Supporting Black-Led Nonprofits
In 2024, the NBA Foundation and Chicago Beyond announced a $1 million collaboration to support Black-led nonprofit organizations that are advancing enrichment and opportunity for young people in Chicago. The initiative marks the NBA Foundation’s first-ever collaborative grant to deploy resources, building upon Chicago Beyond’s expertise and philanthropic model.
To fund this effort, Chicago Beyond and the NBA Foundation have each contributed $500,000, and selected nonprofits will use the funding and prioritize the initiatives they believe will have the most significant impact in their communities. This approach enables those closest to the issues to efficiently steward resources as they strive for social change.
Meet Our Partners
This initial cohort of grantees includes four Black-led organizations taking diverse approaches to serving young people and community members in Chicago:
True Star Media
Inspires young people to forge their own paths by providing jobs and training that teaches them to create, develop, and market digital content on platforms that celebrate their identity and perspectives.
ChiFresh Kitchen
A worker cooperative owned by women formerly incarcerated that collaborates with urban farms, food operators, worker centers, policy advocates, and other community organizations led by people of color on the South and West Sides of Chicago. The organization promotes food sovereignty, racial justice, and equitable food access in the city.
The Evolved Network
A nonprofit that provides experiential programming through culinary skills and gardening, equipping young people in systemically oppressed communities with transformative healing, skills, and support needed to evolve into masters of their unique gifts.
I AM CHI Foundation
A nonprofit that seeks to support Chicago’s young people through tutoring, mentoring, counseling, and job training opportunities that will put them on a path to success.
