The 1890 Universities Foundation

What The 1890 Universities Foundation does

The 1890 Universities Foundation is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization founded in 2016 and headquartered in Washington, D.C., that operates as the central coordinating hub for the 19 historically Black land-grant universities (HBCUs) in the United States. The Foundation functions as a connector, facilitator, and advocate, channeling federal grants, corporate partnerships, and private donations to advance the core land-grant missions of teaching, research, and community extension at member institutions. Its leadership was refreshed in October 2025 with the appointment of Dr. Felecia M. Nave, a former NSF Division Director, as President and CEO.

The Foundation's core programmatic products are: (1) the Center of Excellence for Land, Water, and Resource Management (COE-LWRM), hosted at Tennessee State University and coordinating applied research across nine 1890 institutions with focus areas including precision agriculture and artificial intelligence, ecosystem health, natural resource management, and workforce training; (2) the 1890-DVMC Veterinary Medicine Scholarship program, offering up to $80,000 per student with 10 scholarships available in the 2026 cycle; and (3) large-scale federal grant coordination, most notably the unprecedented $35 million USDA Forest Service award for urban and community forestry across six 1890 universities over five years.

Revenue mechanics rely entirely on non-commercial sources — federal grants (USDA, Forest Service, NIFA, NRCS, USAID), corporate partnerships (Microsoft, Walmart, Cargill, Land O'Lakes), private donations via PayPal, and a strategic partnership with the QEM Network. Pricing is grant-based rather than product-based: the COE-LWRM RFA distributes $50,000-$100,000 per proposal and the DVMC program provides $10,000-$15,000 annual scholarships. The Foundation operates a sales-led partnership model through its Senior Vice President for External Relations and Director of Development, and uses multi-channel communications (website, monthly newsletter, social media on Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, and LinkedIn, events, and earned media) to engage university stakeholders and prospective partners.

Name

The 1890 Universities Foundation

Legal name

1890 Universities Foundation

Website

https://1890foundation.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Education Grant Coordination

NAICS

Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Grantmaking and Giving Services (81321), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

College Access, Scholarships & Student Success Nonprofits (BPAGADAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAK), Research & Science Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAI), Land-Grant Public Research Universities (EDAHAAAB), Scholarship & Fellowship Foundations and Trusts (EDADAHAC)

Keywords

• Hbcu land-grant support
• Agricultural research grants
• Veterinary scholarships
• Federal grant coordination
• Nonprofit education foundation

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Federal Grants and Awards: The Foundation secures large federal grants including a $35 million award from USDA Forest Service for urban and community forestry projects. The Foundation serves as a catalyst and coordinator of ambitious projects across the 1890 ecosystem, with funding distributed to member universities over multi-year periods.
2. Corporate and Private Partnerships: Partnerships with corporations including Microsoft, Walmart, Cargill, Land O'Lakes, and others who invest in the mission of the 1890 Foundation and the 1890 land-grant universities.
3. Donations: The Foundation accepts donations through PayPal to support education and innovation at historically Black colleges and universities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The 1890 Universities Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that coordinates funding, partnerships, and programs for 19 historically Black land-grant universities. It secures and channels federal grants (notably a $35 million USDA Forest Service award for Urban and Community Forestry), administers scholarship programs such as the 1890-DVMC Veterinary Medicine Scholarship, and manages the Center of Excellence for Land, Water, and Resource Management (COE-LWRM) research network across 9 institutions.

Product overview

The 1890 Universities Foundation operates as a connector, facilitator, and advocate organization supporting 19 historically Black land-grant universities. The Foundation's core offerings include grant coordination and management (such as the $35 million USDA Forest Service award and the $1 million COE-LWRM research funding), scholarship programs like the 1890-DVMC Veterinary Medicine Scholarship (up to $80,000 per student), and partnership facilitation with federal agencies and private sector partners. The Foundation amplifies the collective voice and impact of 1890 institutions through high-impact programming, federal partnership management, and advocacy efforts including support for the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act. A newsletter subscription service provides monthly updates on activities and events.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Center of Excellence for Land, Water, and Resource Management (COE-LWRM)

