In New Orleans, nonprofits see new money and new inclusive approach from the NBA Foundation
The National Basketball Association formalized its giving over the past four years through a new $300 million grantmaking arm
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A classic summertime scene unfolded at a nonprofit's newest site. The girls' team was winning a lively indoor kickball game among young campers. Air conditioning blared. The hit song “Dance Monkey” played throughout the old school building's gym.
None of it was possible just two years ago at this New Orleans East location.
The Youth Empowerment Project long saw an urgent need to house its out-of-school enrichment programs in this historically underserved, majority-Black suburb with high concentrations of kids, poverty and violence after Hurricane Katrina. But YEP couldn’t afford the extra $500,000 in staffing costs for another location, according to founder Melissa Sawyer.
That changed with support from the recently established NBA Foundation.
