UNCF facts for kids

UNCF, the United Negro College Fund, also known as the United Fund, is an American charity organization that funds scholarships for black students and general scholarship funds for 37 private historically black colleges and universities. UNCF was created on April 25, 1944 by Frederick D. Patterson (then president of what is now Tuskegee University), Mary McLeod Bethune, and others. UNCF is headquartered at 1805 7th Street, NW in Washington, D.C. In 2005, UNCF supported almost 65,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities with about $113 million in grants and scholarships. About 60% of these students are the first in their families to attend college. About 62% have annual family incomes of less than $25,000. UNCF also runs over 450 named scholarships.

UNCF's president and chief executive officer is Michael Lomax. Past presidents of the UNCF included William H. Gray (Pennsylvania politician) and Vernon Jordan.