After losing her husband, Kobe Bryant🏀 and daughter Gianna in a tragic helicopter crash in January 2020, Vanessa Bryant faced unimaginable grief. But instead of retreating, she chose to honour their memory in a powerful way.
Vanessa later won a $28.85 million lawsuit against Los Angeles County after first responders shared unauthorized photos of the crash site.
Rather than keep the money, she donated the entire sum to the Mamba & Mambacita Sports Foundation, a nonprofit she leads in honour of Kobe and Gianna.
“There is no #24 without #2,” Vanessa once wrote, referencing Kobe and Gianna’s jersey numbers. “Our mission remains the same—and stronger than ever—to provide opportunities to young people through sports.”
A Legacy of Opportunity and Impact
The foundation supports underserved youth by funding sports programs, camps, and scholarships. It aims to create equal opportunities for boys and girls to pursue their dreams through athletics and education.
In January 2025, Vanessa and the foundation donated over 8,000 pieces of Nike sports apparel to families displaced by wildfires in Los Angeles.
She also helped distribute sneakers and gear at Dodger Stadium, continuing her hands-on approach to philanthropy.
The foundation’s work has expanded nationwide, offering mentorship, training, and emotional support to young athletes. It also partners with schools and community centres to promote inclusion and resilience through sport.
Vanessa’s donation is one of the largest personal gifts ever made to a youth sports nonprofit in the U.S. Her decision has opened doors for thousands of children who might otherwise be left behind.
“By turning pain into purpose,” one supporter wrote online, “Vanessa has kept her family’s legacy alive through love, opportunity, and hope.”
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