The Dunn Foundation, a 501c3, non-profit organization

based in the Washington, DC area and Los Angeles, California started in 2006 by

William Dunn.

Also known as "Dunn," who grew up a troubled youth between Virginia and New York City, was once told by a high-school principal "he wasn't going to amount to nothing." Dunn lost three of his close friends and a cousin to gun violence before he was 21yrs old. It wasn't until Dunn became involved in sports when his life turned around; Dunn was an all-around athlete excelling in basketball, football, track and boxing.

Dunn was a Golden Gloves boxing champion and won three state boxing titles as a teenager and went to college on basketball scholarship. Dunn was the leading scorer and captain of the team his senior year at Longwood University where he set seven individual and team records.  After his short stint of chasing professional basketball Dunn joined the military to play All-Army basketball only to be deployed to Iraq ending his professional basketball career.  Dunn then went on to coaching basketball, football, mentoring and recruiting as his way of being a voice of hope and resource of support for families and communities. 

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Dunn not only beat the odds by graduating from high school despite having a challenging childhood, but Dunn also went on to receive his associates, bachelors, master's and doctorate degree proving you can be better than the negative environment you are around.

Dunn has gone on to become a best-selling author, motivational-speaker, entrepreneur, philanthropist and recently received the

2024 Joseph Biden Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award for Service

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"Its Not About How You Start In Life, Its What You Do With That Start in Your Life"

-Dr. William Dunn

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Dunn and his wife, Valarie are one of the few African American husband and wife to study and receive their doctorate degrees together in front of their five children: Taylor, Tay, Tahj, Tamir and Taevon. Dunn and his wife, Valarie wanted to show their children that growth and learning never ends.

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Drs. William and Valarie Dunn both entrepreneurs, best-selling authors, and educators know how it feels to raise children with limited financial resources. They also know that "you don't have to look like you have a need to have a need" and they are deeply committed to helping families in any way they can. They also want to show their family and friends that there is power is giving when working together. 

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The Dunn Foundation, along with support of family, friends, sponsors and donors have been able to provide over 10,000 families with free resources over the past 10 years. With the help of their many partners The Dunn Foundation helped over 3,000 families during the pandemic year.

 

The Dunn Foundation is a family foundation that provide year-round initiatives such as The Dunn Foundation Free HBCU College Experience Tour, Annual Back to School Giveaway, Annual Turkey Giveaway providing over 600 families each year with a free turkey and sides. In addition, The Dunn Foundation host an Annual Warming Hearts for the Homeless Initiative, where they provide hundreds of individuals with a book bag that includes blankets, gloves, hats, scarfs, hand-warmers and snacks every year on Christmas Day at So Others Might Eat Homeless Feeding site in Washington, DC.

 

Dunn said he will never forget his roots and the value of helping others. The Dunn Foundation believes that providing people with resources of support not only puts a smile on their faces, but it also gives them "hope" which is the first step toward getting pass life's challenges.

 

"Once You Have a Sound Mind and Sound Body You Can't Lose."

-Dr. William Dunn

"Adidas Sound Mind Sound Body Tour, 2016"

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The Dunn Foundation programs has connected with people all across the United States and over 32 countries across the world to include: Philippines, Canada, United Kingdom, Russia, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Cyprus, India, Pakistan, Israel, South Korea, Italy, Puerto Rico, Uganda, Jamaica, Netherlands, France, South Africa, Peru, Brazil, Finland, Poland, Malaysia, Thailand, Albania, China, Venezuela, Colombia, Napal, Germany and Kenya

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"Thank You for Helping Us Help Someone Else"- The Dunn Foundation