The 8 Most Expensive Philanthropic Ventures Of NBA Star LeBron James

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Hailing from Akron, Ohio, Lebron James was a basketball prodigy since elementary school where his talent was first recognized. Growing up in the inner-city, he experienced street violence, poverty, and the struggles of growing up in a single-parent household. With the mission to change his life, James began to pursue a career in basketball and he was the first pick in overall selection when the Cleveland Cavaliers selected him in 2003. He signed a $90 million Nike deal before he had set foot at any NBA Game. Through various contracts and endorsements, he has amassed a $500 million fortune, and the athlete ensures that more than 10% of his wealth is given to help social communities.

Through the Lebron James Foundation, the NBA star has made donations worth more than $100 million altogether. He has helped organizations with different purposes to support basic amenities, education, and quality housing. From opening his school to granting scholarships.

Granting Four-Year Scholarships With The University Of Akron

Coming from a community where students don’t think past high school, Lebron knows the value of offering money to children who need it. According to Forbes, in 2015, the athlete tied up with the University of Akron to fund scholarships for students who will complete the academic program offered by his foundation. His foundation is actively sponsoring 800 students and the first class who benefited from the scholarship graduated in 2021.

After-School All-Stars

The Lebron James Foundation brought the After-School All-Stars program to his hometown to help raise money for children in the fields of education and play. In Akron, the program has been developed to help at-risk children and offer them mentorship and guidance to set a career path. His foundation has raised over a whopping $40 million over the years as they try to discourage children from dropping out of school.

ONExONE

Every child needs five important pillars to enjoy life: Health, Education, Hunger, Water, and Play. ONExONE is an organization that supports children by providing healthy breakfast foods, educational help, medical assistance, and mentorship to struggling schools, as reported by Money INC. Never forgetting his humble beginnings, James has raised over $1 million through his donations for the program.

The I Promise School

One of his most ambitious projects to date, the player announced in 2018 that he was building the I Promise School in Akron to improve the educational institutions of his hometown. As mentioned by the New York Times, James and his foundation donated $20 million to create three residential buildings with a sports complex. He also pledged to contribute $1 million per year to manage teacher salaries and the class sizes.

Feeding 1,300 Families With The Foundation

The 2020 pandemic was a difficult time for everyone and some people struggled more than others to meet ends. Lebron stepped up to help the residents of his hometown who found it difficult to get customers during the pandemic. The NBA star provided meals to 340 students at his I Promise School and their families which was enough food for 1,300 people. His organization also started a program called Taco Tuesday where they fed the students tacos and provided business to a family business that resided in Akron.

Boys And Girls Club Of America

The Decision, a television special that aired in 2010, James took the route of a televised show to announce that he had signed with the Miami Heat at the NBA. The special received a viewership of 10 million people and the sponsors and commercials raised $2 million. James aired the interview to raise the money and donate it to various centers of the Boys & Girls Club of America, a community that educates and mentors young people. Two million members in the community consist of the African American community and 61% qualify for free lunches.

Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture

An admirer of legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, Lebron James has always looked up to him and his values, passion, and morals towards the game. When the Smithsonian Institution announced that it would be adding a new exhibit titled Muhammad Ali: A Force Of Change in 2016, James knew he had to contribute. Along with NBA players like Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson who donated $5 million and $1 million respectively, James donated $2.5 million through his organization for the exhibit, as reported by USA Today

House Three Thirty

A supporter of his hometown of Akron, the athlete announced that he was creating a community center to offer better services to its people. With the Lebron James Foundation, he bought a 6,000 sq. ft. venue in 2020 and named it House Three Thirty, after Akron’s area code. The place will offer various amenities like a coffee bar, private card room, dining space which will be available to any person from the Akron community.

A man with a heart of gold, Lebron James has used his power as a global influential figure to create change in his community to help at-risk children and fund college education to help them set goals for life. One of his most ambitious projects, the I Promise School will be operational from 2022.

Sources: Forbes, Money INC, New York Times, USA Today