What The Shaquille O'Neal Foundation does

The Shaquille O'Neal Foundation is a private 501(c)-equivalent nonprofit charitable organization founded in 2019 by NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal and headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada. Its mission is to create pathways for underserved youth to help them achieve their full potential, delivered through facility development, sports infrastructure, holiday giving, and school-supply programs in U.S. communities.

Core programs include: (i) Comebaq Courts, a series of six refurbished basketball and multi-sport courts in Las Vegas, Newark, Miami, Atlanta/Henry County, Los Angeles, and Rockwall, TX, built under a 20-year partnership with Icy Hot (Opella); (ii) Shaq-a-Claus, an annual holiday gift program in its 24th consecutive year serving schools and community centers in Las Vegas, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Boston, and New Jersey; (iii) Shaq-to-School, a back-to-school initiative executed with partners Epson and Staples; and (iv) The Event, the annual black-tie fundraising gala (1st event 2021 raised $2.7M; 2022 raised $3.15M) featuring celebrity performers (Maroon 5, Pitbull, John Legend) and Pepsi Stronger Together as presenting sponsor. The foundation is also constructing the $24 million Shaquille O'Neal Youth Complex in Las Vegas (30,000+ sq. ft., groundbreaking June 2025, expected completion late 2026), which will house a Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada clubhouse and the country's first-ever Communities In Schools Alumni Center.

The business model is donation-based rather than commercial: revenue streams consist of fundraising-gala proceeds, corporate sponsorships (Pepsi, Icy Hot, Reebok, Epson, Staples, Papa John's Foundation, Big Chicken, Lakers Youth Foundation), direct public donations via the foundation's website (powered by GiveLively), and targeted donation-matching campaigns (e.g., UNest matching up to $100,000). Strategic delivery partners are Boys & Girls Clubs of America (Shaq is a BGCA alumnus and Alumni Hall of Fame inductee) and Communities In Schools (Shaq serves on the CIS national board of directors), providing access to BGCA's 4,645 clubs serving 4.73M youth and CIS's 2,900 schools serving 1.7M students. Operations are lean, with 1-10 employees and capital deployed primarily through partner-operated facilities rather than owned service delivery.

Name

The Shaquille O'Neal Foundation

Legal name

The Shaquille O'Neal Foundation

Website

https://shaqfoundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Shaquille O'Neal Foundation is a Las Vegas-based nonprofit founded in 2019 by NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal that funds youth development programs, including Comebaq Courts, Shaq-a-Claus, Shaq-to-School, and a $24 million Las Vegas Youth Complex, delivered through strategic partnerships with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Communities In Schools.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Development and Charitable Foundation Services

NAICS

Child and Youth Services (62411), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Arts, Sports & Recreation-Based Youth Development Nonprofits (BPAGADAJ)

akta.pro secondary industry

Youth Mental Health, Counseling & Wellbeing (Education-Linked) Nonprofits (BPAGADAK)

Keywords

• Youth development programs
• Charitable foundation services
• Community sports facilities
• Holiday gift programs
• Fundraising event production

Headquarters

HQ city

Las Vegas

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Fundraising Gala (The Event): Annual black-tie fundraising gala featuring celebrity performances, live auctions, and private dinners. Ticket sales and table sponsorships generate significant revenue. The 2022 event raised $3.15 million, 2021 raised $2.7 million.
2. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Revenue from corporate partners including presenting sponsors (Pepsi Stronger Together), diamond/platinum/gold sponsors, and in-kind donations. Partners receive brand visibility and association with foundation initiatives.
3. Direct Donations: Public donations through the foundation's website (GiveLively platform) and specific campaign initiatives like the UNest matching donation program (up to $100,000).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

The Shaquille O'Neal Foundation operates youth development programs for underserved children, including refurbished basketball courts (Comebaq Courts), an annual holiday gift program (Shaq-a-Claus), a back-to-school supply initiative (Shaq-to-School), and an annual fundraising gala (The Event). It partners with Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Communities In Schools to deliver programs and is constructing a $24 million Shaquille O'Neal Youth Complex in Las Vegas.

