Annual Report 2022

Telling our Truth, Acknowledging our Wins and Blazing our Path Forward

Thanks to strong donor support and the dedicated UNCF team, we continued to deliver on our unwavering mission—building a robust and nationally recognized pipeline of African American students that help them become highly qualified graduates and leaders in our society. Despite the challenges facing our students and HBCUs in FY 2022, thanks to you, our loyal supporters, partners and donors, UNCF remains steadfast. This annual report highlights several of the amazing accomplishments we have achieved with your help.

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Milton H. Jones, Jr.
Board Chair, UNCF

Michael L. Lomax, Ph.D.
President and CEO UNCF

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Impact

“Target has proudly worked with UNCF and HBCUs for years, and we’re excited to deepen our partnership and support to make college more affordable for the next generation of Black talent.”
— Ron Brown, vice president of community impact, Target

A Man on a Mission

A Man on a Mission Dr. George T. French, Jr.: A Man on a Mission

When much of the world shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic, CAU’s president kept his focus.

UNCF—More Historic Progress a Persistent Advocate for HBCUs

UNCF has long been at the forefront of advocating for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

Illustration of people standing on street conversing

Drawing National Attention: UNCF Research Confirms HBCUs are a Solid Investment

One of the major media stories of FY 2022 in Black higher education appeared in the Wall Street Journal following a report issued by UNCF’s Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute (FDPRI) on the social mobility of Black students attending historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs).

More than

50k

students attend UNCF-member HBCUs for the education they need and deserve

Jan Collins Eaglin Of The Steve Fund With Uncf Icb’s Victoria Smith, Esq.

UNCF Partners with The Steve Fund to Support the Mental Health and Wellness of Black College Students

The continuing COVID-19 pandemic and heightened racial tensions in FY 2022 intensified the urgency of increasing the reach and impact of mental health programming to support the mental health and well-being of students, faculty and staff at HBCUs and predominantly Black institutions (PBIs).

UNCF’s Target Scholars Program Supporting the Next Generation of Black Talent

The continuing COVID-19 pandemic and heightened racial tensions in FY 2022 intensified the urgency to increase the reach and impact of mental health programming to support the well-being of students, faculty and staff at HBCUs and predominantly Black institutions (PBIs).

How We Make a Difference

$ M+

in scholarships is awarded annually

Our Reach is Far and Wide

Member Colleges Scholarships Fundraising Events Local Offices

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US Map showing UNCF Member College Locations

37

Historically Black colleges and universities belong to the UNCF network of member institutions. UNCF provides these colleges and universities with a range of support that enables them to keep their academic programs strong and their tuitions affordable.

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10,837

Students received scholarships during fiscal year 2022 across the United States from UNCF.

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71

Fundraising events were conducted during fiscal year 2022 to help UNCF support its mission of getting as many students to and through college as possible.

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US Map showing locations of UNCF local offices

23

UNCF local offices are located throughout the United States, which help provide organizational fundraising support, mission awareness and HBCU representation in local communities across the country.

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Innovate

“African Americans make up less than 2% of all asset management roles in our country. We need to do better. We will never eliminate the wealth gap for African Americans unless we have more professionals in the industry that can positively impact their communities.”
— Keon Holmes, CFA, managing director, Cambridge Associates; co-chair, New England UNCF Leadership Council

Changing Lives

The Motor City Delivers Virtually in 2021

How do you make a huge difference for students in need despite a raging health pandemic that makes in-person events impossible? Just ask the residents of Detroit.

Detroit Walk for Education Banner showing virtual event screenshot

UNCF invests in students by providing

7,000+

scholarships every year

Another Exceptional Year: UNCF's Direct Response Fundraising Program Charges Ahead

During fiscal year 2022, UNCF's direct response program again showed its extraordinary fundraising power and resilience by generating $16 million in revenues through its direct mail and online engines.

“Imparting Wisdom”—and Extending Lessons from HBCUs to K-12 Schools in Indianapolis

Following its recent report, Imparting Wisdom, UNCF’s K-12 Advocacy team has been working to take lessons learned from the HBCU community about how to improve education for Black students and share them with K-12 schools across the United States.

