Social Impact
NBA Mission: Inspire and Connect People Everywhere Through The Power of Basketball
As part of the NBA’s mission we will continue to use our influence to effect change around a wide range of issues, including racial equality, health and wellness, education, environmental responsibility and sustainability, and diversity and inclusion. Our work in these areas all fall within the below programs and initiatives.
NBA Cares
NBA Cares is the league’s global social responsibility program that unites people and communities through the game of basketball and shines a light on important social issues – including race, gender, LGBTQ and health equity, education, physical and mental health and wellness, environmental responsibility, and youth, family and community development.
NBA Foundation
Established in August 2020, the NBA Foundation is the league’s first-ever charitable foundation dedicated to driving economic opportunity for Black youth in NBA markets across the United States and Canada. The Foundation invests in local and national organizations that promote school-to-career and workforce development opportunities. To date, it has provided more than $53 million in grant support to 130+ nonprofit organizations impacting 70,000 Black youth in all 28 NBA markets.
National Basketball Social Justice Coalition
The National Basketball Social Justice Coalition is an organization of players, coaches, team governors, and executives leading the NBA family’s advocacy work to dismantle racial inequality and advance social justice.
NBA Diversity and Inclusion
At the NBA, we celebrate our common love of the game, building connections that enable us to leverage our differences. Basketball transcends all dimensions of diversity – those you can see, and those you can’t. We practice inclusion through recruiting and development, culture and economic engagement.
HBCUs
The NBA’s ongoing support of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) focuses on creating greater opportunity for students and alumni through professional development, career advancement, and increased support and awareness for HBCU athletics and institutions. Core components of this work include the NBA HBCU Fellowship Program and the NBA HBCU Classic.

Maui Relief Efforts
The NBA family is working together with a number of disaster relief organizations to provide immediate and critical support to those affected by the Maui wildfires.
NBA Social Impact Report
The 2022-23 NBA Social Impact Report is the second annual compilation of data and information regarding the league office’s efforts in what is commonly known as “Environmental, Social, and Governance“ (E.S.G.) work. Contents of the report include the league’s programs and initiatives around community outreach, youth and elite basketball development, social justice, and diversity and inclusion, among other important areas that reflect our values and commitment.
