San Francisco 49ers Donate $1 Million To Bay Area Groups That Address Social Inequities

(Photo Credit: Dustin Bradford / @gettysport)

As a team, the San Francisco 49ers have decided to follow the lead of QB Colin Kaepernick by putting their money back into the community. 

Last week Colin Kaepernick pledged to donate one million dollars of his football earnings to various community organizations. “I’ve been very blessed to be in this position and to be able to make the kind of money I do,” Kaepernick said when announcing his donation. “And I have to help these people. I have to help these communities. It’s not right that they’re not put in a position to succeed or given those opportunities to succeed.” 

Then upon finding out his jersey is the #1 selling jersey in the NFL, Kaepernick pledged to donate his portion of the jersey sales as well. 

On Thursday, Kaepernick and his 52 other team mates held a meeting to discuss  Kaep’s protest and what they can do to help. Though everyone may not have agreed with Kaep sitting during the National Anthem, they understood the message. For that reason, the entire Niners squad has collectively decided to donate $1 million to a two Bay Area groups that address various social inequities.  Those two groups are the Silicon Valley Community Foundation and the San Francisco Foundation.

The Silicon Valley Community Foundation is a comprehensive center of philanthropy. With visionary leadership, strategic grantmaking and world-class expertise, they partner with donors to strengthen the common good locally and throughout the world. SVCF plays an exciting role in addressing the social, economic, and environmental challenges of our communities. They provides leadership, expertise and capital to help address social issues in the Bay Area. They also serve as a resource for nonprofit, civic, government and philanthropic organizations. They work with groups that specialize in collaboration, diversity, inclusiveness, public accountability, integrity and more. 

The San Francisco Foundation is committed to building a better Bay Area. They were founded in 1948 and are one of the nation’s largest community foundations in grantmaking and assets. TSFF gives millions of dollars a year to make the Bay Area the best place it can be. They strive to ensure that everyone has a chance to get a good job, live in a safe and affordable home, has a strong political voice, and can live in a community that provides real access to opportunity. 

This is a pretty awesome thing for the Niners to do. Give back to the community that gives to you!