Thurgood Marshall College Fund receives $25 million grant from Lilly Endowment for HBCU capacity building

Core Viewpoint - The Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF) has received a $25 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. to enhance capacity at TMCF and its member historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) [2][3][4] Group 1: Grant Purpose and Impact - The grant will fund Project HBCU Capacity Building, aimed at maximizing HBCU performance through investments in research, operations, and innovation [2] - TMCF will address infrastructure needs and accelerate innovation across HBCUs, enhancing student support and empowering campuses to pursue underfunded initiatives [2][4] - The initiative is expected to lead to substantial improvements in institutional capacity outcomes across participating HBCUs over five years [7] Group 2: Strategies for Implementation - TMCF will enhance administrative systems and processes by implementing a data management system and developing tailored professional development offerings for staff [4] - Collaborative learning cohorts will be facilitated among TMCF member institutions to share best practices and resources in areas such as enrollment and student support services [5] - Grant opportunities and technical assistance will be provided to select TMCF member institutions to strengthen faculty research, improve student retention, and upgrade technology systems [6] Group 3: Organizational Background - TMCF, established in 1987, is the largest organization representing the Black college community, supporting nearly 80% of students attending Black colleges and universities [8] - Lilly Endowment Inc., founded in 1937, supports community development, education, and religion, with a special commitment to its hometown of Indianapolis and home state of Indiana [9]