Funding for Equity

HBCU Funding Matters: A Call to Action for Students and Alumni

The Campaign

In the face of federal funding threats and policy shifts by the Trump administration, the Our HBCUs Matter Foundation, led by founder and CEO Brandon Graham, has launched the HBCU Funding Matters campaign. The campaign is focused on securing funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) while also preventing future funding freezes or cuts and raising awareness about HBCUs’ critical role in higher education and economic development.

The Threats

HBCUs have often been vulnerable to shifting political priorities. Under the current Trump administration, executive orders have paused or canceled federal grants and equity-focused programs, disrupting essential funding streams. According to Graham, "The campaign directly addresses several specific threats to HBCU funding. The executive order to pause federal grants and financial aid programs has already disrupted programs like Title III funding, the 1890 Land-Grant Scholars Program, TRIO, GEAR UP, and Perkins CTE grants." While an injunction temporarily restored some funding, the risk of future cuts remains high, jeopardizing the economic stability of HBCUs and other colleges and universities.

The Impact

History has shown how interruptions in federal funding disproportionately affect HBCUs, leading to declining enrollment, staff layoffs, and stunted institutional growth. "Without immediate action, these funding threats will exacerbate inequities in higher education, weaken career preparation for HBCU graduates, and undermine the economic contributions of these institutions."

The Solution

The HBCU Funding Matters campaign uses various tools to push for policy change, including digital advocacy, grassroots organizing, and partnerships. One of its key tools is the HBCU Action Map, which makes it simple for students, alumni, and supporters to contact their U.S. Senators and Representatives directly, urging them to protect HBCU funding.

Partnerships and Collaborations

The campaign has partnered with organizations like Google, Black Voters Matter, the NAACP, the Legal Defense Fund, and various HBCU alumni associations to increase public engagement and push for long-term legislative protections. These partnerships aim to mobilize students, alumni, and communities to take action and support HBCU funding.

Conclusion

The HBCU Funding Matters campaign is a call to action for students, alumni, policymakers, and corporate sponsors to support the fight for HBCU funding. Success will be measured through policy wins, such as the reinstatement of key federal grants and scholarship programs, securing long-term legislative protections for HBCU funding, and increased public engagement.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the HBCU Funding Matters campaign?
  The HBCU Funding Matters campaign is a initiative launched by the Our HBCUs Matter Foundation to secure funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and prevent future funding freezes or cuts.
• What are the goals of the campaign?
  The campaign aims to secure funding for HBCUs, prevent future funding freezes or cuts, and raise awareness about HBCUs’ critical role in higher education and economic development.
• Who is leading the campaign?
  The campaign is led by Brandon Graham, founder and CEO of My HBCU Matters.
• How can I get involved?
  You can get involved by using the HBCU Action Map to contact your U.S. Senators and Representatives, supporting the campaign through social media, and partnering with HBCU alumni associations and organizations.