Grizzlies Give $1 Million Grant to Boys and Girls Clubs
Memphis, Tennessee, October 22, 2004 — The Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation presented a $1 million grant to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis’ "Reflect on Their Future" campaign during the team’s annual Tip-Off Luncheon at FedExForum on Friday. The Grizzlies organization also committed to serve as honorary chairs of the campaign and support the clubs’ efforts to expand their outreach to 20,000 Memphis youth.
The Boys & Girls Clubs "Reflect on Their Future" campaign will raise funds for the clubs in order to expand programs, add a new club location, fund renovations of the five existing clubs and add critical support to the endowment and services for youth. With the expansion, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis can provide additional mentoring, vocational and technical training and career development, while providing a safe haven for youth and their families.
"The Memphis Grizzlies have once again demonstrated their commitment to the Mid-South community," said Boys & Girls Club Campaign Chair Larry Jensen. "This gift will enable Boys & Girls Clubs to strengthen our existing mentoring programs and develop new strategies in order to serve more kids. We are very pleased with the partnership with the entire Grizzlies organization."
The Memphis Grizzlies and President of Basketball Operations Jerry West will provide ongoing support and promotion of the campaign during the 2004-05 season. As honorary chairs of the "Reflect on Their Future" campaign, the Grizzlies have issued a challenge to the Boys & Girls Clubs to develop mentoring programs at each of the clubs and engage at least 100 mentor volunteers during the next year.
"We encourage our fans to support the clubs and be part of this community-wide effort to expand outreach programs to at-risk youth," said Grizzlies President of Basketball Operations Jerry West. "We are committed to this effort, and by partnering with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, we can extend these services and educational opportunities to thousands more young people."
The Grizzlies issued a challenge to the Memphis community to join in the support of the Boys & Girls Clubs. Support may come through monetary donations or through volunteering and mentoring.
The Memphis Grizzlies have supported the Boys & Girls Clubs since the team’s inaugural season in Memphis through inclusion in the Tickets for Kids program, support for annual fundraising events, Grizzlies’ management serving on Boys & Girls Clubs’ boards and frequent appearances at the facilities by Grizzlies’ coaches and players. The Grizzlies have also donated all proceeds from the Tip-Off Luncheons to the Boys & Girls Clubs since 2001, the team’s first year in Memphis.
The Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Foundation was established to make a profound, long lasting impact on the community and help organizations to fulfill their missions. The Grizzlies Foundation will promote its family of partnerships, community outreach and resources to add value to each monetary contribution. The Foundation will work to foster collaboration among organizations and outreach services in order to create more effective delivery of opportunities for the community’s at-risk youth.
The Memphis Grizzlies organization is among the most philanthropic in professional sports. Since December 2001, they have contributed over $15.5 million to local nonprofit organizations through the Memphis Grizzlies Charitable Fund and Foundation. Current grant partners include Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis, BRIDGES, Inc., Memphis Athletic Ministries, Soulsville, Inc., Youth Villages, Urban Youth Initiative and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.