The Silicon Valley Community Foundation and the San Francisco Foundation are receiving a combined $1 million boost from the 49ers, a team spokesman said Thursday.
The 49ers' donation comes in the wake of quarterback Colin Kaepernick's recent pledge to also give community programs the first $1 million he earns this season. Kaepernick did not stand for the national anthem before the past month's exhibitions, in a call for action against racial injustice and police brutality.
Jed York, the 49ers CEO, did not mention Kaepernick's endeavor in a statement regarding the team's donation, which he later tweeted was 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," York's statement continued. "We have chosen to work with these two organizations because they have proven track records of effecting 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."
Kaepernick on Wednesday said he also would donate his proceeds from his best-selling jersey "back into the communities."
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