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National Basketball Association Foundation

Grant Range
$25K - $0.3M
Decision Time
3mo

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $141 million (total to date)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly available
  • Decision Time: 12 weeks
  • Grant Range: $25,000 - $250,000 (average)
  • Geographic Focus: United States and Canada (NBA team markets)

Contact Details

Overview

The NBA Foundation is the National Basketball Association's first 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, established in August 2020 with a 10-year, $300 million commitment. The foundation drives economic opportunity for under-resourced youth ages 14-24 by investing in programs that support school-to-career employment opportunities. Since its inception, the foundation has awarded $141 million in grants to over 300 nonprofit partners, impacting approximately 837,000 youth across NBA team markets in the United States and Canada. The foundation focuses on creating meaningful career pathways through strategic partnerships with organizations that promote job readiness, skill training, job placement, and career advancement.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Standard Grants: $25,000 - $250,000 average (one-year and two-year options available)
    • Applied through FLUXX portal during two annual application windows
    • Grants typically represent 10-12% of organization's budget
  • HBCU Fellowship Program: Support for historically black colleges and universities (launched 2022)
  • All-Star Pitch Competition: Annual competition for innovative youth programs (launched 2022)
  • Tech Challenge: Technology-focused initiative launched at AfroTech (2024)

Priority Areas

  • Job readiness and workforce development
  • Skill training and career advancement
  • Job placement programs
  • School-to-career transitions
  • Support across diverse industries including:
    • Arts and creative industries
    • Criminal justice reform
    • Healthcare
    • Music and entertainment
    • STEM fields
    • Sports and athletics
    • Technology and innovation
    • Skilled trades
    • Entrepreneurship

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, the foundation focuses exclusively on:

  • Youth ages 14-24
  • Organizations in NBA team markets
  • Employment and career development programs
  • Organizations must be 501(c)(3) tax-exempt

Governance and Leadership

The NBA Foundation operates as the league's first 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Board Member Harrison Barnes (San Antonio Spurs Forward) has stated that the foundation is about "creating lasting change, building bridges, and supporting the next generation of leaders." The foundation leverages the collective resources and influence of the 30 NBA teams to create impact in their respective markets.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Organizations apply through the FLUXX grant management portal:

  1. Create an account on the FLUXX system
  2. Receive confirmation email (expires within 48 hours)
  3. Complete the comprehensive grant application
  4. Submit required documentation:
    • Program Budget
    • IRS Form 990
    • Board List
    • Organizational Budget
    • Optional: Annual Report

Decision Timeline

  • Application Windows: Two cycles per year
  • Current Cycle Example: October 1st - November 14th
  • Response Time: Within 12 weeks of submission
  • Organizations are notified through the FLUXX portal

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed. The foundation has supported 307 nonprofit partners to date from its total applicant pool.

Reapplication Policy

Information not publicly available regarding unsuccessful applicants' ability to reapply.

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's priorities and requirements:

  • Demonstrate clear focus on youth ages 14-24 in NBA team markets
  • Show measurable outcomes in job placement and career advancement
  • Maintain minimum service of 25 youth annually
  • Request grants that align with the 10-12% of organizational budget guideline
  • Present comprehensive workforce development programs that span from training to placement
  • Highlight connections to diverse industries and career pathways
  • Ensure all required documentation is current and complete, particularly IRS Form 990

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • The NBA Foundation has significant resources with $300 million committed over 10 years
  • Average grants of $250,000 make this a major funding opportunity for qualifying organizations
  • Geographic restriction to NBA team markets is strict - ensure your service area qualifies
  • The 10-12% budget guideline helps determine appropriate request amounts
  • Two application windows per year require strategic timing of submissions
  • Focus proposals on measurable employment outcomes rather than general youth development
  • The foundation values innovation as evidenced by their pitch competitions and special programs

References

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