Michael Jordan has made a $10 million commitment to the University of North Carolina School of Social Work to honor his mother, Deloris P. Jordan. Announced on October 5, 2026, the contribution represents the largest single gift in the history of the School of Social Work.
The funding will expand the reach of the Jordan Institute for Families and the newly renamed Deloris P. Jordan Global Social Development Innovations Center. It also establishes the Jordan Family Scholars program, providing financial aid for Master of Social Work students, with ten inaugural scholars each receiving a $12,500 scholarship.
The announcement coincided with the start of the Deloris P. Jordan Global Social Development Innovations Center’s Global Research Symposium at the Friday Conference Center in Chapel Hill. The two-day gathering brings together scholars, practitioners, and partners from more than 20 countries to focus on youth development, emerging technologies, and global research collaborations.
Access to the Master of Social Work scholarship program will support graduate students facing financial barriers to entering the profession. The funding is structured to broaden educational access while strengthening the professional social work workforce in local and global communities.
The Jordan Institute for Families was originally established in 1996 by Michael Jordan and his family to focus on child and family well-being, maternal health, and caregiving. The Global Social Development Innovations center was founded in 2017 to develop evidence-informed interventions for youth and families in partnership with local and international organizations.
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