In New Orleans, nonprofits see new money and new inclusive approach from the NBA Foundation
The National Basketball Association formalized its giving over the past four years through a new $300 million grantmaking arm
NEW ORLEANS — A classic summertime scene unfolded at a nonprofit's newest site. The girls' team was winning a lively indoor kickball game among young campers. Air conditioning blared. The hit song “Dance Monkey” played throughout the old school building's gym.
None of it was possible just two years ago at this New Orleans East location.
The Youth Empowerment Project long saw an urgent need to house its out-of-school enrichment programs in this historically underserved, majority-Black suburb with high concentrations of kids, poverty and violence after Hurricane Katrina. But YEP couldn’t afford the extra $500,000 in staffing costs for another location, according to founder Melissa Sawyer.
That changed with support from the recently established NBA Foundation.
The National Basketball Association formalized its giving over the past four years through a new $300 million grantmaking arm, sending flexible funding to nonprofits focused on boosting economic opportunity for Black youth. Recipients report few strings attached and comprehensive application processes — a forward-thinking model they'd like to see adopted across other foundations and professional athletics.
The end goal is also one that receives scant attention from donors. Funding specifically in support of Black people made up about 2% of overall philanthropy in the U.S. from 2006 to 2017, according to research group Candid, peaking the year after a police officer shot and killed Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri.
This story is part of an AP ongoing series exploring the impact, legacy and ripple effects of what is widely called the
Read more on abcnews.go.com
