Grants & Technical Assistance
HBCU Brilliance Initiative
As a reflection of the Reinvestment Fund mission, the vision for the HBCU Brilliance Initiative (hereafter referred to as the “Brilliance Initiative”) is to establish a groundbreaking platform that will play a pivotal role in supporting HBCUs across the nation. We envision a future where all Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are community anchors and flourishing centers of academic excellence, innovation, and cultural pride. We are committed to a reality for HBCUs where financial barriers no longer hinder institutional growth and impact.
Since 2018, Reinvestment Fund has loaned more than $50 million to HBCUs to support the financial health of these institutions and fund capital projects.
The Brilliance Initiative is structured to resource HBCUs with knowledge, loan capital and credit enhancement, while building the capacity of HBCUs to attract and retain permanent assets that promote sustainable institutional prosperity. The Brilliance Initiative also aims to help HBCUs build their networks, policy advocacy and research to enhance the relationship between HBCUs and the communities in which they reside.
The Brilliance Initiative is deeply rooted in the belief that HBCUs are invaluable institutions that have played a critical role in shaping the academic, cultural, and social fabric of our society.
By focusing on providing targeted financial support, we aim to elevate HBCUs to new heights, enabling them to continue their legacy of producing exceptional leaders, scholars, and changemakers who positively impact their communities and the world.
Activities and Strategies
Financial Support
The Brilliance Initiative provides debt capital solutions as well as technical assistance. Our primary focus areas for our lending capital are:
- Infrastructure improvements
- Balance sheet restructuring
- New real estate development
- Increased access to capital
Learning and Training
The Brilliance Initiative facilitates learning and training for HBCU constituencies across the country. The goal is to provide turn-key and accessible opportunities for institutions to acquire knowledge and greater understanding of practical application to implement advanced best practices and execute complex new strategies.
Capacity Building
The Brilliance Initiative offers technical assistance and grant opportunities to strengthen the administrative, financial, and institutional capacity of HBCUs through our inaugural Cohort program.
Advocacy and Research
The Brilliance Initiative is engaging in policy advocacy, research initiatives, and community outreach to promote the interests of HBCUs and foster meaningful connections between HBCUs and their communities.
The Brilliance Initiative Cohort
The HBCU Brilliance Initiative Cohort offers institutional development resources and flexible financing options. The first-of-its-kind program combines grants and technical assistance for 11 HBCU institutions nationwide.
Principles
Equity
The Brilliance Initiative shall operate on principles of equity, aiming to address historical disparities and promote inclusive opportunities for HBCU students and communities.
Empowerment
The Brilliance Initiative seeks to empower HBCUs by providing them with loan capital, credit enhancement, capacity-building resources, and networks necessary to attract and retain permanent capital. Based on the schools Reinvestment Fund has financed to date, we expect the student population served will be >70% Pell Grant recipients and majority first-generation college students.
Collaboration
The Brilliance Initiative shall foster collaboration among HBCUs, community stakeholders, policymakers, and researchers to advance advocacy efforts, research initiatives, and community development strategies.