1890 Universities Foundation
The 1890 Universities Foundation is a Washington, DC-based public charity that supports the collective work of the 19 historically Black land-grant universities and the communities they serve. Its stated approach is to mobilize partnerships, investments, and strategic initiatives to advance research, innovation, student success, and community transformation.
1890 Universities Foundation at a glance
In short: 1890 Universities Foundation gave $663K across 10 grants in 2024 (avg $66K), top state Alabama. 0% of 2024 grantees were new. Source: 2024 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2024)
- $663,219
- -58.6% vs 2023
- Grants made (2024)
- 10
- -33.3% vs 2023
- Average grant
- $66,322
- -37.8% vs 2023
- Median grant
- $66,585
- Total assets
- $4,087,469
- -1.9% vs 2023
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 10, 2024; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Alabama (33% of itemized 2024 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2024 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2024; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to 1890 Universities Foundation
- Contact
Mailing address: 1220 L Street Nw Suite 100, Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 744-0222
Website: https://1890foundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who 1890 Universities Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
The largest 2024 recipient was Southern University and A&M College ($114K). Together the top 10 received $663K.
Grant Size Distribution
57 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 21 grants of 57 (37%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The 2024 grants went to recipients in multiple states. The largest shares of grant dollars by recipient state were Alabama (33%), Louisiana (17%), Florida (14%), Oklahoma (13%), and Tennessee (7%). These listed shares total 84%; the remaining share went to recipients in other states.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2024 grant dollars across all 10 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is 1890 Universities Foundation open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2024
In 2024, 0 of 10 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. With only 10 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 10 points. How we count
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2024). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2024, annual grant giving ranged from $663K (2024) to $2.0M (2021). In 2024 it made 10 grants totaling $663K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Southern University and A&M College Baton Rouge, LA | Federal Subaward | $114,410 |
| Alabama A&M University Normal, AL | Federal Subaward | $113,554 |
| Tuskegee University Tuskegee, AL | Federal Subaward | $102,983 |
| Florida A&M University Tallahassee, FL | Federal Subaward | $91,302 |
| Langston University Langston, OK | Federal Subaward | $85,057 |
| Tennessee State University Nashville, TN | Federal Subaward | $48,112 |
| University of Maryland Eastern Shore Princess Anne, MD | Federal Subaward | $36,635 |
| Lincoln University Jefferson City, MO | Federal Subaward | $28,249 |
| NC A&T State University Greensboro, NC | Federal Subaward | $25,000 |
| Central State University Wilberforce, OH | Federal Subaward | $17,917 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
In 2024, the foundation reported 10 grants.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $4,087,469 | $3,166,188 | $3,461,404 | $663,219 | 10 | — |
| 2023 | $4,168,469 | $4,088,670 | $4,991,980 | $1,600,182 | 15 | — |
| 2022 | $3,400,524 | $3,292,231 | $3,645,472 | $1,362,831 | 15 | $314 |
| 2021 | $3,141,528 | $4,571,927 | $2,914,398 | $1,987,153 | 17 | $18 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The mission stated on the foundation’s website is to advance the collective power and national impact of the 19 historically Black land-grant universities through partnerships, investments, and strategic initiatives. Its 2024 filing states a mission of advancing agricultural research, scientific knowledge, and information sharing among universities.
The filing describes a Center of Excellence for Farming Systems and Rural Prosperity and Economic Sustainability focused on sharing practices, innovations, technologies, and personnel to address challenges facing small farmers, ranchers, and forestland owners, with an emphasis on socially disadvantaged and underserved farmers. It also describes a Center of Excellence for Student Success and Workforce Development that aims to support minority students’ academic success and broaden the agricultural workforce, and a Center of Excellence for Nutrition, Health, Wellness, and Quality of Life that supports research, teaching, and Extension to improve the health and well-being of underserved and minority populations.
The foundation’s website also describes the 1890 Scholarships Program as providing financial support to students attending HBCUs in the 1890 land-grant system. The available description presents this as support for students, not as a grant program for outside applicants. Among the organizations receiving grants in 2024, Central State University reported that its grant supported operations and overhead for the Innovation and Development Foundation of Central State, whose mission it described as supporting the HBCU mission in innovation and development.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2024, the foundation reported 10 grants totaling $663,219. Grant amounts ranged from $17,917 to $114,410, with a median of $66,584. The listed grants were all designated as federal subawards.
The largest listed grants went to Southern University and A&M College ($114,410), Alabama A&M University ($113,554), Tuskegee University ($102,983), Florida A&M University ($91,302), and Langston University ($85,057). Other recipients included Tennessee State University ($48,112), University of Maryland Eastern Shore ($36,635), Lincoln University ($28,249), NC A&T State University ($25,000), and Central State University ($17,917).
The foundation’s 2026 Request for Applications for the Center of Excellence for Land, Water, and Resource Management called for competitive proposals from eligible 1890 land-grant universities. The RFA listed a May 1, 2026 release date and a June 5, 2026 submission deadline, so that cycle has passed.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2024 filing listed Heidi Anderson as Board Chair, Council of P; Ericke Cage as Vice Chair, Council of Pr; Carolyn Williams as Chair, AEA; Ramon Shange as Chair-Elect, AEA; Louis Whitesides as Chair, ARD; Wesley Whittaker as Chair-Elect, ARD; Olga Bolden-Tiller as Chair, Council of Deans; Moses Kairo as Chair-Elect, Council of De; Alton Thompson as Executive Director, ARD; and Albert Essel as Executive Administrator, A.
