Category Archives: Philanthropy

The HBCU Endowment Feature – Grambling State University

Posted on April 15, 2013 by | Leave a comment

grambling_state_university

School Name: Grambling State University

Median Cost of Attendance: $17 894

Undergraduate Population: 5 277

Endowment Needed: $1 888 532 800

Analysis: Grambling State University needs approximately a $1.9 billion endowment for all of its undergraduates to attend debt free annually. Grambling also affectionately known as “The House That Eddie Built” referring to Eddie Robinson, Sr. who was the legendary football coach that in many ways put Grambling State University on the map. There is no accurate source to know just what GSU’s current endowment is but it is safe to say by best guess estimates it is smaller than its in-state arch rival. A frightening prospect when one considers just the shape its arch rival is in although for different reasons. Grambling has one of the most loyal alumni in HBCU nation but it is not translating into consistent giving. There is some sense that Grambling has never quite had an academic niche. That it was prominently known for and at times seems to be in the jack of all trades and master of none box. This can work to their advantage if a strategy is developed around it, but right now it feels more like a ship at sea with no destination. It is geographically located in a great area to develop its graduate school. Located in the northern part of Louisiana, it has above average access to three states which it could heavily recruit in for graduate talent. It is there they could create higher quality donors. It faces a major obstacle in the politics of Louisiana seem intent on dismantling HBCUs. Primarily, this comes in the form of current governor Bobby Jindal and while Louisiana trails in almost every major educational category in the nation, the governor continues to find cuts. Particular those cuts are coming at the expense of African Americans. A joint political strategy between Grambling State University and Southern University to elect a governor that is more HBCU friendly could go a long way, but in order to do that each must first get its economic house in order. Demographics suggest that Grambling State University could be a $50 million endowment without blinking. Whether or not leadership can formulate a unique plan that entices the purse strings of its rabid alumni over the next 5-10 years remains to be seen. Grambling’s importance in northern Louisiana to the strategic development of HBCUs can not be understated. The eye of the tiger must find 20/20 focus or be endangered of going blind.

As always it should be noted that endowments provide a myriad of subsidies to the university for everything from scholarship, faculty & administration salaries, research, and much more.

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The HBCU Endowment Feature – Shaw University

Posted on April 8, 2013 by | Leave a comment

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School Name: Shaw University

Median Cost of Attendance: $22,258

Undergraduate Population: 2,265

Endowment Needed: $1.1 Billion

Analysis: Shaw University needs approximately $1 billion for all of its undergraduates to attend debt free annually. A media darling among HBCU circles over the past five years as its athletic program grabbed the spotlight in both football and basketball. It culminated with a Division II national championship for the women’s basketball team. Traditionally, athletic achievements have spurred alumni giving but it is still too early to tell if Shaw’s success will translate into significant donations for the Univesity. The school boast a healthy science tradition that if nurturted over the next ten to twenty years could produce significantly high quality donors based on the economy shifting towards a major healthcare boom thanks to the baby boomer generation’s looming retirement. This could provide a significant increase to their endowment over the coming generation. Shaw University has a limited graduate studies program and unless it has plans for expansion in that area it will need to see its undergraduate increase significantly in size. Geographically, the university is located in Raleigh, the heart of North Carolina’s Research Triangle, and lends itself a great opportunity for quality academic and economic recruitment. Raleigh is home to four community colleges and ten four year colleges (including Shaw) so recruitment is fierce. One thing is for sure though if Shaw University continues to find ways into the media spotlight through its balanced approach of bio-academic and athletic achievements it will be an endowment with the potential to make waves in the coming decades.

As always it should be noted that endowments provide a myriad of subsidies to the university for everything from scholarship, faculty & administration salaries, research, and much more.

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The HBCU Endowment Feature – Florida A&M University

Posted on April 1, 2013 by | Leave a comment

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School Name: Florida A&M University

