Philanthropy Front and Center-Cleveland

Hard Times on Historically Black Campuses

The New York Times ran an interesting article (registration required) a couple of weeks ago about the effect of the economy on black campuses. The article talks specifically about some of the hardships being faced by historically black institutions in Atlanta. Clark Atlanta University laid off 70 faculty members and 30 staff members in February 2009 as well as canceling physical education classes. Spelman College, among the wealthiest and most prestigious historically black colleges, eliminated 35 staff positions after a decline in enrollment precipitated a projected $48 million deficit next year. Morris Brown College just paid off the majority of a $200,000 water bill and averted having its water shut off.

This makes me wonder how Ohio's historically black colleges are doing: Central State University and Wilberforce University?

Although colleges and universities all over the U.S. are looking at shrinking endowments, decreasing giving and government cutbacks, historically black institutions have two major disadvantages during hard economic times. They typically have smaller endowments requiring heavier reliance on tuition and fees. They also have a higher proportion of disadvantaged students who are now facing their own credit crunch when they apply for loans.

According to Dr. Michael Lomax, president of the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), the amount UNCF has collected for scholarships was down 10 percent in 2008, while the number of applications increased 26 percent. UNCF provides operating funds for its 39 member colleges (including Wilberforce University), all of them small, liberal arts institutions; administers 300 scholarship and internship programs; and serves as a national advocate for the importance of minority higher education. They've set up an Emergency Student Aid funding appeal.

For information about searching for financial aid for education, see our tutorial Finding Foundation Support for Your Education (registration required) or our section of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) concerning financial aid. 

(Originally posted by Kayron Bearden, Reference Librarian, Foundation Center-Atlanta, in Philanthropy Front and Center-Atlanta)

What Do You Think? Fundraising and the New 10-year Plan for Higher Ed in Ohio

Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Eric D. Fingerhut's Strategic Plan for Higher Education, 2008-2017, released March 31st, calls for new levels of accountability among Ohio's publicly funded institutions of higher education. One of the measures the Chancellor calls for in order to determine the quality of Ohio's university system is to increase the total size of endowments and foundations per full-time student equivalent (FTE) from the current level of $10,573 per FTE to $21,146 per FTE by 2017. I am no mathematician, but that sounds like a simple doubling of the current level over the next ten years. 

In addition to requiring biennial documenting and submitting "estimated growth in endowments, private fundraising and other non-public revenue sources" the plan outlines a bigger role the state could play in helping campuses raise new dollars.  Pointing to things such as the transfer of wealth, the state holds up challenge and matching grants as a way to incentivize stepped-up fundraising among the state's universities; as a way to leverage existing financial programs; and ultimately, as a way to tap into the deep generosity of the public as the transfer of wealth takes place.  Early fundraising programs have shown success.

I'd be interested in hearing any predictions you might have about the new plan and the things it involves, particularly the fundraising angle that it includes.  As for my predictions?  I have one. We'll see some growth in the number and types of fundraising jobs supported within institutions of higher education throughout Ohio. So, if you're interested in this field, brush up your resume!

--Cindy Bailie