PHILADELPHIA - The owner of the Philadelphia 76ers has pledged a $3.5 million donation to the Philadelphia Police Athletic League — the largest amount ever recorded by the non-profit youth group.

The PAL supports disadvantaged youths by pairing them with police officers who volunteer to direct sports, educational and cultural programs.

Team owner Joshua Harris, a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's Wharton School, is making the donation through a family foundation with which he's affiliated. He said Thursday he feels it is his obligation to find a way to give back.

"All of us who have done well in our lives, we have the responsibility to give back and to allow other people to do so. I myself grew up playing sports and it lifted me," he told WPVI-TV.

Eighteen PAL centres are located in some of the city's highest crime and poorest neighbourhoods. Children between 6 and 18 can participate in the programs for free. About 15,000 kids currently use PAL's programs.

Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey said PAL helps lower crime.

The Sixers owner and co-founder of Apollo Global Management LLC made billions investing in distressed properties. Harris' sizable donation exceeds the entire net revenue for the PAL in 2013, which was $2.2 million according to tax documents. The grant will be disbursed over five years.