The United Negro College Fund (UNCF), Inc.

Since its founding in 1944, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) has raised more than $6 billion to send more than 500,000 students to college and receive college degrees. At a time when college is more important - and more expensive than ever, for both students and the economy, UNCF annually awards more than 14,000 scholarships worth about $64 million.  UNCF supports more than 50,000 students at over 1,100 colleges and universities across the country that includes our 37-member historically Black colleges universities (HBCUs).

"A mind is a terrible thing to waste". For decades, this galvanizing principle has remained at the heart of the UNCF ideal. And now, more than ever, a mind is also "A wonderful thing to invest in." Higher education is critical to ensuring better futures for our nation's youth-capable of unlocking doors to infinite opportunities for success. Additionally, college completion rates have a direct impact on the strength of the nation's economy and future workforce. Yet, paying for college is often the greatest barrier to obtaining higher education, especially students from low- to moderate-income families. More than sixty percent (60%) of the students who benefit from UNCF scholarships and programs come from families with annual incomes below $30,000. Low-income students deserve and need to contribute their talents to society, but they are finding it more difficult to get the education and skills they need and the nation needs them to have.