Nike is making a bigger effort to help local nonprofits that work to improve and empower black and brown communities. The brand said that it would give grants totaling $8.9 million to a group of social impact organizations.
The donation is part of Nike’s 2023 Black Community Commitment initiative. The money will help 53 organizations that are making big changes on a national and local scale. The National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, which works to increase Black voter engagement; the Fearless Foundation, which aims to eliminate racial disparities in access to capital faced by entrepreneurs of color; and the entrepreneurship-focused youth nonprofit BUILD are among the new grantees.
All of the grantees are leading work centered on equity in education and social and economic justice in cities that include New York City, St. Louis, Boston, Los Angeles, Memphis, Chicago, and Portland. This is part of Nike’s larger $40 million commitment to advancing racial justice after the horrifying murder of George Floyd in 2020.
“Every day I am inspired by my teammates here at Nike, who recognize the importance of the work we are doing.” “I’m also inspired by the various organizations we partner with that are on the ground, in our communities, committed to creating change and combating the inequities we all face daily,” Nike’s Senior Director of Inclusive Community for Social & Community Impact Karol Collymore shared in a statement.
Melanie Campbell, who is the president and chief executive officer of the National Coalition on Black Civic Participation, said that her donation will help make lasting changes. “Building value-driven coalitions around women and youth empowerment, leadership development, health and wellness, education, and global empowerment is at the heart of our organization’s mission to promote Black civic engagement and racial, economic, and social justice. “When our community has a seat at the table, it benefits everyone in the nation,” she said.
NBA legend Michael Jordan and his Jordan Brand—which is a subsidiary of Nike—have also pledged to donate $100 million in grants over the next decade