Through his Jordan Brand company, the basketball icon will
offer social organizations funds from a $1 million community grant program to
help meet objectives in combating issues that plague Black communities. Firms
with budgets of $3 million or less will be considered for the grants.
Applicants can apply until April 30, are required to be
U.S.-based and 501(c)(3) confirmed. Non-profit group Rockefeller Philanthropy
Advisors is coordinating the program, which will distribute money from Jordan
brand’s $100 million pledge to fight racism and income inequality.
“Since announcing our commitment to the Black Community in
June of 2020, we’ve been focused on two things – action and impact,” Jordan
brand president Craig Williams said in a statement. “I’m excited about the
impact these grants will have in the Black Community. We know that when we
create positive change for the Black Community, there is a benefit for almost
every other group.”
Jordan’s brand joined top companies who donated funds to the
Black community following a series of high-profile police killings in 2020,
including George Floyd’s death. Former police officer Derek Chauvin is
currently standing trial for killing Floyd and faces charges of second and
third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
The Jordan brand made donations of up to $1 million last
July, distributing money from the pledge to the NAACP, the Formerly
Incarcerated and Convicted People and Families Movement (FICPFM), and Black
Voters Matter organization.