UNCF Lighting Pathways: Inspiring HBCU Students to Achieve Better Futures in Asset Management

During FY 2022, UNCF hosted a summit to increase the number of African Americans in asset management.

National Faith and Education Initiative Advisory Council

The UNCF National Faith and Education Initiative: Fanning the Flame that Started it All

Harkening back to the African American church and the community’s historical roots in the creation of historically Black colleges and universities, UNCF revamped and reignited its focus during FY 2022 for its months-long local faith fundraising campaign—UNCF Sunday—bringing awareness to what really started it all for the organization: the church. 

Inspire

“Given current attacks on our democracy and everything else that is going on in our society, we are hopeful that organizations like UNCF can make a difference and change perceptions about racial and economic equality.”
— Sally Davenport, legacy donor

Understanding Why HBCUs

A Fireside Chat with NBA All-Star and HBCU Supporter Chris Paul

Chris Paul, nicknamed “CP3” and “The Point God,” is widely regarded as one of the greatest basketball point guards of all time. A 12-time NBA All-Star and two-time Olympic gold medalist, the Phoenix Suns guard, was named to the NBA’s 75th Anniversary team as one of the 75 greatest players in NBA history.

Look out America! Here comes Aspiring Journalist Caylin Carter

“The excitement I received from producing a body of work was like no other, and that’s how I knew the world of media was for me.”

HBCUs produce

16%

of all African American college graduates

John and Sally Davenport: Legacy UNCF Donors Investing in HBCUs to Achieve a Better Future for America

For John and Sally Davenport, supporting UNCF and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) is not merely the right thing to do.

UNCF National Virtual Walk for Education® Raises $2.3M+ for HBCUs

For the second consecutive year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, UNCF celebrated the National Virtual Walk for Education fundraiser online on Sept. 18, 2021.

Volunteers Leading the way to Champion UNCF and HBCU Missions

It’s that spirit of volunteerism that has helped fuel the success of UNCF since its founding in 1944.

Invest

“We have all heard the saying, ‘Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you react to it.’ My 90% involves graduating valedictorian of my high school class and making the decision to attend Edward Waters University on a full scholarship as a first-generation college student. During my tenure, so far, at Edward Waters University, I serve as freshman class president, I am a presidential scholar and an honors college scholar. And this is just the beginning for me.”
— Davon Davis, freshman, Edward Waters University

Donating While You Shop

Burlington Raised More than $2M from its Customers for UNCF

Burlington Stores, the national retailer that delivers amazing value to customers every time they shop, joined UNCF in partnership in FY 2022 to raise more than $2 million for students of color to further their educations.

Burlington Graphic From UNCF Annual Report

UNCF.org serves more than

1.6M

visitors each year

Through “Black History, Black Brilliance,” Macy’s Raises nearly $1.4M for Scholarships

Black History Month in FY 2022 was a special time of the year for UNCF. Through a unique campaign—“Black History, Black Brilliance”—Macy’s galvanized its communities through in-store and online charitable efforts, putting UNCF a major focus for its customers across the United States.

UNCF and Edward Waters University host Inaugural Jacksonville Mayor’s Masked Ball

Making a significant impact during FY 2022—especially for a first-time fundraising event—UNCF hosted the inaugural Jacksonville Mayor’s Masked Ball.

Portrait of four men in suits seated and smiling

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Contributes $3M to Fund Scholarships for Black Students

Faith and justice are inextricably linked. A profession of faith calls for compassion and a willingness to speak up against injustice.

“For 78 years, at UNCF, we have worked with our Black colleges, raised more than $5 billion to support them and their students, helped over 500,000 students earn college degrees. And, every day we have reaffirmed the truth and wisdom of our motto that is the foundation of all that we do: ‘A mind is a terrible thing to waste, but a wonderful thing to invest in.’”
— Dr. Michael L. Lomax, President and CEO, UNCF

Financial Highlights

Charitable Income

Assets and Liabilities

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Officers and Directors

The men and women who guide the actions of the organization are a diverse group of people, and with their help, the organization ensures as many students as possible make it to and through college successfully.

MEET THE BOARD

Our Mission

UNCF envisions a nation where all Americans have equal access to 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.

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