In Atlanta, the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) recently convened over 2,000 participants committed to the transformation of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for electrifying conversations on partnership, innovation, and capacity-building. As the nation’s premier event focused on advancing HBCU institutions, UNITE 2024 brought together college administrators, faculty, staff, and other higher education stakeholders who found the conference invigorating, with ample networking opportunities that sparked meaningful conversations and actionable takeaways.
The conference kicked off with an opening gala on July 29, and momentum picked up during the workshops and sessions that followed. Among the numerous impactful discussions, sessions by the Intentional Endowments Network (IEN) offered valuable insights for institutional investors interested in sustainable investing and its impact on the future of HBCU Institutions.
Endowments & Asset Management Workshop
One Monday, July 29, IEN was featured in a conference workshop focused on HBCU endowments & asset management. Georges Dyer (IEN’s Co-founder & Executive Director) and Dianne Dillon-Ridgley (Board Chair of the Crane Institute of Sustainability), reframed the traditional mindset around mission-aligned investing challenges, urging institutional investors to view them as opportunities for growth and innovation. They highlighted the power of collaboration over competition, especially for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) seeking funding. By working together on grant opportunities, these institutions could significantly increase their chances of securing financial support, which would be harder to achieve individually due to limited capacity.
The session also addressed the complexities of consensus building at HBCUs, where competing priorities and resource constraints can make decision-making challenging. However, by fostering a collaborative spirit and aligning on shared goals, HBCUs can overcome these hurdles and drive impactful change.
Strategic Partnerships for Climate Action & Social Impact
This session highlighted the collaborative efforts of IEN and Second Nature to drive systemic change - nurturing a culture of sustainability on HBCU campuses through coalition building, resource sharing, and peer guidance on best practices. After sharing insights on the value of peer learning networks, the critical impacts of making a just transition to a regenerative economy, and Dillard University’s 30x30 plan, the session pivoted to an invitation for attendees to learn more about the Endowment Impact Benchmark (EIB). Then, the session concluded with panelist Q&A.
The EIB is a new third-party verified, impact investing-focused ratings and assessments framework that allows endowments and foundations to gain recognition, feedback, and peer benchmarks. Discounted participation is currently available to HBCUs, and limited spots remain for the 2024 EIB cohort. Learn more about EIB participation here.
Pictured from left to right: Blythe Coleman-Mumford, Paris Prince, Aicha Ly, Kem Opperman-Torres, & Charles Prince
Takeaways for Institutional Investors
Aside from conversations with IEN about HBCU endowment growth & collaboration, UNITE 2024 explored HBCU finance & innovation through topics such as: community engagement, sustainable campus infrastructure, HBCU thought leadership, the integration of advanced technologies into academic curriculums, student success, and more.
Key takeaways for institutional investors included the importance of collaboration, consensus-building, and integrating sustainability into all aspects of the university experience. Embracing these strategies can support HBCUs in overcoming their challenges and achieving significant financial returns through environmentally conscious investments.