United Negro College Fund

In 1943, Dr. Frederick D. Patterson, president of Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University), wrote an open letter in The Pittsburgh Courier to the presidents of other private black colleges urging them to "pool their small monies and make a united appeal to the national conscience." His idea took root, and on April 25, 1944, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) was incorporated with 27 member colleges.

Since that time, UNCF has grown to become the nation's oldest and most successful minority higher education assistance organization, with 39 member historically black colleges and universities. Our mission is to enhance the quality of education by raising operating funds for our member institutions, providing financial assistance to deserving students, and serving as a national advocate for the importance of minority higher education by representing the public policy interests of our students and member colleges.

Fund-Raising and Efficiency

  • UNCF has raised more than $2.5 billion in its 63 years of existence.
  • UNCF maintains a low cost ratio of only 11.4 percent of total revenues – 4.2 percent for administrative costs and 7.2 percent for fundraising.
  • Tuition and fees at UNCF colleges are approximately half that of other private American colleges, while their endowments are one-third the size of the average majority institution's endowment.
  • Approximately 92 percent of students attending UNCF member institutions require financial assistance.
  • 62 percent of students attending UNCF member institutions are from families with a gross income under $25,000 and roughly half of UNCF students are from single parent households.
  • UNCF offers more than 400 scholarships and fellowships for students and faculty who attend approximately 900 colleges and universities throughout the country. UNCF supports nearly 65,000 students each year.
  • Corporate Scholars Programs aimed at increasing diversity in the workplace through a combination of scholarships, summer internships and mentoring.

United Negro College Fund Member Institutions

Allen University
Benedict College
Bennett College
Bethune-Cookman College
Claflin University
Clark Atlanta University
Dillard University
Edward Waters College
Fisk University
Florida Memorial College
Huston-Tillotson College
Interdenominational Theological Center
Jarvis Christian College
Johnson C. Smith University
Lane College
LeMoyne-Owen College
Livingstone College
Miles College
Morehouse College
Morris College
Oakwood College
Paine College
Paul Quinn College
Philander Smith College
Rust College
Saint Augustine's College
Saint Paul's College
Shaw University
Spelman College
Stillman College
Talladega College
Texas College
Tougaloo College
Tuskegee University
Virginia Union University
Voorhees College
Wilberforce College                                                    
Wiley College
Xavier University

United Negro College Fund
Los Angeles Office
3699 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 675
Los Angeles, CA 90010
(213) 639-3800