The Bronstein Family Foundation announced a $15 million philanthropic commitment to expand its efforts to protect children and teenagers from cyberbullying and other forms of online harm. The Chicago-based nonprofit said the funding will accelerate advocacy, education, and policy initiatives aimed at improving accountability among schools, technology platforms, and communities responsible for student safety.
The foundation was created by Rose and Rob Bronstein following the death of their son, Nate Bronstein, a 15-year-old Chicago student who died by suicide in January 2022 after experiencing prolonged cyberbullying from classmates and basketball teammates at the Latin School of Chicago. According to the foundation, Nate had reported the harassment to the school, but appropriate measures were not taken, and his parents were not notified as required under Illinois law.
The newly announced commitment brings the organization’s total planned philanthropic investment to $15 million by the end of 2028, including the $7.8 million the foundation has already donated. As part of the next phase of its work, the organization will also begin offering grants of up to $250,000 to selected nonprofit organizations over one to three-year periods. Priority will be given to smaller and emerging nonprofits with annual budgets under $5 million that focus on protecting children, particularly in online environments.
Since its founding in 2022, the Bronstein Family Foundation has pursued several initiatives designed to address digital safety and accountability in schools. These include legal advocacy and public awareness efforts highlighting schools’ failures to respond adequately to bullying, efforts to strengthen child protection laws, and support for policies that limit electronic device use during the school day.
The foundation also helped create the Tech-Safe Learning Coalition, a group of 20 partner organizations focused on reducing the risks associated with school-issued technology and promoting safer digital learning environments.
The foundation’s flagship initiative is Buckets Over Bullying, a sports-driven campaign encouraging accountability among students, parents, schools, and social media platforms. The program was developed in collaboration with basketball influencer and trick shot performer Tristan Jass and focuses on using sports culture to promote positive behavior and digital citizenship among young people.
Buckets Over Bullying has delivered in-school programs to more than 50,000 students across cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Las Vegas, and Detroit, while reaching millions more online. Through partnerships with the Organization for Social Media Safety, the initiative has also funded in-person social media safety training for more than 25,000 students.
Beyond educational programming, the initiative provides pro bono legal support for Illinois families affected by bullying and supports legislative advocacy efforts, including amendments to Illinois’ bullying law and federal proposals such as Sammy’s Law.
The program has built partnerships with several major organizations, including Chicago Public Schools Athletics, the Amateur Athletic Union, the National Basketball Association, the Detroit Pistons, the HoopBus, NAMI Chicago, and DePaul University.
The Bronstein Family Foundation has also provided significant philanthropic support to other organizations, including ongoing funding for the Jesse White Foundation and the SportsFactory Foundation, as well as a $2.2 million commitment to Detroit based MATIO, formerly known as Kids Kicking Cancer.
Grant application instructions are expected to be released soon, and organizations that meet the funding criteria have been encouraged to reach out to the foundation in advance.
KEY QUOTE:
“Rose and Rob Bronstein have bravely transformed personal tragedy into decisive, sustained leadership to protect so many children, and this new philanthropic commitment will save even more lives. We are honored and grateful to continue our partnership with Buckets Over Bullying, bringing evidence-based social media safety education into K-12 schools nationwide and advancing public policies that protect families from cyberbullying and other social media-related harms.”
Marc Berkman, CEO, Organization for Social Media Safety
