NBA Foundation, Chicago Beyond, and Chicago Bulls Announce Grant Recipients for Initiative Supporting Nonprofits Driving Economic Opportunity for Black Youth and Communities

Today, national philanthropic organization Chicago Beyond, in partnership with the NBA Foundation and the Chicago Bulls, announced the continuation of a $1 million collaboration to support Black-led nonprofit organizations that are creating opportunities for Black youth and communities in Chicago. The initiative marks the expansion of the NBA Foundation’s first-ever collaborative grant to deploy resources and reach more organizations at the local level, leveraging Chicago Beyond’s expertise and trust-based philanthropic model, as well as the Chicago Bulls’ long-standing commitment to addressing critical issues in the city.

The NBA Foundation, Chicago Beyond, and the Chicago Bulls have jointly contributed a total of $1 million to reach hyperlocal organizations that offer transformative solutions based on a deep understanding of community needs, making this truly a Chicago-specific initiative. The partnership employs an equitable, trust-based grantmaking approach designed to accelerate impact through streamlined processes and flexible resources, minimizing red tape for grant partners. Grant recipients will be able to use the funding to prioritize initiatives they believe will have the most significant impact on their communities, efficiently stewarding resources for meaningful social change. This approach has proven to have a transformational impact on nonprofit leaders, enabling them to efficiently steward resources.

“We are proud to partner with the NBA Foundation and the Chicago Bulls on this shared mission of recentering and uplifting organizations helping young people build their futures,” said Founder and CEO of Chicago Beyond, Liz Dozier. “This partnership centers on a commitment to trust-based giving and backing solutions led by those closest to the issues. We’re inspired by these community-based organizations and look forward to providing them with support needed to continue to thrive.”

The cohort of grantees includes six organizations taking diverse approaches to serve Black youth and community members in Chicago:

• The BLOC Chicago, cultivating the love of boxing to share transformational resources and opportunities to Chicago’s West Side youth;
• Common Ground Foundation, empowering youth from high-potential communities to become future leaders;
• Dion’s Chicago Dream, identifying and combating food insecurity throughout the Chicagoland area, using nutritional philanthropy as a catalyst to build community and transform lives;
• Firehouse Community Arts Center of Chicago, interrupting the cycle of violence among youth and young adults in North Lawndale through the power of the arts;
• Focus Fairies Mentoring, uplifting and supporting Black and brown young women and girls aged 7-21 living on Chicago’s West and South sides who have been affected by trauma and violence; and
• Hood Heroes, employing, empowering, and equipping youth to do great work in Chicago and wherever they may grow to in life.

In the United States, despite an increase in philanthropic funding toward Black communities in 2020, the overall percentage remains alarmingly low—typically ranging from 2% to 12%. Recognizing that this historic spike has since been steadily decreasing, this partnership reaffirms the NBA Foundation, Chicago Beyond, and the Chicago Bulls’ unwavering commitment to centering and uplifting Black youth and communities in Chicago. By promoting racial equity in philanthropy and championing flexible grants for lesser-known nonprofits, the organizations aim to inspire others nationwide to embrace more generous and inclusive giving practices.

This partnership also represents a continuation of the essential role the Chicago Bulls play in supporting under-resourced Chicagoans. Using the power of basketball, the Bulls strive to go beyond just providing financial support by investing more holistically in the community and its leaders. One example of this is the Black-Owned Business initiative, run in partnership with BMO. The initiative and all the Bulls’ activities stemming from it are designed to elevate the impactful organizations in Chicago and encourage collaboration, development, and relationship building among entrepreneurs.

Each grantee as part of this initiative has been reviewed by the NBA Foundation, Chicago Beyond, and the Chicago Bulls, with a focus on centering the voices and needs of the community. This cohort of grantees expands upon earlier investments in True Star Media, ChiFresh Kitchen, The Evolved Network, and I AM CHI Foundation.