Deloris Jordan

SOURCE OF WEALTH: NA

FUNDING AREAS: Education & Youth

OVERVIEW: Deloris Jordan conducts philanthropy through the through the James R. Jordan Foundation which works to empower youth and bears the name of her late husband. The foundation, however, does not currently offer funding opportunities; its fundraising efforts go toward supporting its programs in its partner schools and their surrounding communities.

BACKGROUND: Deloris Jordan is the mother of basketball legend Michael Jordan. She once worked as a bank teller, and is now an inspirational author and speaker.

ISSUES:

EDUCATION & YOUTH: With a $2 million contribution, Michael Jordan helped create the James R. Jordan Boys & Girls Club, which bears the name of his late father. Deloris Jordan became involved with the club and started to realize the myriad issues facing youth in the community. On the heels of this, she founded the James R. Jordan Foundation, which “provides a pathway out of poverty by empowering youth to achieve their full potential and by leveling the playing field so they can become successful human beings and productive contributors to society.”

The foundation runs programs including Vision for Families (VFF), a “once-a-month gathering in which parents and students are encouraged to build relationships, create their own home libraries, and nurture a love of reading” and its S.T.E.A.M. program, which aims to level the playing field for children of color and encourage them to participate in S.T.E.A.M. careers and social entrepreneurship. 

Jordan also helps steer James R. Jordan Foundation International (JRJFI), which is committed to building capacity in developing communities worldwide. The forces here are personal, as Jordan visited Kenya in 1993 and led led a group of American students on an educational excursion to the Maasai Mara. The foundation’s inaugural project is the Kenya Women & Children's Wellness Centre, whose mission is to expand health care services in Kenya.

LOOKING FORWARD: Perhaps the foundation will be involved in more grantmaking in the coming years. Deloris’ work abroad through the international arm of the foundation should be watched carefully as well.

CONTACT:

James R. Jordan Foundation
PO Box 11698
Chicago, IL 60611