USA Basketball Foundation

The USA Basketball Foundation is a nonprofit organization that harnesses the influence and reach of USA Basketball to advance society through a commitment to communities, players, families, coaches, and fans.

Mission and Programs

The foundation's mission is to improve the well-being of youth, women, and minorities both physically and mentally through various programs. These include camps, clinics, and open gyms, as well as mentoring and scholarship opportunities for young women interested in a sports career.

Torch Leadership in Sport Mentoring Program

A key initiative is the Torch Leadership in Sport Mentoring Program, which annually selects ambitious students from Historically Black Colleges or Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander-serving institutions (AANAPISIs). This program focuses on career development and mentorship in sports administration, providing fellows with one-on-one mentoring from senior staff and opportunities to engage with executive leaders at USA Basketball. The program is fully funded, and fellows can earn university course credit where applicable.

Torch Conference

The foundation also hosts the Torch Conference, an event that explores leadership roles in college athletics and professional sports. This conference serves as a platform for networking and career exploration for BIPOC students and young professionals, with proceeds supporting the Torch Leadership in Sport Mentoring Program.

Fundraising and Impact

The USA Basketball Foundation conducts year-end fundraising campaigns, leveraging strong themes and storytelling to enhance its donor base. Recent efforts have resulted in significant increases in new donors and funds raised, aligning with its global influence to support various initiatives, including monetary support for major basketball events like the women's final four.

Organizational Overview

The foundation operates as part of the broader USA Basketball organization, in alignment with its philanthropic goals and initiatives. Despite limited staffing constraints, it partners with external organizations to enhance its capacity and reach in fundraising and program execution.