Addressing Funding Disparities for Public and Private HBCUs

WHEREAS, Public and private Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have played a critical role in providing higher education to African-American students for over 150 years; and

WHEREAS, HBCUs have been instrumental in promoting diversity, equal opportunity, and social justice in America and also contribute to the nation's economic growth and social welfare by conducting research, providing services, and creating jobs; and

WHEREAS, HBCUs have graduated many prominent figures in politics, business, science, arts, and social justice, such as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Oprah Winfrey, Thurgood Marshall, Toni Morrison, and Kamala Harris; and

WHEREAS, HBCUs have been suffering from funding disparities for decades, limiting their potential to fulfill their mission and serve their students effectively and face the same challenges and expenses as other colleges and universities, but with fewer resources due to systemic racism and discrimination; and

WHEREAS, Private HBCUs rely heavily on tuition revenue and have fewer options for financial support than non-HBCUs; and

WHEREAS, federal funding per student has decreased significantly since 2003, particularly impacting HBCU students, while HBCU endowments lag substantially behind those of non- HBCUs by at least 70 percent; and

WHEREAS, HBCUs deserve fair and adequate funding from federal, state, and local sources to continue their legacy and impact on the African-American community and society at large; and

WHEREAS, HBCUs are crucial institutions for African-American students and their contributions to American society are immeasurable, and funding disparities for HBCUs must be addressed urgently to ensure the long-term sustainability and success of these institutions; and

WHEREAS, HBCUs should be able to leverage both previous, current, and future inventions and resulting patents to create more funding streams in service of the institution in order to close financial gaps between HBCUs and other institutions; and

WHEREAS, public and private entities; including but not limited to not-for-profits, foundations, federal agencies, and other organizations; should invest in the financial sustainability of HBCUs through developing partnerships, specific grant competitions, and other non and discretionary funding mechanisms.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) reaffirms is 1996 resolution, Survival of Historical Black Colleges and Universities, urges government officials at all levels to prioritize funding for HBCUs that are underfunded or facing financial troubles.

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the NAACP calls upon federal private donors and philanthropic organizations to invest in HBCUs, acknowledging the unique and valuable role these institutions play in promoting educational equity and social progress, and further appeals to all individuals and institutions committed to social justice and equality, including all NAACP units, to join forces in supporting HBCUs and securing their future.