Annual Report 2019 PDF Download
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Our Mission
UNCF envisions a nation where all Americans have equal accessto a college education that prepares them for rich intellectual lives, competitive and fulfilling careers, engaged citizenship and service to our nation.
UNCF’s mission is to build a robust and nationally recognized pipeline of underrepresented students who, because of UNCF support, become highly qualified college graduates and to ensure that our network of member institutions is a respected model of best practices in moving students to and through college.
UNCF’s North Star is to increase the total annual number of African American college graduates by focusing on activities that ensure more students are college-ready, enroll in college and persist to graduation. This is done through a three-pillar strategy:
• Positioning member institutions as a viable college option for students and investing in institutional capacity to improve student outcomes.
• Creating transformational support programs to ensure that students are enrolling and persisting through college completion.
• Building awareness of educational attainment and cultivating college-going behaviors within the African American community.
UNCF: Building a Pathway of Educational Support From K-12 Through College and Career
Dear friend of UNCF, Welcome to UNCF’s annual report for the 2019 fiscal year. We are often asked the secrets behind UNCF’s success: 75 years and counting, more than $5 billion in contributions and 500,000 graduates from UNCF-member HBCUs with UNCF scholarships. “No secret,” we reply, “It’s all in the Annual Report.” This year’s report is no exception. As we told a packed house in our first-ever annual address about the health and well-being of HBCUs (read “The State of the HBCUs”), ever since UNCF was founded in 1944,“HBCUs have persisted, producing educational results far beyond what would be predicted based on their size and funding.” Another story, “A Scholarships Scoop,” reports on the second lane of UNCF’s work: the 400 scholarship, internship and fellowship programs UNCF offers each year, programs whose recipients have an average graduation rate of 70%, almost double the average rate for all African American students and significantly higher than the rate for students of all races and ethnicities. UNCF is also active and effective in securing passage by Congress of legislation providing increased funding and flexibility for HBCUs and for low-income, first-generation college students—“Why UNCF Matters now More than Ever,” and UNCF research provides a rigorous and impactful foundation for UNCF’s advocacy of the right of every student to a K-12 education that prepares them for college and career.Another story, “A Scholarships Scoop,” reports on the second lane of UNCF’s work: the 400 scholarship, internship and fellowship programs UNCF offers each year, programs whose recipients have an average graduation rate of 70%, almost double the average rate for all African American students and significantly higher than the rate for students of all races and ethnicities.None of this would be possible, as this Annual Report documents, without the support and partnership of companies, like JPMorgan Chase, ExxonMobil and Coca Cola, that have been with UNCF since it was founded (read “75 Years of Schools, Students and Stewardship”); organizations like Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (read “The Enduring Power of Partnership”) and Top Ladies of Distinction (read “Volunteering to Make a Difference”) and loyal supporters like UNCF-member institution Morehouse College graduate Herbert Horner, who generously included UNCF in his estate plan (read “A Legacy Of Education”). These are just a few of the “secrets” of UNCF’s success, and just a few of the articles in this Fiscal Year 2019 Annual Report. Read this Report straight through or browse through the articles that most interest you. We hope that whether you’ve invested in UNCF’s schools and students for years, or this is the first time you’re considering helping us send students to and through college, you’ll be inspired to make UNCF’s motto, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste”®, your own. Sincerely,