Median Cost of Attendance: $25 888

Undergraduate Population: 11 180

Endowment Needed: $5 788 556 800

Analysis: Florida A&M University needs approximately a $5.8 billion endowment for all of its undergraduates to attend debt free annually. Its current endowment is approximately 1.7 percent of its endowment needed. One of the most intriguing HBCUs given its size. It is one of the larger HBCU undergraduates in terms of sheer number and does an excellent job of creating loyalty from its graduates which arguably means its endowment should be larger. There are some that would argue given Florida A&M University’s size, rivaling Howard University in population, that the school’s endowment should be at least twice its current size. With the number of undergraduates it puts out each year in the coming decade it could become a major competitor for the race to $1 billion among HBCU endowments assuming the college’s demographics continue on a steadily increasing trajectory. It also has one of the 5 HBCU law schools which allows for potential high quality donors. Unfortunately, Florida A&M could become its own worse enemy. Lawsuits and continuing issues with hazing could cost the school millions and become a major setback. It also could do serious damage to an otherwise stellar brand. There is also a void in leadership currently as the school seeks to fill its presidency. This will certainly have a capacious impact on the direction and vision of Florida A&M University in the coming decade. Florida A&M University’s competition with the “other” Tallahassee college could influence the school’s ability to grow its graduate school and produce higher quality donors so it is important to watch the strategy developed when the new leadership is installed. It can not be understated that it is the most high reward/high risk endowment currently in the HBCU landscape given that it has so much going for it but facing sobering headwinds. The Rattler nation’s resolve should not be underestimated but let us just hope they do not continue to make things harder for themselves. If Florida A&M University can focus the ship greater pastures await and if it can not it has the danger of becoming the Titanic.

As always it should be noted that endowments provide a myriad of subsidies to the university for everything from scholarship, faculty & administration salaries, research, and much more.

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The HBCU Endowment Feature – Clark Atlanta University

Posted on March 25, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Clark_Atlanta_University

School Name: Clark Atlanta University

Median Cost of Attendance: $34 218

Undergraduate Population: 3 127

Endowment Needed: $2 139 993 760

Analysis: Clark Atlanta University needs approximately $2.1 billion for all of its undergraduates to attend debt free annually. The school where W.E.B. DuBois taught after achieving his doctorate from a college in the Northeast remains the least known of the AUC trio despite a storied history of its own. Clark Atlanta has a geographic advantage that it certainly can exploit by being the only HBCU with a graduate school in a major metropolitan in the deep southeast which should allow it to be a major draw for HBCU undergraduates within the states of Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, and even arguably Alabama. If Clark Atlanta focuses on developing its graduate school, it could become a research juggernaut among HBCUs in the southeast and the spillover effects into its endowment could easily catapult Clark Atlanta University into the billion dollar endowment conversation amongst HBCUs. The university must also do something to stem its declining undergraduate population. Something that will be very hard in terms of attracting top tier students being the proverbial third wheel in the AUC. Distinguishing itself on the graduate level could stabilize the school and help it produce high quality graduates that in turn would produce sizable gains for the Clark Atlanta endowment. If it does not find its niche we could see a continue steady decline at the teaching “home” of DuBois. However, if it can make the pivot and establish a vision on the graduate level then the Clark Atlanta endowment will find new air.

As always it should be noted that endowments provide a myriad of subsidies to the university for everything from scholarship, faculty & administration salaries, research, and much more.

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The HBCU Endowment Feature – Bennett College

Posted on March 18, 2013 by | Leave a comment

Bennett_College_for_Women_1

School Name: Bennett College

Median Cost of Attendance: $25 653

Undergraduate Population: 736

Endowment Needed: $377 612 160

Analysis: Bennett College needs approximately $378 million to allow all of its undergraduates to attend the college debt free annually at its current population and cost of attendance. Often thought of as the “other” women’s college, Bennett College is actually 8 years older than its sister college in Atlanta. Comparisons between the two are natural but should not be made beyond their student body gender makeup. The school’s atmosphere is still intensely intimate with less than 800 students. Its need for growth goes without saying as it needs to double in size in order for more alumni in the field. At the same time it has an opportunity to develop extremely nurtured relationships with students and their families so that personalizing the donation relationship would not be complicated. The fields that it has shown to be strong in are very good growth and need areas for African America’s infrastructure. Bennett College faces some difficulties in terms of recruitment being in the middle of such an HBCU hotbed. Being such an extraordinarily small school can often time  leave it overlooked by potential students and donors. That being said it reports one of the healthiest if not the healthiest endowment amongst the small HBCUs. The coming decade for the endowment and its growth potential will be determined substantially as the board of trustees determines who the new leadership of the college will be and what their vision requires. With a strong willed leader this institution could see its endowment easily triple over the next decade. They are small but the ladies of Bennett College pack a mighty punch.

As always it should be noted that endowments provide a myriad of subsidies to the university for everything from scholarship, faculty & administration salaries, research, and much more.

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