Dwyane Wade grew up on Chicago's South Side and in suburban Robbins, and he built his foundation for kids walking the same streets. Since 2003, Wade's World has backed the local organizations that keep children learning, healthy and hopeful in Chicago, Milwaukee and South Florida. Its motto says it plainly: every child deserves a shot.
A Foundation Built on Home Ground
Wade founded the Wade's World Foundation in 2003, the year he entered the NBA. Rather than run programs from a distance, it funds and supports community-based organizations that promote education, health and social skills for children in at-risk situations.
Literacy, Health and Fatherhood
The foundation's work stands on three focus initiatives: literacy, health and fatherhood. Wade, who wrote about his own experience as a father in the book A Father First, has made strong families and strong reading skills the center of what the foundation supports.
Wade's World Weekend
Wade's annual homecoming weekend in Chicago brings the city together around its young people, with events such as the Chicago Has Talent showcase for young performers. He has also hosted a free basketball camp for hundreds of young people from the Robbins area where he grew up.
Holidays and Back-to-School Help
Season after season, the foundation shows up for families: an annual Christmas party for South Florida youth, the 3 Under the Tree holiday giving program, Thanksgiving giveaways, back-to-school supplies, hospital visits and fulfilled wishes for sick children.
A $100,000 Gift for Tangelo Park
In 2012, Wade visited Tangelo Park Elementary in Orlando for a Work Hard, Play Hard rally celebrating the students' academic achievements, and presented the Tangelo Park Community Program with $100,000 to help meet the educational needs of its students.
Co-Founding the Social Change Fund
In July 2020, Wade joined Carmelo Anthony and Chris Paul to create the Social Change Fund, which supports organizations working on criminal justice reform, voting access, economic equity and other issues facing Black communities.
Become a Member of House of Mutombo
Robert "Bob" Bush and the Mutombo Coffee family are building a community that shows up for people. Join the House and stand with them.