IMPACT
42 Years and Counting: Anheuser-Busch Foundation Makes UNCF HBCUs and Students a Priority
1980: “The Lou Rawls Parade of Stars”TM
When Anheuser-Busch signed Lou Rawls as a national spokesperson, the corporation asked which charity he wanted Anheuser-Busch to support as part of his contract. Rawls told them, UNCF. While the company had donated generously to UNCF in previous years, the financial investment that came from its support of UNCF’s telethon, “The Lou Rawls Parade of Stars,”TM went on to raise more than $200 million for UNCF from 1980-2006.2010: Anheuser-Busch Foundation Scholarship Program
The Anheuser-Busch Foundation began a named scholarship program focusing on college juniors and seniors with a financial need. Donations under the program have now reached more than $1.58 million in scholarships, which have been awarded to nearly 350 students to date. Under the 2019-2020 program, 38 talented students received scholarships valued at $4,000 each.2013: “The Great Kings and Queens of Africa”
In 2013, Anheuser-Busch donated “The Great Kings and Queens of Africa” art collection to UNCF, a group of paintings valued at more than $1 million, that had been commissioned by Anheuser-Busch in 1975-2000. UNCF distributed pieces from the collection to six UNCF-member colleges and universities: Morehouse, Clark Atlanta, Dillard, Fisk, Xavier and Benedict. “The donation by Anheuser-Busch of ‘The Great Kings and Queens of Africa’ paintings to UNCF-member HBCUs is an important contribution to the artistic and cultural education that has always been a hallmark of the HBCU experience,” said Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D., president and CEO, UNCF. “These works of art help students appreciate both the paintings’ artistry and the stories they tell, while the Anheuser-Busch scholarships continue to keep the promise of the paintings alive by helping outstanding up-and-coming student leaders overcome the financial obstacles that so many of our HBCU students face.”Today
The current relationship between UNCF and the Anheuser-Busch Foundation remains quite strong. The Anheuser-Busch Foundation continues to support UNCF through scholarship funding, unrestricted donations and by supporting events at UNCF local offices in New York and St. Louis—cities where the company has large numbers of employees. “We are grateful to the Foundation for its steadfast, generous and continued support of our mission,” Lomax explained. “The gifts by Anheuser-Busch and its foundation enable us to serve our institutions and our students not only financially, but through new and inventive experiences which have been mainstays of UNCF’s efforts for many years. We look forward to continuing to do great things with this great partner.”IMPACT
Dr. Lomax on the ‘State of the HBCU’: “Our Aspiration Is To Lead, Not To Follow”

Dr. Michael Lomax, UNCF President and CEO, delivers the first-ever “State of the HBCU” address on Capitol Hill to members of Congress, member presidents and other supporters of historically Black colleges and universities.
IMPACT
A Legacy of Education: Herbert Horner—From the “Greatest Generation” to Today’s HBCU Students

