Institutional Advancement

Launched in summer 2006, the HBCU Institutional Advancement Program (IAP) will enhance the advancement capacity of UNCF member institutions with particular emphasis on increasing alumni and trustee giving. Modeled after the successful Kresge HBCU Initiative, IAP will provide ten UNCF member institutions with multi-year grant support of at least $600,000, technical assistance and professional development aid to strengthen their institutional advancement programs.

In addition, UNCF will host an annual fundraising training conference—the Advancement Learning Institute—to further advance the fundraising and leadership skills of advancement professionals at all private and public four-year HBCUs nationwide. The Institute will focus on the special challenges facing HBCUs in building successful advancement programs, including issues related to leadership, alumni giving and fundraising. Further, UNCF will sponsor an annual African American Donor’s Reception to honor HBCU alumni who have made generous gifts to their alma maters. The first Institute will be held in November 2007.

Ultimately, the HBCU Institutional Advancement Program will help to increase giving, ensure access to state-of-the-art technology for effective and efficient management of advancement functions, support and expand the field of HBCU development professionals and strengthen HBCU leadership as it pertains to institutional advancement and development functions.