NBA Cares is the league's social responsibility initiative that builds on the NBA's long tradition of addressing important social issues in the United States and around the world. Through this umbrella program, the NBA, its teams and players have committed to donating $100 million to charity, providing a million hours of hands on service to the community and creating 250 places where kids and families can live, learn or play.

The NBA understands that the popularity and visibility of our teams, players and league obligate us to demonstrate leadership in social responsibility. In order to be a leader in the area of social responsibility, the league uses its unique position to bring attention to important social issues on a global scale, constantly looking for creative ways to actively improve the quality of life in all communities.

NBA Cares works with internationally-recognized youth-serving programs that are geared toward these key social issues:

1. Education
2. Youth and Family Development
3. Health-Related Causes

Education

Read to Achieve
As part of the NBA’s global community outreach initiative NBA Cares, the league's Read to Achieve program aims to combat global illiteracy and encourage young people to develop a life-long love of reading.

The NBA Family wants kids to love to read and wants adults to love to read to kids. As a team, we participate in read-alouds and other shared reading and on-line activities at schools, community-based organizations, at our Reading and Learning Centers or Reading Corners, in arenas, and wherever else it is possible to read.

Youth and Family Development

Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA
Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA encourages youth basketball participation through programs that stress basketball fundamentals and the value of sportsmanship and teamwork for players, parents, coaches and officials.

The Jr. NBA/Jr. WNBA launched its inaugural Skills Challenge on December 1 in Orlando, Florida. The Challenge will consist of three rounds of competitions with the scores being ranked nationally and the top 24 contestants will advance to the National Finals back in Orlando in May 2008.

Jr. NBA / Jr. WNBA Mission
Find a League!

Health-Related Causes

HIV/AIDS
The NBA began its support of AIDS research and education in 1991, after one of its most recognizable athletes, Magic Johnson, announced he was HIV positive. Since then, the NBA and its players have been active in the global fight against AIDS in a variety of ways, including player Public Service Announcements, leadership in the Global Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, grassroots events around the world, and through extensive charitable donations.

NBA Cares has partnered with the United Nations Foundation on their new initiative, Nothing But Nets, a grassroots campaign asking individuals to donate $10 to "send a net, save a life." Each $10 donation pays for an insectiside-treated bed net, distributes it to a family in need in Africa, and provides education on proper use to prevent malaria. Please visit nothingbutnets.net to find out how you can send a net to save a life!