UNCF legacy donor Herbert Horner, Jr., with his beloved mother, Johnnie Lester Seals Horner
IMPACT
75 Years of Schools, Students and Stewardship: UNCF Celebrates its Diamond Anniversary with a Gala in Washington, DC
JPMorgan Chase
Winthrop Aldrich, chairman of Chase National Bank, was a member of the mobilizing board for the first UNCF Capital Campaign in 1944. UNCF’s connection with what is now JPMorgan Chase dates back to Chase National Bank, with bank employees raising money around “The Lou Rawls Parade of Stars”TM telethon. JPMorgan Chase currently runs a very impressive UNCF program staffed internally and funded by the Chase Foundation, called The Fellowship Initiative, out of three cities: Chicago, Los Angeles and New York. It was launched in 2010 in New York, and enrolls young men of color in a comprehensive, hands-on enrichment program that includes academic, social and emotional support to help them achieve personal and professional success.ExxonMobil
UNCF was established in 1944, and Standard Oil (now ExxonMobil) generously donated $16,000 to UNCF to help found the organization—equivalent to $228,393 today. John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Standard Oil’s chairman, publicly endorsed UNCF and personally wrote letters to other wealthy individuals asking for support. In 1948, Rockefeller further provided UNCF $70,000 in Standard Oil stock, which enabled the fledgling organization to purchase its first headquarters. A few year later, Rockefeller again donated cash to UNCF, this time $5 million in support of its first capital campaign. During his lifetime, John D. Rockefeller, Jr.’s contributions to UNCF totaled more than $6 million. In 2009, ExxonMobil’s support was crucial to issuing a challenge grant that created UNCF’s on-going Campaign for Emergency Student Aid (CESA), which provides final-year undergraduate students at UNCF-member HBCUs with the funds they need to complete their education. Since ExxonMobil’s initial challenge grant, more than $30 million has been raised for more than 13,000 CESA scholarships averaging $2,500 each.Coca-Cola
For 35 years, Coca-Cola has been a presenting sponsor of UNCF’s Atlanta Mayor’s Masked Ball. And, since 2006, Coca-Cola has been a sponsor of the UNCF Coca-Cola First Generation Scholarship Program, helping more than 600 students go to and through college, and join the ranks of successful careered Americans. As the night’s celebration wrapped up, the impressive donor audience was recognized by Dr. Michael L. Lomax, UNCF’s president and CEO. “We are so pleased to have this impressive group of donors gathered tonight. Their legacies live on through the students who have earned their college degrees thanks to their generosity over the years,” he said. Schools, students and stewardship—all keys to the longevity of an organization whose history has impacted a nation and will continue to do so for years to come. Through 75 years of service and support, UNCF’s mission remains a critical part of our nation’s ability to be competitive, as diversity is truly our national strength. Long-term friends and donors make it possible to mark major milestones like 75 years, but student success is the ultimate dividend paid to all Americans that every one of us can celebrate.SCHOLAR PARTICIPANTS AT GALA
RAY CHARLES Brenika Ashe Beltinor Bethune Cookman University, 2019 EXXONMOBIL Imani Holman Virginia Union University CHASE Amikka Smith Burl JPMorgan Chase/UNCF scholar Bennett College for Women, 2009 Graduate Communications Director for Wayne County, Michigan WELLS FARGO Scholars Cierra and Imani Graham Bennett College Graduates COCA-COLA DuJuan Morris Morehouse College Graduate Current Graduate Student at Clark Atlanta University UNCF/Coca-Cola First Generation Scholar FUND II FOUNDATION Soinkne Morant Xavier UniversityIMPACT
Why UNCF Matters Now More than Ever
- Strengthening HBCUs: $282.42 million ($2.796 million above FY2018 enacted level)
- HBCU Capital Financing Program: $40.484 million with $20 million specifically to defer loans ($10 million above FY2018 enacted level)
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness: $350 million set aside for students to award student loan forgiveness and $2.3 million set aside for outreach efforts
INNOVATE
A Scholarships Scoop: Three New Named Scholarship Programs Add Power to Purpose
Boulé Foundation Scholarship
How can an organization like the Boulé Foundation, founded through the work of the historic Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, carry on a commitment to educating new generations of black leaders, supporting others working to protect and advance the civil rights of Black citizens and improving the quality of life for Black people? One answer jumps out: By helping African American and other students of color get the college education that they deserve and that today’s economy demands. And, by extending that helping hand through the new Boulé Foundation Scholarship. The new program awards $4,000 merit-based, renewable scholarships to rising college freshmen. The program will conclude in 2029 with an expected total of 84 students awarded.Panda Cares UNCF Scholars Program
Food diversity often brings an awareness that people from all backgrounds are part of our national fabric. Delicious dishes from national restauranteur Panda Express not only make the U.S. richer for its unique spin on Asian cuisine, but the yen Americans have for great Chinese meals helps The Panda Cares Foundation invest in education. Panda Cares is the philanthropic arm of Panda Restaurant Group, and its mission is to assist with health and education in communities that have Panda Express restaurants. In June 2018, Panda Cares partnered with UNCF to form the Panda Cares UNCF Scholars Program, worth approximately $5.14 million. The foundation expanded its mission to include higher education and launch its support of UNCF. The program’s $2,500-per-year scholarship feeds students’ academic success, offers professional development services and helps students enter their chosen career field. The partnership provides 400 students annually with scholarships, support and career navigation services.Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Scholarship
One of the men recognized as a pioneer for African American rights is the legendary Frederick Douglass, an author, abolitionist, statesman and escaped slave. To honor and commemorate the 2018 bicentennial of the birth of Frederick Douglass, a scholarship program was established in support of students attending accredited HBCUs nationwide. The Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Scholarship Program was established by Tony Signore, whose knowledge, respect and deep admiration for Douglass was instilled in him more than 35 years ago by the Jesuits at Fordham University. To honor Douglass, the Signore family designed and funded the 20-year program to recognize the historic leader. “It’s an incredible honor and privilege for our family to celebrate the life of a true American hero,” said Signore, founder and chairman of the Frederick Douglass Bicentennial Scholarship. “On the 200th anniversary of his birth, it is with great reverence that we reflect upon the legacy of a great man and leader, who had such a profound impact on our nation’s history. We also understand the importance and responsibility of supporting HBCU scholars who demonstrate their passion for education.” New and unique scholarship programs like these three help us all answer the call for workers that can thrive in a 21st century job market and economy. There was a time when a high school diploma and a strong work ethic were enough to qualify for the kinds of jobs that could support families and thriving communities. Not anymore. Today, however, the best-paying and fastest growing jobs and career paths require at least a college degree. For the students who are awarded a UNCF scholarship, the money is a down payment toward major success. New programs like these are an investment in better futures for Black students and, through their success, for all of us. Graduating students are the return on that investment. They are our dividends.INNOVATE
Making a Path for STEM: The Fund II Foundation Continues to Invest in Talented Students
INNOVATE
UNCF K-12 Advocacy, working to ensure A Seat at the Table
- Slightly more than one-third of African American youth felt race may limit their opportunities in life.
- Nearly half of youth reported being placed in detention at some point in their education.
- 35% of African American youth indicated that having more engaging teachers would improve their high schools.
INNOVATE
Changing of the Guard: Learning and Leading A New Group of Presidents Taking Over UNCF-Member HBCUs

