Social Impact

NBA Mission: Inspire and Connect People Everywhere Through The Power of Basketball

As part of the NBA’s mission we will continue to use our influence to effect change around a wide range of issues, including racial equality, health and wellness, education, environmental responsibility and sustainability, and diversity and inclusion. Our work in these areas all fall within the below programs and initiatives.

NBA Cares

NBA Cares is the league’s global social responsibility program that unites people and communities through the game of basketball and shines a light on important social issues – including race, gender, LGBTQ and health equity, education, physical and mental health and wellness, environmental responsibility, and youth, family and community development.

NBA Foundation

Established in August 2020, the NBA Foundation is the league’s first-ever charitable foundation dedicated to driving economic opportunity for Black youth in NBA markets across the United States and Canada. The Foundation invests in local and national organizations that promote school-to-career and workforce development opportunities. To date, it has provided more than $53 million in grant support to 130+ nonprofit organizations impacting 70,000 Black youth in all 28 NBA markets.

National Basketball Social Justice Coalition

The National Basketball Social Justice Coalition is an organization of players, coaches, team governors, and executives leading the NBA family’s advocacy work to dismantle racial inequality and advance social justice.

NBA Diversity and Inclusion

At the NBA, we celebrate our common love of the game, building connections that enable us to leverage our differences. Basketball transcends all dimensions of diversity – those you can see, and those you can’t. We practice inclusion through recruiting and development, culture and economic engagement.

HBCUs

The NBA’s ongoing support of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) focuses on creating greater opportunity for students and alumni through professional development, career advancement, and increased support and awareness for HBCU athletics and institutions. Core components of this work include the NBA HBCU Fellowship Program and the NBA HBCU Classic.

Our Programs in Action

Stephen vs. Sabrina 3-Point Content

NBA all-time 3-point leader and Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry and WNBA single-season 3-point record holder and New York Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu will compete in “Stephen vs. Sabrina,” the first-ever NBA vs. WNBA 3-Point Challenge, which will take place on Saturday, Feb. 17 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis during State Farm All-Star Saturday Night.

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2024 MLK Day

The NBA honors Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by remembering his proclamation “The time is always right to do what is right.” This call-to-action invites everyone to embody Dr. King’s legacy through action that answers the needs of today.

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NBA Paris: Jr. NBA x Nets Clinic

In partnership with the City of Paris, Paris Basket 18 and Levallois Sporting Club, the NBA and Brooklyn Nets will host 50 young women from Paris Basket 18 at Palais des Sports Marcel-Cerdan for a Jr. NBA Clinic. The basketball clinic – led by NBA Basketball Operations and the Brooklyn Nets – will lead participants through a variety of basketball-related activities.

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NBA Paris: NBA Cares Special Olympics Clinic

In partnership with Special Olympics France, the NBA and Cleveland Cavaliers will host 40 Special Olympics Athletes at Palais des Sports Marcel-Cerdan for an NBA Cares Special Olympics Clinic. The basketball clinic – led by NBA Basketball Operations and the Cleveland Cavaliers – will use the game of basketball to unite communities and foster environments of acceptance & inclusion.

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NBA Foundation Semi-Finals Pitch Competition

The NBA Foundation, in collaboration with Pacers Sports & Entertainment, Elevate Ventures, Be Nimble Foundation and Sixty8 Capital will host the All-Star Pitch Competition during NBA All-Star 2024, to shine a spotlight on companies led by diverse and innovative tech entrepreneurs in Indiana.

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2024 NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award January Winner: Julius Randle

New York Knicks forward Julius Randle as the NBA Cares Bob Lanier Community Assist Award winner for the month of January. Randle is being recognized for his efforts uplifting, encouraging and supporting local youth.

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NBA Social Impact Report

The 2022-23 NBA Social Impact Report is the second annual compilation of data and information regarding the league office’s efforts in what is commonly known as “Environmental, Social, and Governance“ (E.S.G.) work. Contents of the report include the league’s programs and initiatives around community outreach, youth and elite basketball development, social justice, and diversity and inclusion, among other important areas that reflect our values and commitment.

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FAQ: NBA Cares

Launched in 2005, NBA Cares serves as the league’s global social responsibility platform, fulfilling the NBA’s mission by working to address important social issues. Working alongside internationally recognized youth serving organizations, the NBA family has provided more than 6.2 million hours of hands-on service and helped create more than 2,041 places where kids and families can live, learn or play in 40 countries and territories.

All 30 NBA Teams work throughout the season to identify specific needs and challenges facing their communities and partner with local community stakeholders to make an impact through NBA Cares events and programming.

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FAQ: National Basketball Social Justice Coalition

The National Basketball Social Justice Coalition is a 501(c)(4) advocacy organization that leads the NBA family’s collaborative efforts to advance social justice. The Coalition was formed in 2020 as a joint venture of the National Basketball Association (NBA), National Basketball Players Association (NBPA), and National Basketball Coaches Association (NBCA).

The Coalition leverages the game of basketball’s influence to promote policy, build strategic partnerships, and empower action on racial inequality and social justice.

The Coalition is led by a board of fifteen, including 5 players, 5 team governors, 2 head coaches, the NBA Commissioner, the NBA Deputy Commissioner, and the Executive Director of the NBPA. Day-to-day operations are executed by a team of full-time Coalition employees.

Since tipping off its agenda, the Coalition has advocated on a bipartisan basis for better laws and policies on policing reform, on voting rights, and on criminal justice reform.

As a 501(c)(4) organization, the Coalition adds new tools to the NBA family’s social impact work—engaging in direct legislative and policy advocacy on justice issues.

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FAQ: NBA Foundation

The Foundation makes grants across the United States and Canada with a specific focus on the NBA’s 28 markets.

The first step in the NBA Foundation’s grantmaking process is submitting a brief application through the Foundation’s grants application portal. Additional instructions can be found here. If you have any questions or technical issues, please direct all inquiries to info@nbafoundation.com.

To be considered for a grant from the NBA Foundation, your organization must meet the following requirements:

  • Qualify as a registered 501(c)3 tax organization or a T3010 if operating in Canada
  • Focus on promoting school-to-career employment opportunities that target Black youth ages 14-24 years old
  • Serve a minimum of 25 youth annually across your programs

The Foundation does not support:

  • Direct donations or grants to individuals
  • Individual scholarships or sponsorships
  • Projects or programs primarily focused on serving adults over the age of 25
  • Political campaigns and lobbying efforts
  • After school or Pre-K programs
  • Hospitals

The NBA HBCU Fellowship Program aims to provide career development opportunities in the business of basketball for undergraduate and graduate students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Fellows are selected by NBA teams and the league office to work within a variety of departments, including ticket sales, corporate partnerships, legal, social responsibility, and marketing. The Fellowship Program is a paid 10-week summer internship program and will run from June – August.

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