Two AMB chapter membership benefits combined into one powerful tool: access to the National Chapter Network connecting all 19 licensed AMB chapters, plus curated Community Resource partnerships to address your local community's specific challenges.
All 19 active licensed AMB chapters across 9 states — connect, collaborate, and learn from your peers
As a licensed AMB chapter, you are part of a 19-chapter national network spanning Alabama (2), California (7), Georgia (3), Maryland (Founding), Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas (2), and Virginia. Chapter directors may contact each other directly for peer support, program ideas, vendor recommendations, and shared funding opportunities. National HQ facilitates quarterly director calls — see the Peer Network tab for the schedule.
AMB's national-level partnerships — leverage these relationships for your local chapter
AMB National has established relationships with national organizations in employment, education, justice reform, health, and sports. These relationships may help your chapter unlock local branch offices, joint programming, referral pathways, or co-funding opportunities. When reaching out to a local branch of a national partner, always mention that your chapter is a licensed member of the Association of Midnight Basketball and reference the national partnership.
OJJDP has a longstanding relationship with midnight basketball programming nationally and has funded AMB programs since the 1990s. OJJDP's Title V Community Prevention Grants and Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) funds are primary funding streams for AMB chapters.
HUD's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program and Youthbuild initiative support community organizations serving low-income youth. AMB chapters located in HUD-designated communities may be eligible. Work with your city's HUD office to explore CDBG sub-grants through local government.
DOJ's Community Relations Service (CRS) provides free, confidential conciliation services to communities experiencing tensions related to race, color, and national origin. CRS can facilitate your Police Engagement MOU negotiations and provide neutral mediation for community events.
The AAU provides AMB chapters with comprehensive insurance coverage — including sports accident, general liability, and certificates of insurance — as a benefit of membership. The AAU also mandates athlete protection and abuse prevention policies and background screening for all coaches, staff, and volunteers working with minor participants.
The NBA Foundation focuses on economic empowerment for Black communities. AMB chapters may be eligible for NBA Foundation grants, mentorship program partnerships, and co-branded events with local NBA teams. Contact your regional NBA team's community affairs department and reference the AMB national relationship.
The National Urban League operates 90+ local affiliates providing job training, education, housing, and workforce development. AMB chapters should connect with their local Urban League affiliate to create referral pipelines for participants seeking employment and education services.
National 4-H has expanded well beyond rural programming into urban youth development. Local 4-H groups can be structured co-programming partners for AMB life skills workshops, STEM programming, and leadership development.
Many BGCA clubs serve the same communities as AMB chapters. Where AMB runs nights (10 PM–2 AM), BGCA runs afternoons. Partnership opportunities include shared facilities, referred participants, joint grant applications, and shared staff training resources.
Saks Fifth Avenue has a documented partnership with AMB through their social responsibility program. The featured Saks grant provides access to workforce development funding, particularly for fashion, retail, and professional dress resources for AMB participants entering employment.
JPMorgan Chase's Advancing Black Pathways program and workforce development initiatives align closely with AMB's employment-focused life skills programming. Local Chase branches may support financial literacy workshops, career coaching, and small business development for participants.
Curated national resource providers — organized by participant need category
Use this form to document a local community partner or resource you've found. Your notes save to a text file you can share with your team and report to National HQ.
Tools for building, documenting, and growing local community partnerships
Send this letter to local organizations you want to partner with — service providers, churches, businesses, schools, and nonprofits.
A lighter-weight MOU for non-law-enforcement community partners (food banks, churches, service providers, employers). Easier to execute than the police MOU but still formalizes the relationship for grant documentation.
Document all active community partnerships in one place. Required for grant reporting and annual compliance review.
| Organization | Type | Service Area | Contact | MOU Status | Referrals Made |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| [Org Name] | Employment | Job Placement | [Name/Email] | Signed | 12 |
| [Org Name] | Education | GED Program | [Name/Email] | Signed | 8 |
| [Org Name] | Health | Mental Health | [Name/Email] | Pending | 3 |
| [Org Name] | Housing | Emergency Housing | [Name/Email] | Informal | 5 |
Use this agenda for initial meetings with prospective community partners. Keeps the meeting focused and professional.
Connect with other AMB chapter directors for support, shared learning, and collaboration
Topics: Season launch readiness, compliance checklist review, Q1 grant deadlines, new chapter welcome
7:00 PM ET — ZoomTopics: Participant outcomes midpoint review, police engagement updates, summer programming plans
7:00 PM ET — ZoomTopics: Chapter spotlight presentations (2 chapters share a best practice), fall grant applications, 40th Anniversary event coordination
7:00 PM ET — ZoomTopics: Year-end reporting, compliance final check, 2027 program year planning, next year budget cycles
7:00 PM ET — ZoomAMB National facilitates direct chapter-to-chapter connection when a director requests support in a specific area. Contact National HQ and specify which topic you need peer support on.
Game night logistics, referee management, participant management
Peer review of grant drafts, sharing funder contacts, joint applications
MOU negotiation strategies, managing challenging relationships
Coach recruitment, background check processes, volunteer management
Case management setup, data collection, reporting frameworks
Local media relationships, social media strategy, event promotion
Securing gym space, lease terms, backup facilities
License renewal, AMB standards, insurance requirements
The annual gathering of all licensed AMB chapter directors, national staff, funders, and partners. In 2026, this event coincides with the AMB 40th Anniversary celebration. All chapter directors are strongly encouraged to attend.