During the summer of last year, at the height of the social justice reckoning, Michael Jordan and the Jordan Brand announced a $100 million pledge to support the Black community over the next 10 years.
This week, the two entities are continuing that mission by launching the first cycle of its newly-launched Community Grants program — which aims to provide $1 million in grants to local, grassroots and social organizations that are striving to create a more equitable future for Black America.
“Since announcing our commitment to the Black community in June of 2020, we’ve been focused on two things — action and impact,” Craig Williams, President of Jordan Brand, shared in a statement. “I’m excited about the impact these grants will have in local communities. We know that when we create positive change for the Black community, it benefits everyone.”
According to a blog post from Nike, the first round of Community Grants — which are Facilitated by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors — are open for applicants to apply now up until April 30.
In order to qualify, all completed applications will need to be submitted by organizations who had an outlined mission or slate of programming that aligns with one of the focus areas for the Community Grants Program. An advisory committee comprised of members from the Jordan Brand and Michael Jordan Family Office teams will then review all submitted applications.
As an extension of its previously-announced commitment, Michael Jordan and the Jordan Brand are setting out to support these social organizations in a capacity that uplifts racial equality, justice, and community.
Last year, both entities gave donations that totaled between $500,000 and $1 million that were each given to the commitment’s first national partners — the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF), the Formerly Incarcerated Convicted People & Families Movement (FICPFM) and Black Voters Matter — which all share a dedicated mission to be drivers of transformative change across the country.
For information on how to apply for the Community Grants Program, click here.