Dr. A. Zachary Faison, Jr., President, Edward Waters College
INSPIRE
#STANDWITHBENNETT and Deliver: Strength Through Numbers Saved Bennett College When it was Most Needed
INSPIRE
More Women Presidents Leading Member HBCUs

(From left to right) Dr. Phyllis Worthy Dawkins, Bennett College; Dr. Colette Pierce Burnette, Huston-Tillotson University; Dr. Roslyn Clark Artis, Benedict College; Dr. Paulette Dillard, Shaw University; Dr. Beverly Wade Hogan, Tougaloo College; Dr. Cynthia Warrick, Stillman College; Dr. Dorothy Cowser Yancy, past President, Johnson C. Smith University and Shaw University; and Dr. Andrea Lewis Miller, LeMoyne-Owen College; (in front) Dr. Lily McNair, Tuskegee University
- Roslyn Clark Artis, Benedict College
- Phyllis Worthy Dawkins, Bennett College
- Colette Pierce Burnette, Huston-Tillotson University
- Andrea Lewis Miller, LeMoyne-Owen College
- Paulette R. Dillard, Shaw University
- Mary Schmidt Campbell, Spelman College
- Cynthia Warrick, Stillman College
- Beverly Wade Hogan, Tougaloo College
- Lily D. McNair, Tuskegee University
INSPIRE
Senator Doug Jones: A Friend, Champion and Hero of HBCUs

Sen. Doug Jones with Dr. Lily D. McNair, president of Tuskegee University
INSPIRE
A “Moses” Among HBCU Leaders: Dr. Billy C. Hawkins

Dr. Billy Hawkins talks to students on the Talladega College campus.
INSPIRE
“My Friends, My Friends”: Oswald P. Bronson, a Beacon of Light at Bethune-Cookman
INVEST
UNCF HBCU ‘Funding Evangelists’ Secure More Than $100 Million for HBCUs
INVEST
The Enduring Power of Partnership: AKA and UNCF

A POWERFUL INVESTMENT IN BETTER FUTURES®
INVEST
Volunteering to Make a Difference: Top Ladies of Distinction Lending a Distinctive Touch to Workplace Fundraising

Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., is proud to work with UNCF on its workplace initiative.

INVEST
Five Fundraisers in Five States Across Two Nights—Fueling UNCF’s Work, Rapid-Fire

Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds performs at the 2019 New Orleans UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball