Jalen Brunson volunteers with NBA Cares during a community service activation, supporting families through hands-on giving.
Throughout 2026, the NBA will honor the 250th birthday of the United States with a yearlong celebration centered on service, storytelling and community engagement, using the power of basketball to bring people together across the country.
In partnership with America250, Military250 and Stand Together, the league’s efforts will come to life through leaguewide and team-driven activations, volunteer initiatives and content experiences that reflect the NBA’s longstanding commitment to civic engagement, service and volunteerism. The NBA, and its teams, will be supporting America250’s AmericaGives initiative and Military250’s “Acts of Service”, which tracks hands-on service hours leading up to the historic milestone.
The NBA family is proud to join in celebrating the 250th Birthday of America throughout 2026. In partnership with @America250 and @StandTogether, the NBA, its teams, and its players will provide service and hands‑on volunteerism in support of communities across the United States.… pic.twitter.com/M8JUmaGNOP
— NBA Cares (@nbacares) January 23, 2026
The NBA has also joined Stand Together’s Be the People Leadership Council, an initiative aiming to unite millions of Americans around solving local challenges ahead of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Service will anchor many of the league’s efforts throughout the season. The NBA family began the celebrations with the 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Service Project in New York City at the Covenant House, with volunteers from the NBA, NBCUniversal and Realizing the Dream giving back to the community. Service events continue at NBA All-Star 2026 in Los Angeles through the 18th annual NBA Cares All-Star Day of Service and the NBA Cares Employee Week of Service in March. Additional celebratory moments will appear at league tentpole events, reinforcing the league’s belief in collective action and community impact.
Youth participate in an NBA Cares basketball clinic at Covenant House New York, part of the 2026 Martin Luther King. Jr. Day of service, for its largest-ever service day in partnership with the New York Knicks.
The NBA will also elevate voices from across its community. Players, coaches, legends and community partners will share reflections on the importance of service and volunteerism to American communities, the significance of the nation’s 250th milestone and the role of basketball in bringing communities together. These stories will live across broadcast, digital and social platforms, connecting fans with voices from across the NBA family.
Luka Dončić connects with a young participant during an NBA Cares community event.
The league will also introduce NBA x America250 creative, including a new PSA and in-arena elements celebrating the anniversary. At the team level, NBA teams will activate locally through community programming, partnerships and America250-themed game nights, supported by a comprehensive America250 x Stand Together toolkit. As part of the broader service effort, teams will also participate in initiatives that recognize the nation’s military legacy, including volunteer activations tied to the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps.
“The 250th birthday of the United States offers the NBA Family a wonderful opportunity for reflection and civic engagement, and we’re proud to help bring communities together through hands-on service,” said Barbara Bush, NBA Senior Vice President of Social Impact and Inclusion. “The NBA family has long believed in the unifying power of basketball and the importance of taking collective action to strengthen our communities.”
More on the NBA’s National Partners
America250: America250’s mission is to celebrate and commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The goal of the America 250 campaign is to inspire fellow Americans to reflect on our past, strengthen our love of country, and renew our commitment to the ideals of democracy through programs that educate, engage, and unite us as a nation.
Military250: In advance of America’s 250th birthday, the 250th Anniversary of the Army, Navy and Marine Corps is being recognized through service. The veteran and military family community’s celebration of this milestone will include a look back at the storied history of our Armed Services and their contributions to the strength of our nation. The NBA will join veterans and military family members in honoring the 250 years of the United States Army, Navy and Marine Corps – by supporting meaningful change and acting through patriotic participation, getting involved in volunteer activities supporting military family organizations and honoring our military community.
Stand Together: Stand Together is a philanthropic community that helps America’s boldest changemakers tackle the root causes of our country’s biggest problems, from education to the economy, broken communities, and division, among dozens of other pressing issues. Stand Together provides partners with access to resources, including funding, a unique network of peers, and a playbook for applying proven principles to transform lives and society. Stand Together also partners with Realize The Dream, an NBA-supported movement inspired by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s vision of the Beloved Community to unite Americans across divides through 100 million hours of service by 2029, the 100th anniversary of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.
The America250 initiative reflects the NBA’s enduring belief in basketball as a force for connection and community. Through partnerships, service and storytelling, the league will honor this historic milestone while uplifting communities nationwide, while honoring the values that unite us throughout 2026.
