NBA legend Michael Jordan has made a major contribution to the University of North Carolina, donating $10 million to the university’s School of Social Work in honor of his mother, Deloris Jordan. The historic gift will support scholarships for social work students and strengthen programs designed to help children, families and communities.
The Michael Jordan $10 million donation to UNC marks another significant chapter in the basketball icon’s long-standing relationship with the university. Widely celebrated for his achievements with the Chicago Bulls, Jordan has also used his success to support causes beyond professional basketball.
The donation is the largest in the history of UNC’s School of Social Work. It will establish the Jordan Family Scholars program, creating new opportunities for students preparing to work in social services and community development.
For Jordan, however, the contribution carries a meaning that goes beyond the financial commitment. It reflects the values he says his mother has demonstrated throughout her life: helping children, supporting families and improving communities.
“My mother has always believed in the power of helping children, families and communities, and she has spent her life putting that belief into action,” Jordan said in a statement.
The gift highlights how the six-time NBA champion continues to connect his personal experiences with initiatives intended to make a lasting difference in people’s lives.
Michael Jordan’s $10 million donation will fund scholarships
The centerpiece of Jordan’s contribution is the new Jordan Family Scholars program, which will provide financial assistance to students pursuing a Master of Social Work degree at UNC.
Ten students will receive scholarships worth $12,500 each as the program’s first recipients. The funding is intended to help students pursue professional training for careers that often involve working with vulnerable children, families and underserved communities.
Social work professionals play an important role in addressing challenges such as child welfare, mental health, family support, housing insecurity and access to essential services. However, the cost of higher education can become a barrier for students who want to enter the profession.
Scholarships can reduce some of that financial pressure, allowing students to concentrate on their education and practical training.
Jordan’s donation places the university in a stronger position to support aspiring social workers while recognizing the importance of community-focused careers.
In his statement, Jordan also emphasized his connection to North Carolina, describing it as a place that will always feel like home.
“North Carolina will always be home,” he said, expressing hope that the contribution would help more students pursue work that supports families and communities.
The announcement is notable because it directs a major philanthropic investment toward social work education rather than a traditional sports-related project. While Jordan’s name is closely associated with basketball, his latest contribution focuses on people preparing to make a difference outside the sporting arena.
Why Deloris Jordan inspired the historic contribution
Jordan’s decision to make the donation in honor of his mother gives the announcement a personal dimension.
Deloris Jordan has long been an important influence in the former Chicago Bulls superstar’s life. By dedicating the gift to her, Jordan has connected the university’s new scholarship initiative with a family commitment to helping others.
The emphasis on children, families and communities also fits the broader mission of social work education. Students entering the profession often work directly with people facing difficult circumstances, helping them access resources, navigate challenges and build more stable lives.
Rather than focusing solely on immediate financial assistance, investments in education can help prepare professionals who will serve communities over many years.
That longer-term impact is an important part of the donation’s significance. The scholarships will support individual students, while the wider initiative strengthens UNC’s ability to prepare future social workers.
Jordan’s remarks suggest that he views the contribution as a way to extend his mother’s values through a new generation of professionals.
The gesture also reinforces the idea that philanthropy can be about more than making a large financial commitment. It can reflect the personal experiences and beliefs that motivate someone to give back.
Michael Jordan’s UNC connection dates back to his college days
Jordan’s relationship with the University of North Carolina began long before he became one of the most recognizable athletes in the world.
He played college basketball for the North Carolina Tar Heels from 1981 to 1984 under legendary coach Dean Smith. During his freshman season, Jordan delivered one of the defining moments of his early career by hitting the game-winning jump shot against Georgetown in the 1982 NCAA championship game.
The shot helped UNC secure the national title and introduced Jordan to a wider basketball audience. He later returned to complete his degree, earning a Bachelor of Arts in geography in 1986.
His latest contribution demonstrates that the connection has continued long after his playing days ended.
Jordan and his family established the Jordan Institute for Families in 1996, an initiative dedicated to strengthening family well-being through research, education and community partnerships.
The new $10 million commitment will expand the institute’s work and support the Global Social Development Innovations Center, which will be renamed the Deloris P. Jordan Global Social Development Innovations Center in recognition of his mother.
The changes will give Deloris Jordan a lasting place within the university’s social work mission, while helping the institution expand its efforts to improve the lives of children and families.
The contribution also reflects the broader influence of the Jordan family at UNC. Their involvement has extended beyond athletics, supporting programs that address social challenges and promote stronger communities.
Jordan’s philanthropy extends beyond the basketball court
Jordan’s latest gift is part of a wider history of charitable contributions, particularly in North Carolina.
In 2017, he donated $7 million to Novant Health to help establish two medical clinics in Charlotte. The facilities were designed to improve access to affordable health care for underserved communities, including families who face difficulties obtaining routine medical services.
The initiative focused on making essential care more accessible, with services addressing primary health care and other needs that can affect a family’s overall well-being.
Jordan later expanded his support for community health care through a $10 million contribution to Novant Health foundations in 2021, helping establish two additional clinics in the Wilmington area.
These initiatives show a recurring theme in his philanthropy: supporting practical services that can make a difference in people’s daily lives.
His UNC donation follows a similar approach, although its focus is education and the development of a skilled social work workforce.
The distinction matters. Medical clinics provide direct access to health services, while social work programs help prepare professionals to address a broad range of challenges affecting individuals and families. Both can contribute to stronger communities when supported by sustained investment.
For Jordan, the new commitment also provides an opportunity to recognize his mother’s influence while supporting an institution that played a major role in shaping his own life.
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