Charles Barkley Made a Big Commitment to Diversity in Higher Ed. What Drives His Giving?

Charles Barkley was a menace on the basketball court. Standing at only 6 feet, 6 inches, he’s one of the best rebounders of all time, outworking and out-hustling bigger players. This earned him one of his many nicknames, “The Round Mound of Rebounds.” He was also a bonafide scorer and would likely have at least one NBA championship if not for the unstoppable reign of one Michael Jeffrey Jordan. Barkley never disappeared from the spotlight, either. The 60-year-old has been a sports analyst with TNT for nearly 25 years, and one of the core personalities of the long-running “Inside the NBA.”

For all his efforts, Barkley is worth about $60 million, according some estimates, and engages in philanthropy through the Charles Barkley Foundation, a low-profile charity he started back in 1995. Barkley has also been quite vocal about his interests over the years. And while at times he has expressed conservative leanings, he’s also called both Democrats and Republicans “full of crap.” Top philanthropic interests include education and supporting veterans, and he recently made a $5 million pledge to his alma mater Auburn University in Alabama, a response, in part, to the Supreme Court decision striking down affirmative action. Another twist from Sir Charles.

What more do we know about Barkley’s latest gift? And what is the NBA legend into overall with his philanthropy? Here’s a quick rundown.

Education and HBCUs are a top priority

Born in Alabama in 1963, Barkley was a star basketball player in the early 1980s at Auburn University. From there, he was drafted into the NBA, where he was an All-Star for the Philadelphia 76ers and the Phoenix Suns. Later in his career, he played for the Houston Rockets. Barkley has steadily supported Auburn University through his foundation, including giving a $200,000 gift to Auburn University Foundation in 2021. Back in 2015, he pledged $1 million to his alma mater. His latest $5 million pledge, meanwhile, has been earmarked through his will.

“I love Auburn. I’ve actually changed it to be used for kids from poor homes. But after that ruling yesterday, my phone was blowing up. I was talking to my friends and said, ‘I need to make sure Black folks always have a place at Auburn. So, I’m gonna change my will and make it exclusive for Black students — all $5 million.’ It’s just, for me, the right thing to do. I always want to make sure that Auburn’s diverse,” Barkley said.

Alabama’s Black population is nearly 27%, and yet Black students make up only 3% of Auburn’s student body.

In the wake of the Supreme Court decision on affirmative action, a range of columns have sounded off on how Black Americans might respond, including turning to HBCUs and finding ways to tell your diverse story through admissions essays. But the landmark decision might also have a ripple effect for philanthropy, particularly among Black donors. Barkley has supported HBCUs through the years, including Tuskegee University, Morehouse College, Spelman College and Clark Atlanta University. TNT Studios in Atlanta is close to some of these HBCUs. In 2015, Barkley gave $1 million to the Morehouse College sports journalism program.

Veterans and other interests, too

In 2012, Barkley visited the Center for the Intrepid, the military's state-of-the-art physical rehabilitation center by the San Antonio Military Medical Center. He talked sports and hoops with wounded warriors, who have become a philanthropic passion of his through the years — he has contributed both his funds and his time to the cause.

"I appreciate and respect what these guys do," he said at the time. "And I'm happy to take time out of my day to come here."

Barkley also befriended Iraq War veteran Chad Pfeifer, as they’ve crossed paths at celebrity golf tournaments, including one in Lake Tahoe in 2015. Pfeifer was deployed to Iraq in 2006 and lost his left leg when his armored Humvee hit an IED outside of Baghdad; he was awarded the Purple Heart. After hearing Pfeifer’s story, Barkley made a $1 million gift to the Wounded Warrior Project. Through the Charles Barkley Foundation, he has steadily supported Wounded Warrior Project, which received another $200,000 in the 2021 fiscal year.

Barkley has also given modest support to Advocates Pro Tour, which aims to develop African Americans and other minorities for careers in golf. Another figure who has shown interest in this area is NBA superstar Stephen Curry, who gave a seven-figure donation in 2019 to Howard University, to launch the first-ever men’s and women’s Division-I golf program in its 152-year history.

Looking ahead

While the current generation of NBA superstars make a lot more than what was possible on average during Barkley’s era, Barkley himself made the seamless transition to broadcasting. Barkley recently agreed to a 10-year deal with TNT that is expected to reach well into nine figures, per The New York Post. With even more wealth on the way, at only 60, this makes Barkley an important figure to watch going forward. And while his current giving is important to track, more bequests from him are also something to look for as well.

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