Beyond Meat Inc., a leader in plant-based meat, and the newly formed non-profit Social Change Fund have formed a partnership to further the company’s commitment to fighting disparities in the Black community through initiatives tied to social justice, education and health equity.

In response to the continued issue of racial injustice, the Social Change Fund was created by NBA All-Stars Carmelo Anthony of the Portland Trail Blazers; Chris Paul of the Oklahoma City Thunder; and Dwyane Wade, who retired in 2019 after spending most of his career with the Miami Heat; and a group of Black industry executives.  

With Beyond Meat, Goldman Sachs and the nonprofit Reform Alliance have contributed funding.

Beyond Meat and the Social Change Fund both share the goal of creating lasting, systemic change for Black communities across America and fighting for justice on all fronts.

“We are honored to join in partnership with Chris Paul, Dwyane Wade, and Carmelo Anthony in support of the Social Change Fund. Beyond Meat is dedicated to serving broader social goals, using what’s on the center of the plate as a critical starting point,” said Ethan Brown, founder and CEO of Beyond Meat. “And we are excited to support and work with the Social Change Fund initiative to address racial inequalities in nutrition access and health outcomes in America.”

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Paul, who is a Beyond Meat investor and ambassador, said, “I’ve been a longtime supporter of Beyond Meat and am excited to welcome them as a founding partner into the Social Change Fund. Like the Social Change Fund, I know that Beyond Meat is committed to progress for our communities. I look forward to all the good that we can continue to do together."

Beyond Meat believes food is a powerful vehicle for change, as seen in the impact of the company’s Feed a Million+ initiative.

Launched in early April, the Feed a Million+ pledge aimed to provide more than 1 million Beyond Burgers and nourishing meals at no cost to frontline healthcare workers and communities in need.

Beyond Meat asked its employees, ambassadors and fans—a group that includes Paul, actor Kevin Hart, singer Ashanti, model Karlie Kloss, Olympic skier Lindsey Vonn and P.K. Subban, who plays for the NHL's New Jersey Devils—to nominate organizations the company could support. Beyond Meat has since provided more than 5 million Beyond Burgers and nourishing meals to organizations such as Feeding America, Food Bank For New York City, Lenox Hill Hospital, Cedars-Sinai, The Food Bank for Central & Northeast Missouri, DC Central Kitchen, Houston Food Bank, Second Harvest Canada and more.