Michael Jordan committed $10 million to the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill School of Social Work on Monday, Oct. 5, 2026. The university stated the donation, made in honor of Jordan’s mother, Deloris P. Jordan, is the largest single gift in the history of the School of Social Work.
The contribution follows a history of support from the Jordan family to the school, including the 1996 establishment of the Jordan Institute for Families (JIF). That institute has focused on maternal health, mental health, and family economic support. Deloris Jordan has also established services for women and displaced children in Nairobi, Kenya.
Under the terms of the donation, UNC will rename its Global Social Development Innovations Center to include Deloris Jordan's name. The funds will also establish the Jordan Family Scholars program. In a statement, Jordan said the gift was intended to support social workers who help communities navigate challenges and to assist more students in entering the field.
The financial support includes funding for 10 "Jordan Family Scholars," students pursuing a Master's of Social Work who will each receive a $12,500 scholarship. UNC Chancellor Lee Roberts stated the investment would strengthen the school's ability to serve communities "across North Carolina and beyond."
For the residents of North Carolina, the gift and the resulting training programs are intended to increase the number of professionals available to manage cases involving child welfare, maternal health, and mental health crises. The endowment is the UNC School of Social Work's largest private investment. By funding both local scholarships and global research through the renamed center, the gift links North Carolina’s educational infrastructure to international social work initiatives. The next steps for the university involve the selection of the inaugural class of 10 scholars and the formal renaming of the research center.