Quantifiable outcome

• HBCUs contribute nearly $15 billion annually to their communities
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Quality Education for Minorities (QEM) NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 November 2025Strategic partnership to catalyze research and development ecosystem growth for the nation's 19 historically Black land-grant institutions. The partnership advances research excellence, increases competitiveness for federal and philanthropic funding, and positions 1890 institutions as national leaders in innovation, sustainability, and community impact. QEM brings three decades of experience in capacity building, faculty training, and grantsmanship support. Key focus areas include expanding access to funding, building sustainable research infrastructure, empowering faculty excellence, and fostering collaborative research.
• USDA Forest ServiceflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Foundation secured an unprecedented $35 million award from the USDA Forest Service for urban and community forestry projects. This joint endeavor is unparalleled in its magnitude and reinforces the Foundation's pivotal role as the central hub for 19 Black Colleges and Universities. The funding addresses pressing challenges in urban greening initiatives and environmental equity issues facing under-served communities.
• USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe USDA and the Council of 1890 University Presidents have signed a formal Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to sustain and expand the federal partnership with the nation's 19 historically Black Land-Grant universities. The Foundation coordinates with USDA agencies including NIFA (National Institute of Food and Agriculture) and NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service).
• MicrosoftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner investing in the mission of the 1890 Foundation and the 1890 land-grant universities. Microsoft supports technology and innovation initiatives at HBCUs.
• WalmartcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner committed to racial equity and HBCU advancement. Walmart and the Walmart.org Center for Racial Equity partner with the Foundation to support the 1890 land-grant universities.
• CargillcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate partner in the agriculture sector investing in HBCU land-grant universities. Cargill supports the Foundation's agricultural research and community programs.
• Land O'LakescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAgricultural cooperative and corporate partner supporting the Foundation's mission. Land O'Lakes invests in the talent and expertise of 1890 universities.
• USAIDcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerU.S. Agency for International Development partners with the Foundation to support international training and development initiatives at 1890 universities.
• Tufts UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner collaborating with the Foundation on research and educational initiatives at HBCU land-grant universities.
• APLU (Association of Public and Land-grant Universities)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAssociation of Public and Land-grant Universities partners with the Foundation to advance the interests of 1890 land-grant institutions within the broader land-grant university ecosystem.
• DiversifyVetMedminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiative partner supporting the 1890-DVMC Veterinary Medicine Scholarship program to diversify the veterinary medicine profession.
• UIDP (University Industry Demonstration Partnership)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership focused on university-industry collaboration that supports the Foundation's work in connecting 1890 universities with industry partners.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture: NAFEO's specific federal advocacy role on HBCU funding, infrastructure, and capacity-building mirrors parts of the 1890 Foundation's mission, though NAFEO serves a broader HBCU base. Comparable in advocacy scope and target stakeholders.
• NACME (National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering): NACME provides scholarships and supports pathways for underrepresented minorities in engineering, with overlapping STEM-equity focus and HBCU student support. It is comparable in mission around STEM diversity and minority talent development, though smaller and more narrowly focused on engineering.

Direct peers

• United Negro College Fund (UNCF): UNCF is the largest private fundraising organization for HBCUs, providing scholarships and operating support to member institutions including several 1890 universities. Both organizations function as collective fundraising and advocacy vehicles for HBCU networks, making UNCF the closest direct comparable.
• Quality Education for Minorities (QEM) Network: QEM Network focuses on capacity building, faculty training, and grantsmanship for minority-serving institutions — including a formal strategic partnership with the 1890 Foundation announced November 2025. It is directly comparable in mission and programming.
• Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF): TMCF represents public HBCUs and provides scholarships, capacity-building, and corporate/federal partnership support. It is comparable to the 1890 Foundation in serving as a network-level convener and resource mobilizer for HBCU students and institutions.
• National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO): NAFEO advocates on behalf of all HBCUs and HSIs with federal agencies and Congress. It overlaps with the 1890 Foundation on federal partnership development, policy advocacy (e.g., IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act), and representing HBCU institutional interests in Washington, D.C.

Broad incumbents

• Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU): APLU is a research, policy, and advocacy organization for public universities and land-grant institutions, including 1890 institutions as members. It is comparable as a higher-level convening and federal engagement partner, though APLU serves the full land-grant ecosystem rather than focusing specifically on HBCUs.
• American Indian College Fund: The American Indian College Fund supports TCUs (Tribal Colleges and Universities) — the land-grant equivalent for Native American communities. Comparable as a nonprofit fundraising and capacity-building vehicle for a specific category of minority-serving, land-grant institutions.
• Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU): HACU represents Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and advocates for federal funding and corporate partnerships. Comparable as a broad minority-serving higher-education advocacy and resource-mobilization organization, though it is much larger and HSI-focused rather than land-grant.

Others

• National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE): NCTE provides educator professional development and grants in education, paralleling parts of the 1890 Foundation's grantsmanship and faculty development offerings. Comparable in professional society / capacity-building mission but with a different beneficiary base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/1890foundation
• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php?id=100094369220224
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/1890foundation
• Instagraminstagram.com/weare_19strong

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The 1890 Universities Foundation