Vision

Serving as a portal between the visions of minority institutions and the funding priorities of our nation, we will be the premier provider of professional, world-class quality educational and innovative capacity-building programs.

Mission

Our mission is to “organize and deliver educational support services” such as capacity building, technical assistance and workforce development programs to Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) of higher education.  Federal agencies including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Library of Medicine, Corporation for National and Community Service, U.S. Agency for International Development, and U.S. Departments of Education, Defense, Energy, Justice and Interior have funded programs that have reached constituents both nationally and internationally.  These programs address education and research infrastructure; public and community health; international affairs and development; civic engagement and community service; policy analysis; and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics competency.

History & Mandate

Born from the long-standing traditions of the United Negro College Fund, Inc., UNCFSP was established on April 1, 2000 as an independent 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization with the broad mandate of supporting all Minority Serving Institutions, both domestic and international, including:

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs)
Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs)
Other Minority Institutions (OMIs)
Since its inception, UNCFSP has built an extensive partnership network consisting of hundreds of domestic and international universities, federal agencies, international governments, non-governmental organizations, community-based and faith-based organizations, professional organizations, and private industry.  Through our programs and partnerships, we serve as a gateway to opportunities that strengthen institutions, faculty, and students in the areas of research, workforce development, and infrastructure development.

Our Philosophy

OUR PHILOSOPHY: EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE AND ADVANCEMENT

At UNCFSP, we are creating opportunities today for the leaders of tomorrow through the promotion of minorities’ full participation in the nation’s education and research agenda. We recognize that our nation needs a robust, skilled, diverse, human capital pool to maintain and advance the world’s most productive economy. Our response has been to develop and administer programs that address the needs of all stakeholders: institutions, faculty, and students.  Capacity-building programs in the form of training, technical assistance, and infrastructure and curriculum development enhance degree programs and strengthen the institutions. Leadership-building programs in the form of fellowships, internships, and other professional development activities for students and faculty increase skill sets and expertise. Both types of programs ultimately contribute to a strengthened American workforce.

Our Approach

OUR APPROACH: INNOVATIVE PARTNERSHIPS AND LINKAGES

UNCFSP has built an extensive partnership network of domestic and international universities, federal agencies, international governments, non-governmental organizations, community-based and faith-based organizations, professional organizations, and private industry.  We firmly believe that to be competitive and successful, Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) must also establish strategic partnerships that will leverage their strengths.  We are helping our institutions to compete for federal grants and contracts by using our partnership network to build consortia, advocate for the inclusion of our institutions in grants and contracting opportunities, and establish mutually beneficial partnerships.  Collectively, UNCFSP and MSIs will be a major force in advancing the nation’s workforce and research agenda.