Beyond the Court: UNC’s Seth Trimble Launches “Assist Foundation” to Support Local Youth, Fueled by NIL Earnings
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – In an era where Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) earnings are often associated with flashy cars, designer clothes, and personal branding, University of North Carolina guard Seth Trimble has chosen a different path—one that has left the Tar Heel community in awe and redefining what it means to be a student-athlete. The sophomore standout, known for his lockdown defense and electrifying dunks, has announced the launch of “The Assist Foundation,” a non-profit initiative funded primarily by his own NIL earnings, aimed at providing support, resources, and opportunities for underprivileged youth in the Chapel Hill and Durham communities.
The announcement, made via a heartfelt video on his social media platforms, did not feature highlight reels or boasts of personal success. Instead, it showed Trimble volunteering at a local community center, shooting hoops with wide-eyed kids, and speaking candidly about his desire to make a tangible impact.
“We talk a lot about assists on the court—making the pass that leads to a basket,” Trimble said in the video. “But an assist off the court can be so much bigger. It can be the thing that helps someone score a better future. This foundation is my assist to a community that has given me so much. The money from NIL is a blessing, but it’s not just for me. It’s a tool to help others.”
From Idea to Action: The Genesis of “The Assist Foundation”
The concept, Trimble revealed, was born during his freshman year. As his visibility grew, so did his opportunities for NIL partnerships with local businesses and national collectives like the Heels4Life collective. While he watched peers invest in their futures, he felt a pull to do something more communal.
“I was sitting in my dorm, looking at these opportunities, and I just thought, ‘What can I do with this that truly matters?’” Trimble explained in an exclusive interview. “I’ve been incredibly blessed with a supportive family and this incredible platform at Carolina. Not every kid has that. I wanted to use this new tool that we, as athletes, have been given to be a net positive.”
He quietly began working with university advisors, legal counsel, and his family to structure the foundation as a legitimate 501(c)(3) non-profit. The core mission of The Assist Foundation is threefold:
1. Academic Support: Funding tutoring services, providing school supplies, and offering scholarship aid for summer enrichment programs.
2. Athletic Opportunities: Covering league fees and equipment costs for youth sports, ensuring financial barriers don’t keep kids off the court or field.
3. Mentorship: Organizing events where local youth can connect with UNC student-athletes from various sports, providing them with role models and guidance.
A Stunned and Proud Tar Heel Nation
The reaction from the Carolina community has been one of overwhelming pride and astonishment.
“I’ve been around college athletics for a long time, and this is one of the most selfless, mature initiatives I’ve ever seen from a student-athlete,” said Head Coach Hubert Davis. “We preach in our program about being more than a basketball player. We talk about being a great teammate, a great student, and a great member of the community. Seth has taken that to a level nobody could have anticipated. I’m just incredibly proud of him.”
Fans took to social media to express their support. “We’re used to cheering for these young men for what they do in the Smith Center,” tweeted one longtime fan. “Today, I’m cheering infinitely louder for what Seth is doing outside of it. This is the Carolina Way personified.”
Another wrote, “Most guys his age would be thinking about the car they’re gonna buy. Seth Trimble is thinking about the community he can uplift. We are witnessing the character of a champion.”
The Ripple Effect: Beyond a Single Gesture
Trimble’s decision is more than just a feel-good story; it’s a potential paradigm shift. In the often-murky world of NIL, where debates rage about its impact on amateurism and team dynamics, Trimble has provided a powerful counter-narrative: that NIL can be a force for profound social good.
“Seth is setting a new standard,” said Sarah Melton, a professor of sports administration at UNC. “He’s demonstrating incredible financial maturity and social consciousness. This isn’t just charity; it’s a strategic, sustainable investment in his community. He’s leveraging his platform not just for personal gain, but to create a legacy of empowerment. I would expect this to inspire other athletes, both here at UNC and across the country, to think about how they can use their influence in a similar way.”
The foundation has already secured its first major corporate partner, with a local Chapel Hill bank pledging to match Trimble’s initial personal donation dollar-for-dollar. The Heels4Life collective also released a statement praising Trimble’s vision and encouraging other athletes to consider how they can give back.
For the kids at the community center, the impact is already real. They don’t see a complex business model or a shifting collegiate landscape; they see their friend, Seth, who happens to dunk on TV, spending time with them and telling them they can achieve anything.
As he prepares for a highly anticipated season where his role on the team is expected to expand significantly, Seth Trimble’s legacy is already being cemented. It will be built not just on steals and points, but on hope, opportunity, and the profound power of an assist.
“This is just the beginning,” Trimble promised, a smile spreading across his face. “The first donation is just the first pass. The real win is watching these kids make the shot.”
