Turn 2 Foundation

Turn 2 Foundation
D. Benjamin Miller · CC0 · source
Name	Turn 2 Foundation
Formation	1996
Founder	Brian Jordan
Type	Nonprofit organization
Headquarters	Atlanta, Georgia
Region served	United States
Focus	Youth development, character education, substance abuse prevention, athletics

Turn 2 Foundation is an American nonprofit organization founded in 1996 that focuses on youth development, character education, and substance abuse prevention through athletics and celebrity outreach. The organization uses athlete-led mentorship, community programs, and scholarships to influence behavior among adolescents and teens across metropolitan and rural regions in the United States. Turn 2 Foundation has engaged with major sports franchises, educational institutions, and public figures to expand programming and public awareness.

History

Turn 2 Foundation was established by former Major League Baseball and National Football League athlete Brian Jordan after his tenure with the Atlanta Braves, St. Louis Cardinals, Houston Oilers, and Arizona Cardinals. Early activities included school assemblies and community events in Atlanta, Georgia and the broader Gulf Coast region, leveraging connections with peers from Major League Baseball, National Football League, and National Basketball Association. The foundation grew through collaborations with charitable arms of franchises such as the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Bulls, and Dallas Cowboys, while partnering with youth-service organizations like Boys & Girls Clubs of America and civic entities including the YMCA of the USA. Over time Turn 2 expanded programming into the Northeast United States, Midwest United States, and Southeast United States, aligning with national initiatives modeled after campaigns from groups such as Partnership to End Addiction and Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America.

Mission and Programs

Turn 2 Foundation’s stated mission emphasizes character development, academic achievement, and healthy living through sports-related mentorship and scholarship programs. Signature programs have included athlete-driven "Turn 2" school assemblies, in-school curricula, and summer camps that draw on models used by the Nike Foundation, NFL Play 60, and NBA Cares. Scholarship programs mirror practices from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s postsecondary support and echo grantmaking approaches seen at the Ford Foundation and Annenberg Foundation for educational advancement. Partnerships with collegiate programs at institutions such as University of Georgia, University of Florida, and Florida State University have provided venues and staff for clinics and tutoring, while collaborations with health agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration have informed substance-prevention curricula. Turn 2 also runs recognition events honoring athletes and community leaders similar to awards administered by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Baseball Hall of Fame, and local civic societies.

Impact and Outcomes

Turn 2 Foundation reports measurable outcomes in scholarship distribution, youth engagement, and community event reach, with recipients including high-school scholars and student-athletes who proceeded to enroll at institutions such as Georgia State University, Augusta University, and regional community colleges. Program evaluations reference evaluation frameworks used by Mathematica Policy Research and outcome metrics comparable to those applied by Youth Services America and America's Promise Alliance. The foundation’s outreach efforts have been featured at major forums and conferences hosted by entities like the National Conference on Community and Justice and Aspen Institute youth programs. Alumni testimonials cite mentorship links to professional athletes from franchises including the New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, and Los Angeles Lakers that contributed to college admissions and athletic scholarships.

Funding and Governance

Turn 2 Foundation’s funding has historically come from athlete donations, corporate sponsorships, event proceeds, and private philanthropy. Corporate partners have included sporting goods companies and corporate donors with profiles similar to Nike, Inc., Adidas, and media partners akin to ESPN. Governance is administered by a board of directors composed of former athletes, business leaders, and nonprofit professionals, employing governance practices found at organizations like the United Way and Council on Foundations. Financial oversight aligns with nonprofit reporting standards used by the Internal Revenue Service for 501(c)(3) entities and auditing conventions applied by accounting firms that serve arts and sports charities such as the Grant Thornton and Deloitte nonprofit practice groups.

Partnerships and Collaborations

The foundation’s collaborative model leverages relationships with professional sports teams, collegiate athletic departments, community organizations, and advocacy groups. Notable collaborative approaches mirror outreach programs run by Playworks, Girls on the Run International, and Special Olympics. Corporate sponsorships, joint events, and shared publicity have linked Turn 2 activities to marquee platforms like Major League Baseball All-Star Game, Super Bowl, and NCAA tournament-associated community initiatives. Educational partnerships often involve local school districts, state education departments such as the Georgia Department of Education, and nonprofit networks like Communities In Schools.

Controversies and Criticism

Critiques of athlete-led foundations often focus on transparency, impact measurement, and governance, themes that have surfaced in discussions about organizations associated with high-profile athletes such as those linked to LeBron James and other celebrity philanthropists. Observers reference broader debates in philanthropy involving scrutiny by watchdogs like Charity Navigator and investigative coverage in outlets such as The New York Times and The Washington Post. Specific criticisms directed at small-to-mid-sized sports foundations typically involve questions about administrative overhead, long-term sustainability, and the effectiveness of short-term interventions versus systemic policy change advocated by groups like Voices for National Service and Center for American Progress.

Category:Non-profit organizations based in Georgia (U.S. state)