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.

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Adage Capital’s $10 Million Gift Launches UNCF’s Project ACCLAIM to Accelerate HBCU Student Pathways into Financial Services

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”

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: Lane College

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…

In Pivotal Moment for the Nation, Top Government, Industry and Philanthropic Leaders Convene to Discuss Future of HBCUs

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

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: Lincoln University of Missouri

Institutional Site Visit: Lincoln University of Missouri

Date: December 9, 2024
Time: All Day

December 9-10 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

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

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…

Institutional Site Visit: Allen University

Institutional Site Visit: Allen University

Date: January 6, 2025
Time: All Day

January 6th, 2025 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 Institute for Capacity Building Announces Recipients of 2023-2024 Faculty Research Mini-Grant Programs

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 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…

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UNCF Report Creates Blueprint to Activate HBCU Leadership in Climate Change and Sustainability

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

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…

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There’s a powerful narrative about what it means to be Black embedded in the evolution of Black colleges and universities.

UNCF President/CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax
President & CEO
UNCF

ICB Structure

Vision, Narrative, Champion

Strategy Development

  • Works with internal and external stakeholders to develop an understanding and appreciation of ICB’s mission, vision and strategic priorities.
  • Supports the dissemination of learnings from ICB programs, partnerships and communities of practice.
  • Pursues strategies and innovations that hold promise for Black colleges and universities and the future of Black higher education.
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Institutional Engagement, Planning, Delivery

Transformation Support

  • Provides comprehensive pro-trusive (proactive + intrusive) institutional engagement.
  • Uses the ACT Framework, our emotional intelligence approach, to operate with authenticity, compassion and transparency, while expecting the same from all stakeholders.
  • Executes continuous improvement through the AEIOU Framework: Articulate the problem. Equip the resolution owner. Improve the process. Observe the solution. Universalize the solve.
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Leadership, Governance, Accreditation

Executive Leadership

  • Supports presidents/chancellors and their governing boards to advance institutional missions.
  • Engages institutional leaders in a joint process of development, reflection, assessment and improvement.
  • Advances the belief that transformational change in higher education institutions is only possible when executive leaders are aligned, informed and interconnected to other institutional leaders engaged in the pursuit of similar missions and goals.
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Resources, Business Models, Financial Systems

Financial Sustainability

  • Aligns financial planning and strategy to institutional and student success priorities.
  • Identifies and develops KPIs to evaluate the institution’s financial health and support accreditation. 
  • Promotes thought leadership, professional development and sharing through a community of practice for CFOs and other fiscal officers.
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Innovation, Technology, Virtual Learning

Digital Solutions

  • Leads the development of HBCUv, a shared online learning platform for community learning where students, educators and staff are enabled to learn, develop and flourish together, from anywhere.
  • Develops tailored and culturally relevant opportunities that equip, sustain and promote technology adoption.
  • Ensures institutions are positioned to leverage and shape the future of digital learning and innovation. 
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Data, Information, Continuous Improvement

Knowledge Management

  • Strengthens the capabilities and decision-making capacity of institutions through the development and sharing of actionable data and information.
  • Improves data literacy and systems among institutions to promote proficiency and data-informed cultures.
  • Amplifies knowledge and information that uplift the legacy, impact and potential of Black colleges and universities.
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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.

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WE ASPIRE TO SERVE OUR NATION’S BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES: 102 HBCUs and 64 PBIs

Through our shared learning practices, we strive to influence all higher education institutionsespecially those serving significant numbers of Black and other marginalized students.

Our Network

Dorothy-Vaughan
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.

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March_on_washington_Aug_28_1963
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.

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Marian-Wright-Edelman
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.

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hero-about-landing
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.

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How many of the 102 HBCUs
can you name?
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