Since its inception, a North Star for the NBA has been teamwork.

And for nearly as long as its existence, the NBA has been extending its reach beyond basketball and partnering with communities worldwide to truly bring their residents into the spirit of the game.

In 2020, the NBA took its commitment to the community to the next level. The NBA Foundation was founded in August that year to empower communities – specifically Black youth across the country – and work with them to close the wealth gap and build lasting futures by creating generational wealth, committing $300 million over the next 10 years.

In its first year, the NBA Foundation has already awarded 40 grants to nonprofits in the U.S. and Canada, with funding and resources totaling $11M since it began. The organization committed itself to funding social justice and youth empowerment programs, partnering with national and local community organizations that are really working with the people to build better futures.

Whether these organizations focus on education, mentorship, career advancement or other workforce development-related topics, the common thread is creating access and economic opportunity for the Black community, starting with the youngest members.

Take a look at some of the community partnerships built nationwide, with targeted efforts to reach communities where it’s most needed and can do the most good.

Caption: NBA Foundation Grantee – Road to Hire

Here are some of the grant recipients from the start of Year One:

NBA-Today

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