Grants Further Organizations’ Local Efforts of Driving Opportunities for Black Communities
SAN ANTONIO (Aug. 11, 2022) –The NBA Foundation and the San Antonio Spurs today announced two local nonprofits as recipients of NBA Foundation grants. Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas and Community Options, Inc. will receive grants that will support the organizations’ local efforts to promote meaningful economic empowerment for Black communities.
The NBA Foundation’s mission is to drive economic opportunity in the Black community through employment and career development by funding programs that generate successful transitions from school to meaningful employment for Black youth ages 14-24. The foundation aligns with NBA teams and team-affiliated organizations to invest in partnerships that promote school-to-career employment opportunities including job readiness, skills training, job placement and career advancement.
The NBA Foundation grant will support the BIG Futures program at the San Antonio chapter of Big Brother Big Sisters of South Texas. The college and career readiness program provides economic empowerment to young people in underrepresented communities. BIG Futures is designed to equip young people for post-secondary success through career mentoring, education, and access to key opportunities that extend beyond age 18.
“Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas is humbled and excited for the investment that the NBA Foundation and the Spurs are making to serve our community’s Black and Brown youth through the power of mentoring,” said Hugh Farr, Chief Development Officer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Texas. “These funds will help recruit mentors of color and expand our supportive services across the community more effectively.”
Community Options, Inc. of San Antonio established a presence in San Antonio in 2005 to provide residential and employment services to individuals with disabilities in San Antonio and surrounding areas. The NBA Foundation grant will support Community Option’s workforce development programmatic efforts for Black youth with disabilities. Referred young people will receive job exploration, work-based assessments, counseling, vocational training, job placement, and follow-up services.
“Community Options is thrilled to partner with the NBA Foundation and the Spurs to create greater equity, inclusion and opportunity for Black youth with disabilities in the San Antonio area,” said Kelii Williams, San Antonio Area Executive Director for Community Options, Inc. “Employment programs that place and support youth in integrated environments with competitive pay are critically needed. In partnership with the NBA, we will bring these critical services to San Antonio.”
To learn more about the NBA Foundation or apply for a grant, please visit www.nbafoundation.com or follow @NBAFoundation.