Through our shared learning practices, we strive to influence all higher education institutions—especially those serving significant numbers of Black and other marginalized students.
Historic partnerships. Historic change.
For 80 years, UNCF has served as a beacon for those ready to invest in—and act on—the belief that no mind should be wasted and no dream deferred.
UNCF’s Institute for Capacity Building partners with Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Predominantly Black Institutions and their supporters and champions to advance the promise of Black higher education.
We believe in the transformative potential of Black colleges and universities.
We Take A Racial Justice Approach to Institutional Transformation and Educational Equity.
Defining Racial Justice
The fair and just empowerment of all racial identities, resulting in equal opportunities, equitable outcomes and liberation for all people. Racial justice is achieved through responsive systems, structures and processes, as well as deliberate, dynamic, proactive and preventative supports—all consciously designed to right historic and social wrongs.
Adage Capital’s $10 Million Gift Launches UNCF’s Project ACCLAIM to Accelerate HBCU Student Pathways into Financial Services
Students will receive experience and will be empowered with substantial influence over decisions to help sustain the future of their institutions EDGARTOWN, MA (Aug. 15,…
UNCF and Founding HBCUs Sign Historic Agreement to Launch HBCUv, a Digital Learning and Community Engagement Platform “By HBCUs, for HBCUs”
A transformative moment for champions of Black higher education. ATLANTA, GA (Aug. 8, 2024)—In a landmark event that promises to redefine the future of higher…
Institutional Site Visit: Simmons College of Kentucky
Date: November 6, 2024
Time: All Day
November 6th, 2024 Our institutional site visit is a critical component of ICB’s support to transformation partners. Each site visit is a two-day opportunity for…
In Pivotal Moment for the Nation, Top Government, Industry and Philanthropic Leaders Convene to Discuss Future of HBCUs
Speeches on Black education to be delivered by US Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Michael S.Regan, Pulitzer Prize Winner Nikole Hannah Jones, Xerox CEO Steven Bandrowczak…
HBCU Collective Impact Announces New Campaign
The HBCU Collective Impact is a group of organizations that have joined together for the purpose of supporting the HBCU community with the power of…
Institutional Site Visit: Wiley College
Date: November 7, 2024
Time: All Day
November 7-8, 2024 Our institutional site visit is a critical component of ICB’s support to transformation partners. Each site visit is a two-day opportunity for…
UNCF Releases a Call to Action for Enhanced Mental Health Support at HBCUs Ahead of a Groundbreaking Fall 2024 Report
Today, UNCF (United Negro College Fund) and its Institute for Capacity Building announced the publication of “From Awareness to Action: The Imperative for Enhanced Mental…
More Than 2,300 Nonprofits, Brands and Influential Leaders to Activate for Fourth Annual Mental Health Action Day
SHOWTIME/MTV Entertainment Studios, in partnership with more than 2,300 leading brands, nonprofits and cultural leaders globally, today announced the fourth-annual Mental Health Action Day, to…
UNITE 2025 Sponsorship Interest Webinar
Date: November 13, 2024
Time: 2pm EST
November 13th, 2024 As we begin to embark on planning for UNITE 2025, we invite you to register for our upcoming virtual Sponsorship Interest Webinar,…
UNCF Institute for Capacity Building Announces Recipients of 2023-2024 Faculty Research Mini-Grant Programs
UNCF’s (United Negro College Fund) Institute for Capacity Building (ICB) is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2023-2024 Faculty Research Mini-Grant programs, sponsored by…
UNCF Names Legendary Educator Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole as President-In-Residence and Co-Chairperson of its $1 Billion Capital Campaign
UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is honored today to announce that distinguished scholar, anthropologist and academic pacesetter Johnnetta Betsch Cole, Ph.D., has accepted a president-in-residence…
ICB Speaks: Stanford Accelerate Edtech Impact Summit 2024
Date: November 18, 2024
Time: 12:00 PM
November 18, 2024 Julian Thompson, Senior Director of Strategy Development, will be speaking at the Stanford Accelerate EdTech Impact Summit 2024. He will participate in…
UNCF Report Creates Blueprint to Activate HBCU Leadership in Climate Change and Sustainability
Released at the 2024 Higher Education Climate Leadership Summit, “The HBCU Climate Action Blueprint: Sustainable Campuses, Empowered Communities” explores the current activities and future aspirations…
PGIM, UNCF Study Finds Private HBCU Endowments Need Investment Support
Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are a critical learning path for Black students seeking quality higher education in the United States. Yet, these institutions…
ICB Speaks: Complete College America: Creating a Culture of Student Success
Date: November 20, 2024
Time: 10:30 AM
November 20, 2024 Rev. Darryl Ann Lai Fang, Assistant Vice President of Transformation Support, will be speaking at the Complete College America 2024 Annual Convening.…
UNCF Receives $100 Million Grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to Support Capital Campaign
During a press conference held today at Clark Atlanta University, UNCF (United Negro College Fund) announced that Lilly Endowment Inc. has awarded a $100 million unrestricted grant…
CNN Philanthropic group gifts United Negro College Fund $100 million grant to help boost HBCU endowments
The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) has received a landmark $100 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. in support of a capital campaign aimed at…
Institutional Site Visit: Lane College
Date: December 3, 2024
Time: All Day
December 3-5, 2024 Our institutional site visit is a critical component of ICB’s support to transformation partners. Each site visit is a two-day opportunity for…
INSTITUTIONAL NETWORK
There’s a powerful narrative about what it means to be Black embedded in the evolution of Black colleges and universities.
Dr. Michael L. Lomax
President & CEO
UNCF
Funders & Partners
ICB Structure
HBCUv: Shaping the online future of Black higher education
UNCF is designing, with nine partnering HBCUs, an online platform for lifelong learners to flourish together and celebrate Black excellence—from anywhere.
WE ASPIRE TO SERVE OUR NATION’S BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES: 102 HBCUs and 64 PBIs
IF NOT FOR BLACK COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES…
One small step could have been too big a leap.
When Apollo 11 touched down in the Sea of Tranquility that July night in 1969, it was made possible by the invaluable calculations of NASA mathematicians Dorothy Vaughan (Wilberforce University) and Katherine Johnson (West Virginia State University).
With your support, this legacy of shaping the future will continue.
DONATE TODAY
IF NOT FOR BLACK COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES…
The Civil Rights Movement wouldn’t have gone as far.
Many of the leading lights of the 1950s and 60s movement were HBCU graduates, including: Kwame Ture (Howard University), Medgar Evers (Alcorn State), Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Morehouse College) and Rosa Parks (Alabama State).
With your support, this legacy of shaping the future will continue.
DONATE TODAY
IF NOT FOR BLACK COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES…
Head Start would have been a non-starter.
Spelman College graduate Marian Wright Edelman founded the Children’s Defense Fund, which fought for key policies like the national Head Start program that has helped lift generations of kids out of poverty.
With your support, this legacy of shaping the future will continue.
DONATE TODAY
IF NOT FOR BLACK COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES…
There would be no rising Black middle class.
Within 10 years of graduation, HBCU diploma-holders typically earn more than $71,000 a year. Compared to peers who did not go to college, they will earn $1 million more over their lifetimes. Those HBCU students who are the first-in-family to graduate from college will not be the last, transforming families and entire communities.
With your support, this legacy of shaping the future will continue.
DONATE TODAY
How many of the 102 HBCUs
can you name?