Product overview

The Shaquille O'Neal Foundation is a charitable organization established in 2019 by NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O'Neal that creates pathways for underserved youth to achieve their full potential. The Foundation operates multiple youth development programs including: Comebaq Courts (refurbished basketball courts in underserved communities), Shaq-a-Claus (annual holiday gift program in its 24th year), Shaq-to-School (school supply donations), and The Event (annual fundraising gala). The Foundation is constructing the $24 million Shaquille O'Neal Youth Complex in Las Vegas featuring a Boys & Girls Clubs facility and the country's first CIS Alumni Center. Primary strategic partnerships include Boys & Girls Clubs of America and Communities In Schools, with operations focused on Las Vegas and Atlanta communities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Comebaq Courts Refurbished basketball and multi-sport courts established in underserved communities across the United States in partnership with Icy Hot. Courts are located in Las Vegas, Newark, Miami, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Rockwall TX, and Henry County GA, providing safe spaces for youth to play and develop athletic skills.
• Shaq-a-Claus Annual holiday gift program that provides toys, clothing, meals, and other essentials to underserved youth. Now in its 24th year, the program serves children in multiple cities including Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Boston, and New Jersey.
• Shaq-to-School Annual school supply donation initiative that provides backpacks and essential supplies to underserved children preparing for the academic year. Partnerships with Epson and Staples provide technology and school supplies.
• The Event (Annual Fundraising Gala) Annual fundraising gala featuring live performances by celebrity musicians and comedians. The primary fundraiser for the Foundation, with proceeds supporting youth development programs. Past events have featured artists including John Legend, Maroon 5, Pitbull, Jennifer Hudson, and comedians like John Mulaney.
• Shaquille O'Neal Youth Complex $24 million youth development facility under construction in Las Vegas featuring a 30,000 sq. ft. Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada clubhouse, the country's first-ever CIS Alumni Center, 54,000 sq. ft. multi-sports field, UFC-themed MMA and boxing center, Early Childhood Learning center, gymnasium, mental wellness rooms, and technology labs. Expected completion late 2026.
• Shaquille O'Neal Boys & Girls Club of Henry County A Boys & Girls Club facility located in Henry County, Georgia near Atlanta, established in August 2021 with a $1.1 million renovation of a former middle school. Includes a learning center, computer lab, arts & crafts center, music studio, game room, multipurpose room, outdoor garden, and gym. Currently has over 400 registered members.
• Boulder Highway Multi-Sport Field $60,000 artificial turf multi-sport field donation at the Boulder Highway Boys & Girls Clubhouse in Las Vegas, funded through partnership with The Shaquille O'Neal Foundation and Reebok. The 6,000+ sq. ft. field supports enhanced Healthy Lifestyles programming including sports, recreation, and fitness activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 24 years of Shaq-a-Claus holiday giving
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, flagship, major and core.

