NBA star and New Orleans Pelicans guard, Jrue Holiday, and his wife Lauren holiday, generously pledged the remainder of Jrue’s 2020 NBA salary (~$5 Millions) as a progressive step toward combating systemic racism as well as social and economic inequality that continues to prevent Black communities from upward mobility.
Jrue and Lauren Holiday will support local Black-led non-profit organizations, city-wide initiatives that seek to bring about equitable outcomes for Black and Brown communities, and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) of higher education in New Orleans, the Los Angeles area, and Indianapolis.
Additionally, across over 10 U.S. cities, a portion of the funds will go to local Black-owned small businesses that have been devastated by the impact of COVID-19 but are now known to have received less than 2% of the Paycheck Protection Program loans provided.
Distribution of Funds based on Locality
Jrue’s remaining Salary will be around up to $5M,and it will distributed to Three Cities and HBCU.
- $1.5M will be dedicated to non-profit organizations in New Orleans.
- $1M to non-profits in Indianapolis.
- $1.5M to non-profits in L.A. and Compton
- $1M will be awarded to Black-owned small business owners
- $500,000 to the HBCUs of higher education
Holiday Couple chose to focus the majority of their support on the three cities they have personal connections —Los Angeles, Jrue’s native hometown area and both his and Lauren’s UCLA college town; Indianapolis, Lauren’s hometown; and New Orleans, the city of the Pelicans, the NBA team he currently plays for and the place they now call home.
Who can apply for Funding?
Funding Application Criteria:
- Local Black-owned small businesses (with a max of 250 employees)
- Local Black-led, tax-exempt nonprofit organizations
- National organizations fighting social injustice
Eligible Local Cities:
- New Orleans, the Los Angeles Area and Indianapolis
- For small business applicants only, cities also include: Ferguson, Philadelphia, NYC (specifically Harlem, Brooklyn and Bronx boroughs), Baltimore, and Jackson, MS.
First Deadline for Application Submissions: August 1
Eligible organizations can apply for funding by clicking here
