The Brooklyn Nets & New York Liberty Foundation is a 501(c)(3) private independent foundation based in Brooklyn, New York. Established in 2007, the foundation represents the combined philanthropic efforts of the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty, which merged their separate community initiatives in 2021 to create a unified foundation. The organization is classified as a corporate foundation dedicated to community impact and charitable giving.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$596K
+5469.7% YoY
Annual Giving
$602K
-43.5% YoY
Grant Count
11
-68.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$55K
+79.8% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Brooklyn Nets reported a distributable amount of $15K for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals of all ages by focusing on three primary pillars:
Health & Wellness — Providing opportunities and resources to help community members live their best lives physically and mentally.
Food Insecurity & Homelessness — Addressing hunger and homelessness as ongoing community crises through direct support and partnerships.
Equitable Development — Working to create an equitable society where all individuals can be engaged and succeed.
The foundation also supports programs in education, athletics, and community development. Its grantmaking priorities include human rights, social justice, and arts initiatives.
Grantmaking
The foundation made total grants of $602,028 in 2024. Recent grants include:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation primarily funds organizations in New York, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia, with particular emphasis on serving the five boroughs of New York City.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2024:
- Total Assets: $595,793
- Total Revenue: $1,164,019
- Total Expenses: $752,968
- Total Liabilities: $181,000
- Total Giving: $602,028
The foundation operates with no employees.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $595,793 | $10,697 | $1,033,593 |
| Revenue | $1,164,019 | $154,452 | $333,348 |
| Expenses | $752,968 | $1,154,868 | $788,497 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $602,028 | $1,065,355 | $664,543 |
| Net Investment Income | — | — | — |
| Distributable Amount | $14,770 | $25,464 | $69,815 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
76 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Smithsonian Institution ($200,000), Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison Inc ($100,000), The Roots Fund Incorporated ($100,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| CHABAD OF PROSPECT HEIGHTS BROOKLYN, NY | DONATION TO THE TEMPLE | $3,600 |
| SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION WASHINGTON, DC | DONATION TO SUPPOR THE NMAAHC MISSION | $200,000 |
| CHABAD OF PARK SLOPE BROOKLYN, NY | DONATION TO THEIR LARGEST MENORAH PROJECT 2023 | $3,600 |
| HUDSON LINK FOR HIGHER EDUCATION IN PRISON INC RYE, NY | DONATION TO SUPPORT THEIR PROGRAMMING | $100,000 |
| THE ROOTS FUND INCORPORATED STAMFORD, CT | DONATION TO SUPPORT THEIR ANNUAL DINNER | $100,000 |
| THE CELLUS FOUNDATION SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ | DONATION TO THEIR BALL SSTARS YOUTH PROGRAM | $50,000 |
| LEVY- THANKSGIVING DINNERS BROOKLYN, NY | DONATION TO FUND THANKSGIVING MEALS FOR THE LESS FORTUNATE | $97,367 |
| COALITION FOR THE HOMELESS NYC NEW YORK, NY | FINAL DONATION FOR ESSENTIAL TOGETHER | $11,866 |
| THE CAMPAIGN AGAINST HUNGER BROOKLYN, NY | FINAL DONATION FOR ESSENTIAL TOGETHER | $11,865 |
| NEW YORK CARES NEW YORK, NY | FINAL DONATION FOR ESSENTIAL TOGETHER | $11,865 |
Leadership & Key People
Officers and directors from IRS filings
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAM ZUSSMAN | PRESIDENT | — | — |
| JEFFREY GEWIRTZ | SECRETARY | 1 | — |
| DAAKEIA CLARKE | VICE PRESIDENT | — | — |
| PETER STERN | TREASURER | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
The foundation has been active in supporting social justice initiatives. News coverage indicates partnerships with the Social Justice Fund and involvement in supporting Black leaders and community organizations through grant programs. The foundation actively accepts donations and maintains community engagement through its website and social media presence.
The Social Justice Fund\u2019s new partnership shines in Brooklyn | NetsDailySubject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does The Brooklyn Nets fund?
The foundation is dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals of all ages by focusing on three primary pillars: **Health & Wellness** — Providing opportunities and resources to help community members live their best lives physically and mentally. **Food Insecurity & Homelessness** — Addressing hunger and homelessness as ongoing community crises through direct support and partnerships. **Equitable Development** — Working to create an equitable society where all individuals can be …
How do I apply for a grant from The Brooklyn Nets?
The foundation made total grants of $602,028 in 2024. Recent grants include: • $200,000 to the Smithsonian Institution to support the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) mission • $100,000 to The Roots Fund to support their annual dinner • $100,000 to Hudson Link for Higher Education in Prison to support their programming Grant amounts typically range from $3,600 to $200,000. The foundation currently partners with nonprofit organizations across the five boroughs of …
Where does The Brooklyn Nets make grants?
The foundation primarily funds organizations in New York, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia, with particular emphasis on serving the five boroughs of New York City.
What size grants does The Brooklyn Nets award?
In 2024, The Brooklyn Nets awarded 11 grants totaling $602K — an average of about $55K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is The Brooklyn Nets required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, The Brooklyn Nets reported a distributable amount of $15K on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is The Brooklyn Nets's EIN?
The Brooklyn Nets's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-5370246. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in The Brooklyn Nets's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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