Historically Black College & University (HBCU)

After more than 150 years, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) remain misunderstood, underserved, and discounted. HBCUs play an indispensable role in providing higher educational opportunities to thousands of Black people, many of whom are first-generation college students.

Reinvestment Fund’s HBCU Brilliance Initiative is building a future where all HBCUs are community anchors and flourishing centers of academic excellence, innovation, and cultural pride.

Founded in response to America’s extreme segregationist education practices, HBCUs have always been beacons of the arts, politics, innovation and civic engagement for Black communities. Despite bipartisan support for HBCUs, these institutions are woefully underfunded.

As part of Reinvestment Fund’s mission to build equitable communities, we are committed to serving the needs of HBCUs that support Black students and the communities surrounding the schools. Since 2018, Reinvestment Fund has loaned more than $50 million to HBCUs to support the financial health of these institutions and fund capital projects through the HBCU Brilliance Initiative.

We are committed to a reality for HBCUs where financial barriers no longer hinder institutional growth and impact.