The NBA Foundation gives $6M in grants to create future opportunities for black communities

The NBA has dedicated more resources to contributing to the social justice sector for its inaugural year. 

Within a year, the NBA has better demonstrated a understanding of investing in social-justice-driven philanthropy. This has helped the league put its money and resources where they're most needed to secure a future for the next generation of Black leaders.

The NBA recently announced that its newly-created foundation, the NBA Foundation celebrated its one year anniversary last week by giving $6 million in grants to 22 organizations whose goal is to "create unemployment opportunities" for black people.

"As part of its one-year anniversary, the NBA Foundation announced 22 new grants totaling $6 million today to help create employment opportunities, further career advancement and drive greater economic empowerment for Black youth."

The 22 recipients were part of the foundation's third round of grant funding to be sent out in the first year. The list included Black Girl Ventures. The NBA Foundation team has collectively given grants worth $11 million to help in the fight against racial inequality in the US, as part of its $300 million commitment over the next 10 years.

Greg Taylor, NBA Foundation Executive Director described the 22 organizations as deserving and that the foundation was committed to furthering their effort and mission to create both short and long term opportunities for Black young people. "The commitment shown by NBA players, teams and governors in our inaugural year has been inspiring, and we look forward to deepening our efforts and operating with intention to reach more youth in additional cities in years to come," he said in a statement.

In its third round grant, the foundation awarded All Star Code —a non-profit computer science organization that creates opportunities for Black and Latino men— a six-figure grant to support their programs. According to the group, the new funding will help it expand and reach about 100,000 students over the next 10 years.

Taylor said that the foundation's next step for the rest of the year is to award $30 million in grants to more organizations. The NBA Foundation also hopes that its next set of goals will enable it to continue to invest in the futures of young black people across the country.

"I think it is about forming really strategic partnership with organizations that have been leading in the economic opportunity for Black youth space much longer than we have, I think that's one." Taylor said in an interview. "I think, two, we continue to spread the word about the NBA Foundation, recognizing we're a brand-new philanthropy. So, many folks don't know about us. We want to get the brand reputation, our effectiveness, and our efficiency out, our reputation out for everyone to know."

He added that the foundation will commit more to dig deeper into its core strategy and take a deep dive into researching family-sustaining jobs that are meaningful and effective enough that young people can be gotten into. In addition, the foundation will deepen its partnership around the work.