Thursday, October 1, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds

NBA’s Plan to Help HBCUs

  • More than $3 million will be donated to support HBCUs and communities of color.
  • The NBA and its partners will collectively provide the donations for NBA All-Star 2021.
Photos: CP3 Instagram, Peter Casey-USA TODAY/Design: Alex Brooks

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

As part of All-Star 2021, the NBA and its partners will donate more than $3 million to support HBCUs and communities of color disproportionately impacted by the pandemic. 

Donations will go through four organizations: Thurgood Marshall College Fund, United Negro College Fund, National Association of Equal Opportunity, and Direct Relief’s Fund for Health Equity.

All-Star Game teams will compete for either the UNCF or TMCF, with an initial $500,000 donation to each organization. Another $1.75 million will be donated between the two organizations based on in-game incentives. 

  • For every assist, State Farm will donate $1,900 to the UNCF.
  • For every dunk, AT&T will donate “5Gs,” or $5,000, to the TMCF.
  • AT&T will send $50,000 to an HBCU represented by each Dunk Contest participant, and $100,000 to the winner.
  • Taco Bell will donate an initial $35,000 to each of the six HBCUs represented by Skills Challenge participants, and an additional $40,000 to the winner.
  • In the 3-Point Contest, MTN DEW will award two students $100,000 through a scholarship fund, $3,500 for every successful “Moneyball” make and $5,000 for every “MTN DEW Zone” make.

Though HBCUs account for 20% of the country’s Black graduates, they make up only 3% of all United States colleges. 

COVID impacted these institutions dramatically, as funding and enrollments dropped significantly. These All-Star initiatives are part of an effort to help alleviate those losses.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Atlanta, GA - March 7, 2026 - Turner Studios: Shaquille O'Neal , Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, and Charles Barkley during the 2026 NBA marketing campaign featuring Inside the NBA on ESPN.

Barkley Gets His Wish: More ‘Inside the NBA’ on ESPN This Season

Charles Barkley publicly complained about the show’s previous ESPN schedule.

Sen. Eric Schmitt Doubles Down After Viral ‘Hawks’ Flub

The senator appeared to mix up the Atlanta Hawks and Iowa Hawkeyes.
Apr 26, 2026; Portland, Oregon, USA; San Antonio Spurs guard Stephon Castle (5) drives to the basket during the first half against Portland Trail Blazers forward Jerami Grant (9) during game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Moda Center.

Trail Blazers Affirm Commitment to Stay in Portland

Team president said they’re aiming to finalize a lease extension and renovation deal.
Dec 29, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; The Sacramento Kings logo on the shorts of forward Domantas Sabonis (10) during the game against the Atlanta Hawks during the second half at State Farm Arena.

Kings Reporters Caught Discussing Player Attractiveness on Hot Mic

The incident took place at the Kings’ media day on Monday.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

10/1/26 – MLB Playoff Empty Seats, CFB Viewership Down 11%, Tomlin Unveils ‘Minecraft’ City

0:00

Featured Today

Morishita-Sato-homerun-celebration-at-Meiji-Jingu-Baseball-Staidum-2025

Japanese Baseball Is Fighting Back Against MLB Talent Drain

Nippon Professional Baseball is reimagining how to be a global juggernaut.
Aug 9, 2026; Bedminster, New Jersey, USA; President Donald Trump walks out of the clubhouse during the final round of the LIV Golf New York tournament at Trump National Bedminster.
September 25, 2026

Trump’s Year of Sports Gets Busier With CFB, Presidents Cup

The impact of Trump’s attendance varies across each sporting event.
A Bar of Their Own
September 25, 2026

Women’s Sports Bars: Novelty Has Worn Off, ‘That’s a Good Thing’

They’re leveling up, but sustainability remains the first consideration.
Hot & Social/Mets
September 18, 2026

Sports Teams Are Playing a New Role: Matchmaker

The latest promotion at the stadium? Love.
Exclusive
September 18, 2026

Vicious Infighting Is Jeopardizing the Future of Women’s Baseball

The WPBL’s own CEO admits there’s a “power struggle.”

Napheesa Collier: ‘Haven’t Even Thought About’ Free Agency

Collier signed a one-year, $1.4 million deal with the Lynx in April.
Sep 29, 2026; Indianapolis, Indiana, USA; Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson (22) talks to a referee after she went into the stands to confront a fan during game two of the first round for the 2026 WNBA Playoffs against the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-Imagn Images
October 1, 2026

A’ja Wilson Avoids Further Penalty After Incident With Fever Fan

The Aces and Fever play a do-or-die Game 3 on Thursday night.
Aug 2, 2026; Washington, D.C., USA; Jessica Pegula (USA) reacts after winning the first set against Alexandra Eala (PHI) (not pictured) during the women's singles final of the 2026 Mubadala DC Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center.
October 1, 2026

WTA Announces Equal Pay for All Combined 1000 Events

Three of the seven combined events maintained a pay disparity this year.
Sponsored

Beyond the Scorecard: How Dow Is Putting Purpose at the Center of Women’s Golf

Discover how Dow and the LPGA are building a partnership with lasting impact.
September 30, 2026

Extending WNBA Playoffs Would Cost Owners Up to $1 Million

The No. 1–seeded Lynx exited the playoffs after just two games.
September 30, 2026

Environmentalists Call MLB Grand Teton Idea ‘Shortsighted’

The league received rare pushback about a potential special-event game.
Exclusive
September 30, 2026

WPBL CEO Fires Board Member After $600K Offer to Drop Case

The firing effectively ends Mina Kim’s case.
September 29, 2026

NFL Brazil Game Nabs Record Audience

CBS said that the game averaged 24.9 million viewers.