The Jordan Brand Community Grant Program, part of the 10-year, $100 million Black Community Commitment initiative in partnership with Michael Jordan, has launched its fifth round of funding. This grant program supports grassroots nonprofit organizations throughout the United States that align with one or more of the program’s key focus areas: Economic Justice, Education, Narrative Change, and Social Justice. The goal of this initiative is to drive systemic change and promote equity in Black communities by funding organizations actively engaged in these mission areas.

Eligible applicants must be nonprofit organizations with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status that have been established since 2023 or earlier. They must also have an annual operating budget between $100,000 and $3 million. Organizations with fiscal sponsors are eligible to apply but must provide governance materials, a list of directors and their affiliations, two years of audited financials, a Form 990, and a signed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between their organization and the fiscal sponsor.

The program prioritizes four key focus areas. Economic Justice initiatives aim to expand pathways to generational wealth for Black individuals through financial literacy and career development. The Education category focuses on increasing the number of Black educators, supporting teachers in underserved communities, and expanding access to higher education. Narrative Change efforts seek to increase awareness of the role race has played in history and its impact today. Lastly, Social Justice initiatives invest in policy reform and voter engagement to strengthen Black communities' political and social influence.

The application portal opens on January 15, 2025, and closes on February 16, 2025, at 11:59 PM PST. Applications must be submitted through the designated online platform; submissions via PDF or other formats will not be accepted. A downloadable PDF of all application questions is available for applicants to review before submission.

The evaluation process considers alignment with the Black Community Commitment’s mission, financial stability, and demonstrated impact in at least one of the focus areas. Selected organizations will receive funding to implement or expand programs that directly support Black communities. In the latest funding cycle, $2.3 million was awarded to 48 grassroots organizations, suggesting a competitive selection process.

For questions regarding the application or the Black Community Commitment program, applicants can contact Kayla@Cafamerica.org. Applicants are advised to allow up to two working days for a response to inquiries.