United Negro College Fund United Negro College Fund UNCF is the nation's largest and most effective minority education organization. Since its founding in 1944, UNCF has raised more than $4.5 billion to help more than 400,000 students receive college degrees at UNCF-member institutions and with UNCF scholarships. UNCF plays a critical role in enabling more than 60,000 students each year to attend college and get the education they need and that the nation needs them to have by: Awarding 10,000 scholarships and internships under 400 programs for students from low- and moderate-income families to attend more than 1,100 institutions and universities across the country; Providing financial support for its 37 member historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) for scholarships and capacity building; Advocating nationally for the importance of education and college readiness through its annual television program, a national public service announcement campaign, and commentary in national media; Advocating locally at events across the country such as Governor’s and Mayor’s luncheons, Walk for Education events and Mayor’s Masked Balls. UNCF’s Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute issues studies that improve understanding of the issues that face minority education and points the way to solutions. UNCF’s Institute for Capacity Building, a unique institutional improvement initiative, helps member colleges and universities become stronger and more self-sustaining in areas that can make the difference between success and struggle such as curriculum and faculty enhancement, student recruitment and retention and fundraising. 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 under-represented 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 practice 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 students are enrolling and persisting through college completion; Building awareness of educational attainment and cultivating college-going behaviors within the African American community.