NBA Players Association Provides Over $500,000 In Matching Grants For Players’ Own Donations

New York, NY (May 5, 2020) The National Basketball Players Association Foundation announced Tuesday that it had contributed more than $500,000 in matching player grants over the past two months ... and not just for fighting Covid-19.

During the last six weeks, the NBPA Foundation partnered with 21 players to match their philanthropic support in their respective communities around the world. 

These grants have fallen primarily into two categories:

Relief Efforts Related to the COVID-19 pandemic. This has includedfunding of medical supplies locally and abroad, expanding testing capacity, providing meals to families and frontline workers and providing educational supplies for students at home. 

Disaster Relief Efforts After the Croatian Earthquake - This has included funding for a hospital in Zagreb, Croatia, and supporting rebuilding efforts in areas impacted by the earthquake.

The NBPA Foundation, headed by Executive Director Sherie Deans, provided matching grants for the following players’ own donations:

Ante Zizic, Cleveland Cavaliers: Supporting rebuilding efforts following the Croatian earthquake in March 2020 (University Hospital Centre Zagreb).

Bogdan Bogdanovic, Sacramento Kings: Providing personal protective equipment to medical professionals in Serbia (Humanitarian Organization Divac Foundation).

Bojan Bogdanovic, Utah Jazz: Supporting a local Bosnian hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic (University Clinical Hospital of Mostar).

Brandan Wright, Retired: Working to provide a digital learning community for his AAU team (Team Brandan Wright).

Danilo Gallinari, Oklahoma City Thunder: Providing operating support to create a temporary hospital for COVID-19 patients (Regione Lombardia Local Government).

Dario Saric, Phoenix Suns: Supporting rebuilding efforts following the Croatian earthquake in March 2020 (University Hospital Centre Zagreb).

Dennis Smith Jr., New York Knicks: Providing meals for medical responders and emergency room employees in Fayetteville, NC during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation). An additional grant was also matched to provide technology equipment for K-12 students in Cumberland County, N.C. (Cumberland Community Foundation).

Denzel Valentine, Chicago Bulls: Supporting food distribution efforts in Lansing, Mich. for families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic (Great Lansing Food Bank).

D.J. Augustin, Orlando Magic: Providing meals to frontline hospital workers in New Orleans during the COVID-19 pandemic (Krewe of Red Beans).

Dragan Bender, Golden State Warriors: Supporting rebuilding efforts following the Croatian earthquake in March 2020 (University Hospital Centre Zagreb).

Dzanan Musa, Brooklyn Nets: Providing general operating support to a local hospital in Sarajevo, Bosnia to assist doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic (Dr. Irfan Ljubijankic Cantonal Hospital).   

Ivica Zubac, Los Angeles Clippers: Supporting rebuilding efforts following the Croatian earthquake in March 2020 (University Hospital Centre Zagreb).

Jonathan Isaac, Orlando Magic: Supporting food distribution efforts in Orlando, Fla. for families impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic (Project Life)

Kyle Korver, Milwaukee Bucks: Supporting local youth and homeless individuals in Philadelphia during the COVID-19 pandemic (Helping Hands Rescue Mission).

Luka Samanic, San Antonio Spurs: Supporting rebuilding efforts following the Croatian earthquake in March 2020 (University Hospital Centre Zagreb)

Marco Belinelli, San Antonio Spurs: Supporting a local hospital in Reggio Emilia, Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic (AUSL Reggio Emilia Bologna).

Mario Hezonja, Portland Trail Blazers: Providing personal protective equipment to medical professionals in Dubrovnik, Croatia (Dubrovnik General Hospital).

Nemanja Bjelica, Sacramento Kings: Providing personal protective equipment to medical professionals in Serbia (Humanitarian Organization Divac Foundation).

Nicolo Melli, New Orleans Pelicans: Supporting a local hospital in Reggio Emilia, Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic (AUSL Reggio Emilia Bologna).

Steph Curry, Golden State Warriors: Supporting food distribution efforts for low-income families in Oakland, Calif. (Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation).

Zach Randolph, Retired: Providing meals and educational supplies for K-12 students in Shelby County, Tenn. during the COVID-19 pandemic (SchoolSeed Foundation).

Established in 1997, The National Basketball Players Association Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of its members and providing support and assistance to persons, communities and organizations throughout the world that seek to improve the lives of those in need. 

Through grants that match players’ philanthropy and charitable giving, the foundation highlights and accelerates the real and collaborative work that basketball players do worldwide to build their communities and create meaningful change.

About the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) Foundation:

Established in 1997, The National Basketball Players Association Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of its members and providing support and assistance to persons, communities and organizations throughout the world that seek to improve the lives of those in need.  Through grants that match players’ philanthropy and charitable giving, the Foundation highlights and accelerates the real and collaborative work that basketball players do worldwide to build their communities and create meaningful change.