• Archie ComicsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2026Developing comic book series 'Vengeance Unchained: The Legend of Black Caesar' with Shaquille O'Neal.
• Warner Bros.minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 April 2026Partner with Shaquille O'Neal on 'Dunkman' professional dunk league.
• EpsonminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 July 2025Corporate partner for Shaq-to-School celebration. Donated EcoTank printers for vision board activity at Boys & Girls Clubs of Southern Nevada.
• StaplesminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 July 2025Corporate partner for Shaq-to-School celebration. Hosted shopping spree for school supplies at their Las Vegas store.
• Icy Hot (Opella Brand)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 14 July 202520-year partnership creating Comebaq Courts - refurbished basketball courts in underserved communities. Six courts opened in Las Vegas, Newark, Miami, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Rockwall, TX. Icy Hot provides funding and brand visibility; foundation provides celebrity endorsement and community access.
• Lakers Youth FoundationminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 November 2023Collaborated on Comebaq Court at Challengers Boys & Girls Club of Metro Los Angeles. Lakers Youth Foundation ran basketball clinic at court opening.
• ReebokmajorGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 March 2023Joint donations for youth sports facilities. $60,000 donation for Boulder Highway Club multi-sport field. Court refurbishments at multiple locations. Partnership aligned with Reebok's 'Life is Not a Spectator Sport' campaign.
• Big ChickenminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 March 2023Shaq-founded restaurant brand. Birthday promotion donated portion of proceeds to foundation. Menu items (Lucille's Mac N' Cheese, Diesel Shake, Popcorn Chicken) tied to giveback campaign.
• UNestminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 November 2022Holiday giving campaign partnership. Offered matching donations up to $100,000 for Shaq-a-Claus program through their investment platform.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary strategic partner. The foundation works with local BGCA clubs in Las Vegas and Atlanta. Shaquille O'Neal is a BGCA alumnus inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame in 2000. BGCA serves 4.73 million youth at 4,645 clubs.
• Communities In SchoolscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary strategic partner. Shaquille O'Neal serves on the CIS national board of directors. The foundation is building the country's first-ever CIS Alumni Center as part of the Las Vegas Youth Complex. CIS serves 1.7 million students.
• Pepsi Stronger TogetherflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of The Event annual gala for three consecutive years. Provides significant funding and brand association. Part of PepsiCo's community investment initiatives.
• Papa John's FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupported opening of Shaquille O'Neal Boys & Girls Club of Henry County with funding. Pizza donations for Shaq-a-Claus events.
• CORE ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction company building the $24 million Shaquille O'Neal Youth Complex in Las Vegas.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Stephen Curry's Eat. Learn. Play. Foundation: Athlete-founded foundation focused on ending childhood hunger, literacy, and safe places to play. Directly comparable because it pairs a celebrity founder with a sports-and-education youth mission and partners with school/club networks.
• Kevin Durant Charity Foundation: Athlete-led foundation supporting at-risk youth through educational, athletic, and social programs. Directly comparable given similar age of foundation, NBA-founding, and youth development focus.
• Dwyane Wade Family Foundation: Athlete-founded charity supporting youth through education and community initiatives including a Wade's World Foundation. Directly comparable as another NBA figure's foundation operating youth and education programming.
• LeBron James Family Foundation: Athlete-founded nonprofit creating pathways for underserved youth through education and community programs. Directly comparable as a celebrity-led foundation of comparable scale, partnering with established youth and education networks.
• Chris Paul Family Foundation (CP3 Foundation): Athlete-led youth development nonprofit focused on education, athletics, and life-skills programming. Closely comparable as another NBA figure's foundation running school-based and community youth programs.
• Overtown Youth Center (Alonzo Mourning): Athlete-founded community youth center in Miami delivering athletic and education programming. Directly comparable as another NBA figure's youth facility that received Shaq Foundation funding and serves a similar underserved-youth market.

Broad incumbents

• Athletes for Hope: Charity connecting professional athletes to philanthropic causes and broader social impact initiatives. Comparable as an industry-coordinating organization in the athlete-led philanthropy space.
• Communities In Schools: National nonprofit supporting 1.7M students in 2,900 schools with dropout-prevention services. Directly comparable as Shaq's national-board affiliation and core operational partner for the Alumni Center inside the Youth Complex.
• Boys & Girls Clubs of America: National umbrella organization serving 4.73M youth at 4,645 clubs. Comparable as the primary operational delivery partner of the Shaquille O'Neal Foundation's youth facility programming.

Regional players

• LaSalle D. Leffall Jr. & Family Foundation / Papaye Youth Foundation: Smaller community-athlete-affiliated youth development nonprofits. Comparable in mission intensity but typically operate at materially smaller scale and regional footprint than the Shaquille O'Neal Foundation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/shaqfoundation

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about The Shaquille O'Neal Foundation