Michael Jordan pledges $10 million to University of North Carolina, supporting social work students. Honours his beloved mother

Michael Jordan’s latest major gift to the University of North Carolina is about more than a record donation. The basketball legend has committed $10 million to UNC’s School of Social Work in honour of his mother, Deloris P. Jordan, turning a family legacy of service into an investment in the next generation of social workers.

Why Michael Jordan Chose Social Work

Announced on October 5, the donation is the largest single gift in the history of UNC’s School of Social Work, donated by Michael J. Jordan. It will expand the Global Social Development Innovations Centre, strengthen the Jordan Institute for Families and provide financial support for students pursuing social work degrees. “My mother has always believed in the power of helping children, families and communities,” Jordan said. “Honouring her through this gift to the UNC School of Social Work is truly meaningful to my family and to me.” The centre will now be renamed the Deloris P. Jordan Global Social Development Innovations Centre, placing his mother’s name at the centre of the work she has supported for decades.

Deloris Jordan’s Influence Goes Beyond Her Son

Deloris Jordan has maintained a long relationship with UNC and its School of Social Work. She has been involved with the university for more than 40 years and has worked on issues involving children, families and maternal health. Her work also extends beyond North Carolina. In 2010, she helped establish the Kenya Women and Children’s Wellness Centre in Nairobi, which has reportedly reached more than 200,000 people. “I am deeply proud to have been part of the Carolina family for more than 40 years,” Deloris said, describing the gift as meaningful because it will strengthen opportunities for people preparing to serve others.

Michael Jordan Announces $12,500 Scholarships For Social Work Students

A portion of Jordan’s donation will establish the Jordan Family Scholars programme. Ten Master of Social Work students will receive $12,500 each as inaugural scholars, helping students facing financial barriers enter the profession. That support comes as North Carolina faces a shortage of social workers. The Assembly reported that the state could need about 30,000 additional social workers by the end of the decade, with rural communities particularly affected.

A Legacy That Started At UNC

Jordan’s connection with UNC began long before his basketball career became global. He played for the Tar Heels from 1981 to 1984 and helped the team win the 1982 NCAA championship. Now, decades after his college years, his latest contribution is extending that Carolina connection beyond basketball. As UNC School of Social Work Dean Ramona Denby-Brinson put it, the gift reflects a shared commitment to service between Michael and Deloris Jordan. For Jordan, the $10 million commitment is therefore less about attaching his name to another institution and more about ensuring that his mother’s belief in helping families continues through the people who will serve them.