Bucks donate $1M to NBA Foundation grants supporting career advancement in Black communities

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee Bucks are strengthening their ties with the local community with a new multimillion dollar grant program. 

The NBA Foundation announced a $2 million donation Thursday, Dec. 17, that will go towards organizations driving employment and career advancement for African Americans.

The Bucks contributed $1 million as part of the grant program.

Milwaukee's "Operation DREAM," which provides mentoring support for young men of color, was one of seven organizations selected to receive a grant. 

"Operation DREAM was one of those first groups that we were really trying to help promote just because of their longstanding commitment and impact to helping support young men in our community, and they do incredible work of not only that mentorship approach but just thinking about how they can really make generational change with these young men and prepare them for future careers," said Arvind Gopalratnam, head of social responsibility for the Milwaukee Bucks.

Operation DREAM is receiving $200,000 from the NBA Foundation.

Over the next 10 years, the 30 NBA teams will contribute $30 million annually to the foundation.