From November 2025 through July 2026, Reinvestment Fund supported 10 HBCUs through the inaugural cohort of the HBCU Brilliance Initiative. The cohort was designed to strengthen institutional capacity, advance strategic priorities, and help participating institutions plan for long-term financial and operational sustainability. Each institution received a $40,000 grant, representing a total investment of $400,000 in grant funding. These flexible resources supported institutional priorities, including predevelopment activities, campus infrastructure planning, real estate development, and other projects intended to strengthen institutional sustainability.
In addition to grant funding, participating institutions received specialized technical assistance in financial management, organizational strategy, leadership development, real estate and capital planning, policy research, and institutional effectiveness. Through this combination of resources and expertise, the cohort helped participating institutions advance planning priorities, strengthen institutional capacity, and identify opportunities for continued development.
The inaugural cohort includes the following institutions and presidents:
Throughout the inaugural cohort, participating institutions engaged in a series of technical assistance sessions, leadership discussions, and peer-learning opportunities designed to strengthen institutional capacity and support project development. Activities included an in-person convening at Fort Valley State University in January 2026, monthly learning sessions, individualized technical assistance, and opportunities for institutional leaders to exchange experiences and insights. Cohort engagement also extended to UNCF UNITE, HBCU Legacy Week on Martha’s Vineyard, and the Student Freedom Initiative Reception providing additional opportunities for networking, collaboration, and engagement with the broader HBCU community.
Reinvestment Fund collaborated with external technical assistance providers and drew on its internal Lending and Policy Solutions expertise to support institutional priorities. These engagements addressed financial management, organizational effectiveness, leadership, real estate development, capital readiness, and community-informed planning. The cohort also provided opportunities for institutional leaders to strengthen relationships, share approaches to common challenges, and consider strategies for advancing institutional priorities beyond the cohort period.
The inaugural cohort was made possible through philanthropic support from ECMC, Capital One, The Kresge Foundation and the contributions of technical assistance partners, including BDO, Decatur Capital Management, The KNGDM Group, RADCO, and The Ladipo Group. Reinvestment Fund’s Lending and Policy Solutions teams also contributed specialized expertise to support participating institutions. Together, these partners provided financial, organizational, leadership, and development expertise to support the cohort’s institutional capacity-building goals.
You can email HBCUBrilliance@reinvestment.com or contact below.