Key Takeaways
- Michael Jordan gave $10 million to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work, the largest single gift in the school's history.
- The gift, announced October 5, 2026, honors his mother, Deloris P. Jordan, who has been involved with the school for nearly 40 years.
- The money will expand two research centers and fund Master of Social Work scholarships, including 10 Jordan Family Scholars at $12,500 each.
- Jordan's $10 million equals about 61 percent of the contributions the UNC-Chapel Hill Foundation reported for the fiscal year ending June 2025.
Michael Jordan gave $10 million to the UNC School of Social Work on October 5, 2026, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill announced, in a gift made in honor of his mother, Deloris P. Jordan, and the largest single gift in the school's history.
The Gift and Why Michael Jordan Made It
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work announced the $10 million gift at a campus event on October 5, 2026. Michael Jordan, who graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill in 1986, directed the gift to honor his mother, Deloris P. Jordan, who has been involved with the school for nearly 40 years. Remarks at the event were given by Dean Ramona Denby-Brinson, Chancellor Lee Roberts and Deloris P. Jordan. In a statement, Michael Jordan tied the gift to his mother's lifelong work. "My mother has always believed in the power of helping children, families and communities, and she has spent her life putting that belief into action," Michael Jordan said.
What the $10 Million Funds at the School of Social Work
The $10 million will expand the reach of the Global Social Development Innovations Center, which will be renamed the Deloris P. Jordan Global Social Development Innovations Center, and the Jordan Institute for Families. The Jordan Institute for Families was founded in 1996 to work on policies around child and family wellbeing, maternal health and caregiving. The gift also establishes the Jordan Family Scholars program. Ten students will join the first round, each receiving a $12,500 scholarship, which comes to $125,000 in first-year awards. Deloris Jordan, who has been part of the university community for more than four decades, welcomed the focus on training future social workers. "It is especially meaningful to know that this gift will strengthen the education and opportunities available to those preparing to serve others," Deloris Jordan said.
How Jordan's $10 Million Compares to UNC's Giving Records
Jordan's $10 million gift is large even against the university's own fundraising. It equals about 61 percent of the $16,475,486 in contributions the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Foundation reported for the fiscal year ending June 2025, according to the foundation's latest Form 990. That foundation reported $792,540,669 in total assets and $695,368,351 in net assets for the same year. A single gift that approaches two-thirds of a year of one foundation's contributions is one reason the School of Social Work calls it the largest single gift in its history. The money is directed to two research centers and to Master of Social Work scholarships, rather than to a single one-time program, so it is set up to keep funding students and research in the years after 2026.
People Also Ask
How much did Michael Jordan give to the UNC School of Social Work?
Michael Jordan gave $10 million to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work on October 5, 2026. The university said it is the largest single gift in the school's history.
Why did Michael Jordan donate to UNC's School of Social Work?
Michael Jordan made the $10 million gift in honor of his mother, Deloris P. Jordan, who has been involved with the UNC School of Social Work for nearly 40 years. The gift supports research centers and student scholarships.
What will Michael Jordan's $10 million gift fund?
Michael Jordan's $10 million gift will expand the Global Social Development Innovations Center, which will be renamed the Deloris P. Jordan Global Social Development Innovations Center, and the Jordan Institute for Families. It also creates the Jordan Family Scholars program for Master of Social Work students.
Who is Deloris P. Jordan?
Deloris P. Jordan is Michael Jordan's mother and a longtime supporter of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Social Work. The school's Global Social Development Innovations Center will be renamed in her honor.
Sources: WUNC, Axios Raleigh.