Jalen and Molly Qerim Rose

SOURCE OF WEALTH: NBA Player and Analyst

FUNDING AREAS: Education & Youth, Health

OVERVIEW: Jalen Rose launched the Jalen Rose Foundation/Charitable Fund to create life-changing opportunities for underserved youth through the development of unique programs and the distribution of grants to qualified nonprofit organizations. Since the foundation’s inception, Rose has personally distributed more than $1.3 million in charitable donations. 

BACKGROUND: Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Jalen Rose attended the University of Michigan, where he was part of the legendary “Fab Five” alongside such other NBA talents like Chris Webber. In 1994, he was drafted in the first round by the Denver Nuggets. As an Indiana Pacer, his team appeared in three straight eastern conference finals including a trip to the NBA Finals in 2000 with Reggie Miller. Since retiring, he’s remained a strong part of the NBA community, working as an analyst for ABC/ESPN.

Born in New Haven, Molly Qerim Rose  graduated from the University of Connecticut with a communications degree. She was an anchor and reporter for CBS Sports. She currently hosts ESPN’s First Take.

ISSUES:

JALEN ROSE FOUNDATION: Established in 2000, the Jalen Rose Foundation/Charitable Fund aims to “create life-changing opportunities for underserved youth through the development of unique programs and the distribution of grants to qualified nonprofit organizations.” Grantmaking focuses in on education and sports, in Rose’s native Detroit as well as other communities in need.

Education grants largely center on large institutions with which Rose is affiliated or with college readiness issues. Rose made a gift to his alma mater University of Michigan, creating the Jalen Rose Endowed Scholarship for first year students. In the past, the foundation also awarded annual college scholarships to Detroit high school seniors pursuing a college education. Rose also launched the Jalen Rose Leadership Academy (JRLA), an open enrollment, tuition-free public charter high school on the northwest side of Detroit. JRLA began its first academic year in 2011 and currently serves over 400 ninth through twelfth grade scholars in Detroit. 

HEALTH: Rose’s wife Molly Querim is involved with the The Endometriosis Foundation of America, and suffers from the disorder.

LOOKING FORWARD: This sports power couple should be watched for greater giving down the line. The personal forces behind Molly’s work in health

LINK: Jalen Rose Website