The 49ers confirmed their reported plans to donate $1 million to two Bay Area groups in a statement from team CEO Jed York on Thursday.
In a tweet linking to the statement, York wrote that he was proud to make a donation designed to “get the focus where it belongs.”
“Today, I am committing that the 49ers Foundation will contribute $1 Million to the cause of improving racial and economic inequality and fostering communication and collaboration between law enforcement and the communities they serve here in the Bay Area.
We are partnering with the Silicon Valley Community Foundation and the San Francisco Foundation in this effort. We have chosen to work with these two organizations because they have proven track records of affecting change in the face of challenging problems and have the collective reach to make the greatest impact. Silicon Valley Community Foundation is the largest community foundation in the world, managing $7.3 billion in assets and more than 1,800 philanthropic funds globally. The San Francisco Foundation has served the people of the Bay Area since 1948, almost as long as the 49ers franchise. We are excited to work with these two renowned foundations over the coming months to develop a giving plan to help our community find unifying solutions to these pressing issues.”
49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has also pledged $1 million to community groups since his decision not to stand during the national anthem caught public notice. That decision has sparked a wide range of responses, including this one from the 49ers that could serve as a model for others who agree with some or all of the sentiments that Kaepernick has expressed if not the manner that he’s expressed them.
