MacKenzie Scott’s $70 million landmark gift is what it looks like to stand with HBCUs and students!
This gift will support UNCF’s $1 billion Capital Campaign and be invested in the UNCF Members Pooled Endowment Fund.
The impact will be substantial: the median endowment of UNCF member schools would rise from $15.9 million to $25.9 million—a 63% increase. This $10 million stake per school is a consequential addition when compared to the stark gap between HBCU and non-HBCU endowments, where HBCUs trail by at least 70%.
This gift also builds on Scott’s previous generosity to UNCF: in 2020, she contributed $10 million to bolster the UNCF emergency reserve fund. Today’s $70 million contribution is seven times that investment, bringing her total giving to UNCF to $80 million.
“We are deeply grateful for MacKenzie Scott’s continued support. By entrusting UNCF to decide how best to use these funds, she affirms that HBCUs merit investment at this scale and her generosity will strengthen our member institutions and provide pathways to success for tomorrow’s changemakers,” stated Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO, UNCF.
We celebrate her leadership and generosity, and we invite other corporate and philanthropic partners to help carry that momentum into the future of education. Read more about the landmark gift - link in bio!
Your journey will challenge you, push you and shape you. But with vision, drive and the right support, success is within reach. College is possible—and UNCF is here to illuminate the path forward. 💡🎓
Watch our new “UNCF: Light the Way,” PSA and join us in making education accessible for all because “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”®
🔗UNCF.org
#UNCFLightsTheWay
If you’ve ever walked across an HBCU yard, you know this moment means more than a degree. 🎓🖤
It’s the late nights, the lifelong friendships, the professors who pushed you, the community that poured into you, and the legacy you now carry forward.
Today, we celebrate the Class of 2026 across our UNCF-member HBCUs and every graduate who dared to dream bigger for themselves, their families, and their future.
To our HBCU alumni: welcome the next generation into the legacy. Drop your alma mater below and show the Class of 2026 some love.
The future is in good hands. #UNCF #ClassOf2026 #HBCUExcellence #HBCUGrads #FridaysatUNCF
It is Forward Friday at UNCF! We are looking for visionary professionals in the Detroit area for the 2025 through 2026 Aging Services Executive Diversity Fellowship.
This unique opportunity offers a paid, one year residency with direct CEO mentorship and a seat at the executive table. It is designed specifically for mid career experts and recent master’s graduates ready to transition their skills into leadership.
Please pause the video now to read the full job description.
Help us identify the next fellow. Tag a colleague below or share this post with your network.
Find full details and apply: opportunities.uncf.org
#UNCF #FridayatUNCF #ForwardFridayatUNCF #Detroit #DiversityInLeadership CareerGrowth
For more than 180 years, HBCUs have turned limited resources into extraordinary results. They have fostered leaders, driven innovation, and strengthened America from the ground up. These institutions have always done more with less, but this has gone on for too long.
Across the country, HBCU campuses are forced to operate in buildings that are outdated, deteriorating, and in some cases crumbling. Our students compete in a 21st-century economy that demands cutting-edge spaces and technology. This isn’t a talent gap, it’s an infrastructure gap. While HBCUs have proven their strength, underfunding prevents our institutions from operating at their best.
The IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act is the moment we match HBCUs’ proven strength with the investment it needs. For generations, we have outperformed expectations despite aging buildings and limited resources. This bill flips that reality. IGNITE delivers funding to rebuild and repair aging campus facilities. With congressional support, IGNITE will modernize our facilities, expand broadband access, and construct new, state-of-the-art academic and student spaces. This Act will equip HBCUs with the physical infrastructure needed to grow enrollment, strengthen research capacity, and better prepare students for high-demand careers.
Tell Congress and the White House to: pass the HBCU Excellence Act and help ignite the full strength of HBCUs.
#HBCUIGNITE #HBCUExcellence #InvestInHBCUs #HBCUPride
A celebration of excellence, impact and global leadership.
