Following the Civil War, the former Methodist Episcopal Church organized the Freedmen’s Aid Society to help educate African Americans who could not read or write. In 1972, The United Methodist Church established the Black College Fund to provide reliable support for UM related historically Black colleges and offer a chance to everyone with a dream and a commitment to excel – regardless of race, class, gender, or ethnic heritage. Many of these students, often the first in their family to go to college, would fall through the cracks and never earn a college degree though they have the intellectual capacity to do so.. The United Methodist Church supports the largest number of fully accredited historically Black colleges and universities in the United States.

 

Through United Methodist Church giving, we support 11 Black colleges and universities in the U.S. that are committed to academic excellence based on the Christian perspective of community service and social responsibility. The United Methodist Church supports the largest number of fully accredited historically Black colleges and universities in the United States. The Black College Fund distributes 95% of all funds received equally to these 11 institutions. Those with the highest enrollments receive a slightly higher amount.

 

The colleges supported by the Black College Fund keep tuition relatively low so students with modest incomes may attend. The fund gives the participating colleges and universities the finances they need to support college staff and faculty who can serve as strong intellectual, cultural and spiritual mentors. The faculty and staff of Black colleges are committed to helping everyone with a dream excel regardless of race, class, gender, or ethnic heritage.

 

The Black College Fund Lina H. McCord Summer Intern Program follows a model of communication and itineration (moving from place to place) prominent in the Methodist tradition. Itineration enables students to cross jurisdictions at least once while completing short-term and regular assignments. This provides understanding between and among different groups throughout the church.

 

The Black College Fund distributes 95% of all funds received equally to the 11 institutions supported by this fund. The 11 Black colleges are located in the Southeastern and South Central Jurisdictions. Those with the highest enrollments receive a slightly higher amount. Five percent of the funds are awarded for special projects or activities. Administrative costs for the Fund are less than 5%. This is not a scholarship fund; the money goes directly to the institutions.

The United Methodist Church has been supporting the Black College Fund at about 90 to 92% the past two years through apportionment funding. In 2018, United Methodists gave $9.6 million which was 90.2% of the apportionment. The colleges supported by the Black College Fund keep tuition relatively low so students with modest incomes may attend. And, these colleges are and always have been open to all. 

 

 

Your giving to the Doylestown United Methodist Church supports the Black College Fund which enables schools like Rust College, in Holly Springs, Mississippi, and Clark Atlanta University to continue to develop students who will impact the world God loves.

“HBCUs continue to play an important part of educating our nation’s youth and producing future doctors, lawyers, business executives, scientists and philanthropists.” –Tom Joyner

Through the Black College Fund, we’re working together to ensure that the institutions that have equipped our nation’s finest leaders continue for years to come.

 

If you feel inspired to give to Doylestown United Methodist Church, 2% of your contribution goes to The United Methodist Church apportionment funds, like the Black College Fund.

 

 

Articles provided by United Methodist Communications