this on the regular.
ReplyDeleteIt is amazing to see the league giving back. Its also amazing that it's not just the teams, but individual players getting involved and pushing the foundation forward.
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