UNCF Receives $150K from NBA Foundation for San Francisco Scholarship Program

by Marlena Chertock |

At the 2026 NBA HBCU Classic on February 13, 2026, UNCF was a joint recipient of a $5,500,000 check from the NBA Foundation, made out to “LA Based Grant Recipients”. Maurice Jenkins Jr. (right), executive vice president, chief development officer, UNCF, was present to receive the check.
Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images

At the 2026 NBA HBCU Classic on February 13, 2026, featuring Hampton University and North Carolina A&T, UNCF was a joint recipient of a $5,500,000 check from the NBA Foundation, made out to “LA Based Grant Recipients”.

UNCF will receive $150,000 from the grant to establish the NBA San Francisco Scholarship Program for San Francisco students attending historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). Eligible residents of the San Francisco Bay Area can receive up to an amount of $5,000.

North Carolina A&T won the 2026 NBA HBCU Classic on February 13, 2026, defeating Hampton University 71-70 at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA.

Photo by Denis Kennedy/NBAE via Getty Images

Other recipients included Thurgood Marshall College Fund.

This donation aims to amplify the annual aggregated NBA Foundation grants, which invest in programs, partnerships, nonprofits and local and national organizations that promote school-to-career employment opportunities such as job readiness, skill training, job placement and career advancement. These grants focus on serving under-resourced youth ages 14-24.

“We are profoundly grateful to the NBA Foundation for their long-standing support of UNCF and unwavering commitment to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and their students,” said Maurice E. Jenkins Jr., executive vice president and chief development officer, UNCF. “Their financial support not only empowers our institutions but also transforms lives, providing essential resources for educational advancement and career development. Together, we are creating a future where our students can thrive, and we appreciate the NBA Foundation’s vital role in making this vision a reality.”

At the 2026 NBA HBCU Classic on February 13, 2026, UNCF was a joint recipient of a $5,500,000 check from the NBA Foundation, made out to “LA Based Grant Recipients”. Maurice Jenkins Jr. (right), executive vice president, chief development officer, UNCF, was present to receive the check.

Photo by Stephen Gosling/NBAE via Getty Images

“At the heart of our mission is a commitment to economic empowerment and social mobility,” according to the NBA Foundation website page. “These grants fund defined projects that equip young people with the tools, training and opportunities they need to thrive professionally. By addressing employment disparities and expanding access to career pathways, the NBA Foundation is helping young people in NBA team markets build brighter futures.”

North Carolina A&T won the 2026 NBA HBCU Classic, defeating Hampton University 71-70 at the Kia Forum in Inglewood, CA. Congratulations to the Aggies!