WNBPA distributes money raised from league fines as grants to non-profits
The Women’s National Basketball Players Association selected four charities to receive grants funded by fines and suspensions assessed to players during the last two seasons. The following organizations received a $35,000 grant.
- Girls Who Code
- Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund/Greater Houston Community Foundation
- United Nations Foundation’s Shot@Life Campaign
- Southern Poverty Law Center
“The funds distributed today are a result of the fines and suspensions levied by the league during previous seasons and the union’s agreement with the league to make charitable donations with these funds,” explained WNBPA President, Nneka Ogwumike. “Essentially, the agreement allows the WNBPA to turn words into action, and player advocacy into philanthropy.”
“The WNBPA knows that you can’t be what you can’t see,” said Girls Who Code CEO and founder Reshma Saujani, “and that’s why we are thrilled to be partnering with them to show girls that you can be a girl who codes and a basketball player. Their support will help us get more girls access to coding education.”
Per the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement, half of the money collected from fines and suspensions goes to organizations selected by the WNBA and the other half gets distributed to groups chosen by the league with WNBPA approval.
(a) In the event that (i) a fine or suspension is imposed on a player, (ii) such fine or suspension related Compensation amount is collected by the League, and (iii) the fine or
suspension is not grieved pursuant to Article XXII, then the WNBA shall remit fifty percent (50%) of the amount collected to a charitable organization selected by the Players Association that qualifies for treatment under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as now in effect or as it may hereafter be amended (a “Section 501(c)(3) Organization”), and that is approved by the WNBA (which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld) (both hereinafter, the “WNBPA Selected Charitable Organization”). The WNBA shall remit the remaining fifty percent (50%) of the amount collected to a Section 501(c)(3) organization selected by the WNBA and approved by the Players Association, which approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
Girls Who Code
Girls Who Code is a national non-profit organization working to close the gender gap in technology. Through its Summer Immersion Program and Clubs, Girls Who Code is leading the movement to inspire, educate, and equip young women with the computing skills to pursue 21st century opportunities. By the end of year, Girls Who Code will reach 40,000 girls in every US state. Additional information is available at www.girlswhocode.com.
Greater Houston Community Foundation (GHCF) – Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund
Greater Houston Community Foundation (GHCF) is one of Houston’s largest grant makers and provides individuals, families, corporations, foundations, and advisors with the ability to reach beyond what they could have ever imagined to expand philanthropic impact. After receiving an overwhelming number of inquiries from citizens and companies who want to help, Mayor Sylvester Turner and County Judge Ed Emmett have established the Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund that will accept tax deductible flood relief donations for victims that have been affected by the recent floods. The Hurricane Harvey Relief Fund is administered by the Greater Houston Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity.
United Nations Foundation’s Shot@Life campaign
Shot@Life, a campaign of the United Nations Foundation, educates, connects and empowers individuals to champion global vaccines as one of the most effective ways to save the lives of children in developing countries. The campaign rallies the public to advocate and fundraise for global childhood vaccines. Shot@Life believes that by encouraging people to learn about, advocate for, and donate to vaccines, we can decrease the 1.5 million annual vaccine-preventable childhood deaths and give every child a shot at a healthy life. Go to ShotAtLife.org to learn more.
Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC)
The SPLC is dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and to seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our society. Using litigation, education, and other forms of advocacy, the SPLC works toward the day when the ideals of equal justice and equal opportunity will be a reality.
