Sneaker giant Nike and its most successful brand offering, Jordan Brand, have announced the opening of the first cycle of community grants that will provide $1 million to local, grassroots organizations fighting for Black social justice.
The Jordan Wings Program is part of Nike’s 10-year, $100 million commitment to the Black community that was announced in June of 2020 following the global protests of the killing of George Floyd.
On May 31 of last year, NBA icon Michael Jordan issued a statement about Floyd’s killing.
“I am deeply saddened, truly pained and plain angry,” said the retired Chicago Bulls star and current Charlotte Hornets owner. “I stand with those who are calling out the ingrained racism and violence toward people of color in our country. We have had enough.”
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The grants will be facilitated by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, and applications will be open for 30 days, from March 31 to April 30, 2021. Non-profit organizations with an annual budget of $3 million per year or less are encouraged to apply.
Applications will be reviewed by members of the Jordan Brand and Michael Jordan Family Office teams.
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“Since announcing our commitment to the Black community in June of 2020, we’ve been focused on two things — action and impact,” explains Craig Williams, president of Jordan Brand. “I’m excited about the impact these grants will have in local communities. We know that when we create positive change for the Black community, it benefits everyone.”
In the announcement last year, Jordan Brand declared, “Jordan Brand is us, the Black Community.”
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“Jordan Brand is more than one man. It has always been a family,” it read. “We represent a proud family that has overcome obstacles, fought against discrimination in communities worldwide and that works every day to erase the stain of racism and the damage of injustice.”
The application is facilitated by GrantsConnect and is available here.
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