1890 Universities Foundation is led by Jewel Bronaugh, President & CEO since 2024 (on filings since 2023); 4 of 18 officers listed in 2024 are compensated.
Officers on the 2024 filing
Jewel Bronaugh
President & CEO
Ex-Officio Members → President & CEO, 2024
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mortimer H. Neufville
President & CEO Emeritus
President & CEO → President & CEO Emeritus, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$159K (2021) → $148K (2024)
Alton Thompson
Executive Director & Ard
Ard Executive Director → Executive Director & Ard, 2022
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Louis Whitesides
Chair - Ard
Association of Research Directors → Chair- Ard, 2022
Chair- Ard → Chair - Ard, 2023
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Carolyn Williams
Chair -Aea
Chair - Aea → Chair -Aea, 2023
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Heidi Anderson
Board Chair - Council of P
Vice Chair - Council of Presidents Board Vice Cha → Board Chair - Council of Presidents, 2023
Board Chair - Council of Presidents → Board Chair - Council of P, 2024
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Olga Bolden-Tiller
Chair & Council of Deans
Vice Chair → Chair & Council of Deans, 2023
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Luwanda Jenkins
Chief of Staff & Vice President of Par
Vice President for Partnership & External Relati → Chief of Staff & Vice President of Partnerships, 2022
Chief of Staff & Vice President of Partnerships → Chief of Staff & Vice President of Par, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$106K (2021) → $142K (2024)
Antonio McLaren
Vice President & Programs
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$131K (2022) → $135K (2024)
Calece Hilliard
Chief Finance & Administration Officer
New on the 2024 filing
40 hrs/week
$89K (2024)
Albert Essel
Executive Administrator & A
Aea Executive Administrator → Executive Administrator & Aea, 2022
Executive Administrator & Aea → Executive Administrator & A, 2024
On filings since 2021
No compensation reported
Jose Toledo
Ard & Board Auditor
Board Auditor → Ard & Board Auditor, 2023
On filings since 2022
No compensation reported
Fontenot Olufunke
Provost Representative
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Moses Kairo
Chair-Elect & Council of De
Chair-Elect & Council of Deans → Chair-Elect & Council of De, 2024
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Ramon Shange
Chair-Elect & Aea
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Tonya L. Smith-Jackson
Provost Representative
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Wesley Whittaker
Chair-Elect & Ard
On filings since 2023
No compensation reported
Ericke Cage
Vice Chair - Council of Pr
New on the 2024 filing
No compensation reported
Former officers (13)
- Former: Eric Cage (2023) — Vice Chair - Council of Presidents
- Former: Mary Britt (2023) — Director of Finance
- Former: Lloyd T. Walker (2021–2022) — Chair & Council of Deans
- Former: Paul Jones (2021–2022) — Chair - Council of Presidents
- Former: Vonda Richardson (2021–2022) — Vice Chair - Aea
- Former: Bernard Mair (2022) — Aplu Representative
- Former: Mohamed Ahmedna (2022) — Vice Chair-Ard
- Former: Paul Brathwaite (2022) — Ex-Officio
- Former: Chandra Reddy (2021) — Association of Research Directors
- Former: Eugene Anderson (2021) — Association of Public Lgus
- Former: M. Ray McKinnie (2021) — Academic Deans
- Former: Makola Abdullah (2021) — Council of Presidents
- Former: Rosalind Dale (2021) — Association of Extension Administrators
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2024. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2024 filing was $148K, to Mortimer H Neufville (President & CEO Emeritus). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about 1890 Universities Foundation
How much does 1890 Universities Foundation give each year?
1890 Universities Foundation gave $663K across 10 grants in 2024, according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. In 2023 it gave $1.6M across 15 grants.
What is 1890 Universities Foundation's typical grant size?
1890 Universities Foundation's median grant in 2024 was $66,585, and its average grant was $66,322, across 10 grants on its 2024 IRS Form 990.
Where does 1890 Universities Foundation give grants?
1890 Universities Foundation's top state is Alabama, with 33% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2024 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were Louisiana (17%) and Florida (14%).
Does 1890 Universities Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2024: none of the 10 grants with a stated purpose on 1890 Universities Foundation's 2024 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Federal Subaward" (10 grants).
Who are 1890 Universities Foundation's largest grantees?
1890 Universities Foundation's largest 2024 grantees include Southern University and A&M College ($114,410), Alabama A&M University ($113,554) and Tuskegee University ($102,983), according to its 2024 IRS Form 990. Together they received 50% of its itemized 2024 grant dollars.
How large is 1890 Universities Foundation?
1890 Universities Foundation reported $4.1M in total assets on its 2024 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.2M.
What does 1890 Universities Foundation fund?
The mission stated on the foundation’s website is to advance the collective power and national impact of the 19 historically Black land-grant universities through partnerships, investments, and strategic initiatives. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from 1890 Universities Foundation?
1890 Universities Foundation has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check 1890foundation.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is 1890 Universities Foundation's EIN?
1890 Universities Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 20-5683899. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2024.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(5)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS March 16, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 9, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS January 27, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). 1890 Universities Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 5, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/1890-universities-foundation-morg_7c973f1d7248479c871e263e9c2d96cb
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_205683899_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{1890 Universities Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/1890-universities-foundation-morg_7c973f1d7248479c871e263e9c2d96cb},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-05. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from 1890 Universities Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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