COLORADO SPRINGS, Colorado (March 12, 2026) – The USA Basketball Foundation (USABF) announced today that it has received a $1 million donation from businessman Jim Taubenfeld. The gift allows the Foundation to deploy funds where needed and to harness the power, influence and global reach of the USA Basketball Foundation to grow the game beyond the court.
Taubenfeld’s gift, which will be dispersed over a four-year period, strengthens the Foundation’s ability to expand grassroots programming, invest in leadership development and mentorship initiatives, and create community engagement. Among other activities, the gift will support clinics and community takeovers, scholarship opportunities and court refurbishments.
The gift will be put to immediate use as the USA Basketball Foundation will partner with Me Salvé to host a community takeover on Friday, March 13, in San Juan, Puerto Rico, marking the Foundation’s first activation in Puerto Rico. The event will feature a sports leadership development panel featuring local standout Orlando Meléndez. Meléndez, a Puerto Rico native and advocate for community-based programs, had a standout playing career at the University of North Carolina before playing professionally internationally and with the Harlem Globetrotters.
The USA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Team are in San Juan competing at the 2026 FIBA Women’s World Cup Qualifying Tournament, set for March 11-17.
“We are excited to welcome Jim Taubenfeld to the USA Basketball Foundation family with the shared goal of continuing to grow the game,” USA Basketball Foundation chairman David Denenberg said. “We are looking forward to immediately putting this partnership into action with a community takeover in San Juan, Puerto Rico, which will kickstart a partnership that we know will positively impact the game at many levels.”
Since launching in 2019, the USA Basketball Foundation has been a driving force behind expanding access to the game and reaching thousands of youth, women and individuals from underserved communities. The organization has helped create safe places to play, opened doors to professional development, and made high-quality coaching accessible to teens and kids.
“We are incredibly proud to partner with the USA Basketball Foundation to create an opportunity for children in our community who may not always have access to programs like this,” Taubenfeld said. “Basketball has the power to inspire confidence, teach teamwork, and open doors for young people. Our goal is simple — to make sure every child, regardless of their background or circumstances, has the chance to experience the joy of the game and to believe in their potential.
“By working together with the USA Basketball Foundation, we hope to create not just a memorable day but an experience that encourages these kids to eliminate ceilings imposed upon them, to dream bigger, work harder, and know that we believe in them.”
“The mission of the USA Basketball Foundation isn’t possible without support from those who share our vision,” USA Basketball CDO Jennifer Lynne Williams said. “We are grateful to Jim Taubenfeld and his belief in what the Foundation is executing on and off the court.”
San Juan Community Takeover Media Information: The USA Basketball Foundation community takeover is set for 2:30-3:45 p.m. AST at JUMP Sports Development Center (374 C. Stgo, Luis Medina, San Juan). Media interested in attending the San Juan community takeover can contact Shanice Torres (storres@mesalve.com).
About USA Basketball Foundation
The USA Basketball Foundation is a nonprofit organization that harnesses the power, influence and global reach of USA Basketball to grow the game beyond the court. The Foundation impacts children, athletes, coaches, students and young professionals through programming that includes mentorship and scholarship opportunities, community outreach, court improvements and more. Formed in 2019, the USA Basketball Foundation is a 501(c)3 supporting organization founded to conduct programming and generate support for USA Basketball, a nonprofit organization and the national governing body for the sport of basketball in the United States.