We are proud to share that Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president & CEO, UNCF, will be awarded an honorary doctorate from @columbia University at its 2026 Commencement on May 20, recognizing his leadership and lifelong commitment to advancing equity and expanding access to educational opportunity for all.
@drmichaellomax joins a distinguished group of honorees whose work has shaped culture, public service and scholarship worldwide—including Jon Batiste, acclaimed musician and fellow honoree at this year’s UNCF New Orleans Mayor’s Masked Ball, whose artistry continues to inspire audiences across the globe.
We celebrate Dr. Lomax and all of this year’s honorees for their extraordinary contributions to shaping a more inclusive and inspired world.
#UNCF #DrMichaelLomax #ColumbiaUniversity #HonoraryDegree #Leadership Excellence HBCUs
Congratulations to Lodriguez Murray, senior vice president, Public Policy and Government Affairs, UNCF, on being named to the Washingtonian’s Most Influential List for the sixth consecutive year. This recognition reflects his continued impact across the higher education sector, including his work leading on the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act (Institutional Grants for New Infrastructure, Technology and Education), a bipartisan proposal aimed at providing significant federal investments for infrastructure, technology and facility improvements at HBCUs.
We are proud to celebrate this well-deserved honor and his ongoing commitment to advancing our mission and communities.
#Washingtonian #Leadership #HBCUs #UNCF
Scholarships can open doors, change futures and help students stay focused on earning their degree. 🎓
Swipe through this month’s UNCF scholarship opportunities, including awards supporting HBCU students, graduating seniors and future leaders across the country.
Deadlines are approaching, so apply today and share this post with a student who should see it.
Learn more at uncf.org or check out our scholarships link in our bio.
#UNCF #Scholarships #HBCU #StudentSuccess #CollegeAccess
Dr. Walter M. Kimbrough of UNCF checks in on the Rickey Smiley Morning Show to talk about how the @onevoyagecruse is the true party with a purpose, helping raise scholarship funds for HBCUs.
Set sail with us October 26 through November 1, 2026, aboard Virgin Voyages’ Resilient Lady from Miami to Nassau, Bahamas, and Bimini for a one-of-a-kind experience filled with world-class entertainment, enriching moments, and unforgettable vibes featuring T.I., Rick Ross, Pastor Mike Jr., and more.
Tap in for the full conversation, then visit the link in bio to learn more about One Voyage Cruise or call 214-495-1963
How it started vs. How it’s going.
Seems like just yesterday she was my little granddaughter — full of creativity, curiosity, and big ideas.
Now, here we are celebrating her graduation from Howard University, the very same institution her grandmother Pearl proudly attended years ago.
There’s something powerful about seeing that legacy come full circle. Howard has long been a place where Black excellence is nurtured, leadership is forged, and generations are prepared not only to succeed, but to serve.
Watching her walk across that stage, carrying both her own dreams and the legacy of those who came before her, fills my heart with pride. She has carved her own path while honoring the foundation laid by her family and community.
I’m beyond proud of the brilliant young woman she’s become and grateful to witness this milestone. Chloe, keep dreaming big,
walking boldly, and shining your light for the world to see.
Your grandfather will be cheering you on every step of the way. ❤️💙
First-generation, future attorney, and proud UNCF scholar Emani Labon is graduating from her dream school, @spelman_college , this month—proving what’s possible with determination and support. Labon received the Karsh @kippschools HBCU Success Scholarship, supported by UNCF, and is now preparing for law school.
Her story is a powerful reminder: access changes everything.
Read more about Labon’s journey and how scholarships open doors for students like her on our Substack. 🔗
Did you know? 👑
Like everyone else, we’re loving the renewed excitement around the GOAT—Michael Jackson. The release of #Michael, the #1 film in the world, means it’s the perfect time to look back at a powerful moment in his legacy: When Michael he received an honorary doctorate from UNCF-member institution Fisk University!
A global icon honored by an institution rooted in excellence; we love to see it. #UNCF #TBT
