OVERVIEW: The Mark Cuban Foundation runs free AI bootcamp programs for underserved teens and a fund to support the families of veterans killed in action. Other grantmaking supports health, sports and education.
IP TAKE: The Mark Cuban Foundation’s grantmaking has tapered off somewhat in recent years, suggesting this foundation may be changing direction. The foundation is not transparent or accessible, maintaining only a simple webpage on Cuban’s professional site and separate websites for signature programs. While this funder does not appear to accept applications, an address and phone number are provided below. Sign up to receive Mark Cuban’s emails at the bottom of his personal blog.
PROFILE: The Mark Cuban Foundation was established in Dallas in 2003. Its founder, Mark Cuban, is best known as the owner of the Dallas Mavericks basketball team and an investor in the TV series Shark Tank. Cuban made his fortune when an internet company that he cofounded, Broadcast.com, was sold to Yahoo! for $5.9 billion in 1999. The Mark Cuban Foundation describes itself as a “philanthropic organization working to support causes and empower communities in Dallas and beyond.” Its giving and engagements focus on STEM education, health, mental health, sports and recreation, community development and more.
Grants for STEM Education
Education is a main focus of the Mark Cuban Foundation, although giving for education has tapered off somewhat recently.
- The foundation runs a signature program, AI Bootcamps, and partners with nonprofits across the U.S. to host free AI technology training to underserved high school students. Partner organizations include Code Academy, the Institute for Advancing Computing Education, HeadStorm and Miami-Dade College, among others.
- Grants have also supported education and youth-related organizations including Girls Inc. of Tarrant County in Texas, Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania, the University of California at San Francisco and Indiana University, which is Cuban’s alma mater and home to the Mark Cuban Center for Sports, Media and Technology.
Grants for Public Health, Mental Health and Diseases
The Cuban Foundation does not name specific goals for its health and mental health, recent grantmaking appears to prioritize cancer research and care.
- Grantees include the Sandy Rollman Ovarian Cancer Foundation and Don’t Ever Give Up Inc., which was created to support the Victory Over Cancer Foundation.
- Other health and disease grants have supported the Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Association and the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.
- Mental health is a smaller giving area, but organizations providing services to vulnerable people have received funding over the years. Grantees include Florida’s Path for Healing Foundation, Homeward Bound of Dallas and the the Family Care Foundation in Amarillo, Texas.
Grants for Military and Veterans
The Mark Cuban Foundation runs the Fallen Patriot Fund, which aims to “help families of service men and women, first responders who were killed or seriously injured in the line of duty.”
- The fund only supports families; it does not make grants to nonprofit organizations that support veterans causes.
- For information about how to apply for funding, see the program’s FAQ.
Grants for Community Development
Not surprisingly given Mark Cuban’s involvement with professional sports, the foundation makes grants to support organizations that run sports and recreation programs. Grantees include the United States of America Rugby Football Union and Celebrity Games for Charity.
Jewish Causes
Jewish causes are a smaller area of giving for the Mark Cuban Foundation, but a few grants steadily go out each year. Grantees include the Jewish Community Center of Dallas and the Birthright Israel Foundation.
Important Grant Details
The Mark Cuban Foundation’s grants range from $10,000 to $275,000.
- This funder’s grantmaking has declined recently, with fewer than 15 grants made in a recent year.
- With the exception of the Fallen Patriot Fund, the Mark Cuban Foundation does not accept unsolicited requests for funding.
- For information about past giving, see the foundation’s tax filings.
While the Mark Cuban Foundation does not provide a direct way to get in touch, Mark Cuban maintains a LinkedIn page. An address and phone number for the foundation are provided below.
PEOPLE:
Search for staff contact info and bios in PeopleFinder (paid subscribers only).
LINKS:
CONTACT:
Mark Cuban Foundation
1229 Slocum St.
Dallas, TX 75207
(214) 696-2133