May 2016
UNCF CELEBRATES ITS 72nd ANNIVERSARY 

UNCF's journey started with Dr. Frederick Douglass Patterson's open appeal, published in The Pittsburgh Courier in January 1943, to the presidents of the nation's HBCUs suggesting a joint appeal for funds.

After a year of planning, UNCF was incorporated on April 25, 1944. The organization has grown exponentially.  UNCF's first campaign in 1944 raised approximately $765,000 for the 27 charter member colleges. This amount was more than three times the total amount raised individually by the schools in the previous year. 

To date, donors have contributed more than $4.5 billion to UNCF. And more than 430,000 students have college degrees thanks to UNCF.  Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities each year.  Follow us on Twitter. 
HELP UNCF MAKE A DIFFERENCE, SUPPORT GREATER 
FEDERAL INVESTMENT IN HBCUs AND STUDENTS
TELL CONGRESS TO INVEST IN HBCUs

UNCF stakeholders have an important opportunity to support our nation's historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and the thousands of students they serve. The U.S. Congress has begun making critical recommendations on the FY 2017 federal budget and HBCU programs are vying for a limited pool of federal resources. You can help us make a difference on Capitol Hill by writing to your members of Congress today and urging them to support increased federal funding for HBCUs. U.S. senators and representatives need to hear from their constituents that HBCUs are an excellent investment for their students and the nation because they provide a high quality and affordable education. Your voice matters. Make it heard today. Click here to send an email to your legislators, and help build better futures for our students. 

UNCF AWARDS PLANNING GRANTS TO 30 COLLEGES, UNIVERSITIES TO IMPROVE JOB PLACEMENT FOR GRADS
Thirty colleges have been selected as planning grant awardees for UNCF ' s new Career Pathways Initiative , a highly competitive grant process open to four-year historically black colleges and universities and predominantly black institutions to help students gain the knowledge, preparation, insight and skills needed for meaningful employment upon graduation.

The grants total $2.55 million, which has the potential to assist over 66,000 students. The initiative was made possible by a $50 million commitment by Lilly Endowment, Inc. Dr. Michael L. Lomax, UNCF president and CEO, called the initiative "important for the entire American higher education system and the American global economy."  Learn More.   Video
Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal answers audience questions with Dr. Michael L. Lomax
 at the 2016 UNCF Governor's Luncheon.
GOVERNOR'S LUNCHEON IN ATLANTA
RAISES MONEY, AWARENESS
Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal delivered the keynote address at the UNCF Governor's Luncheon. He and Dr. Lomax then examined Georgia's education landscape and explored changes that could improve educational outcomes from pre-K  through post-secondary.   "Quality education is the most important resource a child needs in ensuring a successful life," Deal said. "It is our responsibility to provide the necessary tools to the next generation of leaders that will become the anchors in our community."

Approximately 200 people, including local corporate and community leaders, education community and policy makers, and supporters of UNCF, attended the April 19 event. Since 2003, governors and other elected officials around the nation have hosted the UNCF Governor's Luncheon in an effort to provide resources for students to get to and through college.  More...   Photo Gallery
DR. LOMAX ADDRESSES MINORITY DEVELOPMENT
DIRECTORS FROM COLLEGES ACROSS THE COUNTRY
CASE and African American Development Officers Network conducted the fourth conference on diverse philanthropy and leadership  to meet the great demand for professional development at all levels of advancement and in understanding philanthropic diversity. Fred D. Mitchell, UNCF's vice president of development, was co-chair of the event April 21 in Chicago.

"We are seeing more diversity among funders and benefactors," Dr. Lomax said as he addressed about 200 development and advancement directors from around the country. "In the wake of the technology revolution, innovators and entrepreneurs are making their fortunes earlier, beginning their philanthropy earlier, and becoming more personally involved in funding decisions." More...

During #NationalVolunteerWeek, UNCF would like to recognize our dedicated volunteers. The contribution of your time and diligent hard work as our Board of Directors, Leadership Council, student recruiters and event volunteers drives our mission of creatin
THANKS TO ALL OF OUR VOLUNTEERS!

In recognition of Volunteer Appreciation Week in April, UNCF would like to recognize our dedicated volunteers. The contribution of your time and diligent hard work as our board of directors, leadership councils, student recruiters and event volunteers drives our mission of creating #BetterFutures. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you.  

Interested in learning about upcoming volunteer opportunities? Please contact us directly at  volunteer@uncf.org .

UNCF
1805 7th Street, NW
Washington, DC  20001