Giving Compass' Take:

• An article at ForexTV emphasizes the importance of donors who've helped fund the critical success of HBCUs and their students.

• Why are contributions to Historically Black Colleges and Universities so important? How might systemic racism within education inhibit the success of HBCUs and their students? What are you doing to support these students during COVID-19?

• Read about how and why small businesses should better support HBCUs and their students.

More than 60,000 students attend college each year thanks to the help of donations big and small, many of them made through UNCF (United Negro College Fund) Workplace Giving campaign contributions. To recognize the special contribution of those giving through their payroll and office campaigns, UNCF is throwing its very first-ever virtual party to thank its workplace donors. The online event will thank corporate, federal, state, local and individual workplace supporters for their financial contributions given to help HBCUs and their students—gifts whose impact can make a major difference now more than ever.

“Over the years, workplace giving contributions have grown, becoming ever more impactful and making it possible to help not just our member schools, but also our students with books, tuition and emergency trips home,” said Fred Mitchell, UNCF vice president of development.

Each year, the Workplace Giving campaign allows thousands of people throughout corporate and government workplaces to support UNCF’s mission of transforming lives. One of the most convenient ways are payroll contributions, where employers offer the opportunity to donate directly from their paychecks. By designating UNCF as the charity of their choice, a few dollars each week can provide a semester of assistance, while $50 can help a student with room and board for an entire year.

Support is needed now more than ever as students and institutions are faced with challenges including COVID-19 and racial disparities. A recent UNCF survey of more than 5,000 students across 17 HBCUs found that many are dealing with difficulties such as sick family members, trouble paying bills and general stress from the ongoing pandemic and recent protests against police brutality.

Read the full article about supporting HBCUs and their students at ForexTV.