This Friday, the NBA Foundation announced 22 new grants, which amount to a total of $6 million, that will be utilized to "create employment opportunities, further career advancement and drive greater economic empowerment for Black youth," according to a press statement obtained by EBONY. The announcement of the grant recipients has been timed to the one-year anniversary of the incorporation of the NBA Foundation, which is laser-focused on closing the racial wealth gap.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate our one-year anniversary by awarding 22 deserving organizations with new grants that will further their efforts and our shared mission to create short- and long-term opportunity for Black young people," Greg Taylor, the NBA Foundation's Executive Director, tells EBONY. "These national and local organizations promote school-to-career and workforce development opportunities in their communities every day, focusing on specific areas including STEM education, development pathways outside of traditional higher education, legal careers, performing arts, and more."
In its first year alone, the NBA Foundation has announced 40 grants, which amount to $11 million in funding to nonprofit organizations.
“While I have pride when reflecting on the first year of the NBA Foundation, I am filled more with inspiration; inspiration from the grantees who we’ve formed a community with, and the work they do each day, as well as inspiration from the NBA family’s commitment to creating greater outcomes for Black youth," adds Taylor "A year ago, the NBA’s Board of Governors and the National Basketball Players Association joined forces to create the NBA Foundation with a mission to drive economic opportunity in the Black community through employment and career development by funding programs that generate successful transitions from school to meaningful employment for Black youth."
The third round of grant recipients include:
New Door Ventures
The Center for Teen Empowerment
Just the Beginning – A Pipeline Organization
SGA Youth & Family Services
Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan
Detroit Employment Solutions Corporation
Sphinx Organization
Running Rebels Community Organization
Summit Academy OIC
The Sanneh Foundation
YouthForce NOLA
All Star Code
SEO (Sponsors for Educational Opportunity, Inc.)
Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDCo)
Hopeworks Camden
DC Central Kitchen
National Summer Learning Association
Black Girl Ventures
College Possible
Equal Opportunity Schools
Kingmakers of Oakland
The Hidden Genius Project
iMentor
Founded in August 2020, the NBA Foundation has committed to "utilizing the collective $30 million annual commitment from the NBA Board of Governors as well as additional funding sources" to reduce the racial wealth gap by working with local and national organizations "that promote school-to-career and workforce development opportunities."
"While serving in a different role at the NBA, I witnessed this bold move into philanthropy grow out of countless conversations recognizing that the NBA family had a responsibility to take meaningful action after the tragic murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others," says Taylor. "Over the past year, we have granted $11 million to 40 grantees (30 local and 10 national) and advanced workforce development, education and entrepreneurship outcomes for Black youth."
To learn more about the NBA Foundation, click here.
