The NBPA Foundation, USADF and NBPA members – including Bismack Biyombo, Gorgui Dieng and Serge Ibaka – to provide grants for African community-led development initiatives and enterprises

NEW YORK, NY, November 12, 2020 - The National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) Foundation and the United States African Development Foundation (USADF) announced today a five-year strategic partnership to jointly fund development projects supported by NBPA members interested in and committed to development in Africa and creating long-term, self-sustaining change, spearheaded by African leaders.

As part of the collaboration, and at the direction of NBPA members, USADF and the NBPA Foundation will provide capital for African enterprises and community-led initiatives using a 3x grant multiplier structure. Through this structure, selected awardees will receive grants of up to $25,000 from USADF, $25,000 from an NBPA member, and $25,000 from the NBPA Foundation, for a total combined possible investment of $75,000. These grants will bridge engagement with various African diaspora communities and accelerate the collaborative, philanthropic work NBPA members do worldwide to build their communities and create meaningful change. Additionally, USADF’s network of local implementing partner organizations will provide technical assistance to help ensure the success of the projects on the ground.

NBPA members Bismack Biyombo, Gorgui Dieng and Serge Ibaka will comprise the first group of players to launch the new program. Their contributions and the matching contributions from USADF and the NBPA Foundation will be directed to African-led initiatives in the following ways:

1. Bismack Biyombo: after-school youth and skills development programming in the Democratic Republic of the Congo 
2. Gorgui Dieng: food security, sustainable farming training, and youth basketball programming in Senegal
3. Serge Ibaka: food security, pediatric and mental health infrastructure, and youth basketball programming in the Republic of the Congo.

“We are so excited that USADF is acknowledging the long and sustained work of our players on the continent,” said Sherrie Deans, Executive Director of the NBPA Foundation. “We look forward to working with them to deepen our investments and impact for a long time to come.”

According to USADF President and CEO C.D. Glin, “USADF is committed to this partnership because we, alongside the NBPA Foundation, believe we can better engage members of the African diaspora to do more together to change the model of investing and development in Africa by utilizing local knowledge, capacity and relationships that are unique to the diaspora community.”

“Our connection to the Continent runs deep, and we are committed to investing in the forward movement of our countries,” said Serge Ibaka, a board member of the NBPA Foundation. “This partnership between the NBPA Foundation and USADF will help players maximize their impact while also supporting African-led organizations that are driving positive change."

All media inquiries should be directed to communications@nbpa.com.

About the National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) Foundation:

Established in 1997, the National Basketball Players Association Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of its members and providing support and assistance to persons, communities and organizations throughout the world that seek to improve the lives of those in need. Through grants that match players’ philanthropy and charitable giving, the Foundation highlights and accelerates the real and collaborative work that basketball players do worldwide to build their communities and create meaningful change.

About the United States African Development Foundation (USADF):

The United States African Development Foundation (USADF) is an independent U.S. Government agency established by Congress to support African-owned community and social enterprises which improve lives and livelihoods in underserved communities. Utilizing a community-led development approach, USADF invests directly to provide seed capital and local project management assistance to early-stage enterprises addressing local challenges such as food insecurity, insufficient energy access, and unemployment, with a focus on women and youth entrepreneurship. To learn more, please visit: https://www.usadf.gov/

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