Elevating excellence in education, research, and community engagement by supporting the nineteen historically Black land-grant universities (the 1890 institutions) through partnerships, grants, and programs that advance sustainable agriculture, urban forestry, community empowerment, and student and faculty development.
The 1890 Universities Foundation centers its grantmaking on the nineteen historically Black land-grant universities, using partnerships and program-specific funding to support education, research, and community engagement across the 1890 network. A defining part of that work is the USDA Forest Service–funded Urban and Community Forestry Initiative, a $35 million award that extends urban and community forestry projects across the universities, with six universities leading the effort and others expected to access funding over time. The foundation’s recent grants show a steady flow of federal subawards to individual 1890 institutions rather than broad open calls. West Virginia State University received $314,048 in one recent award, while Kentucky State University, Tuskegee University, Tennessee State University, Lincoln University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and Langston University also appear among the largest recipients. That pattern matches the foundation’s stated emphasis on sustainable agriculture, urban forestry, student and faculty development, and community empowerment. Its program design also reaches into workforce development and institutional capacity. Through the 1890-DVMC Veterinary Medicine Scholarship, it supports students pursuing veterinary medicine careers, and through the Centers of Excellence and related partnerships it backs research infrastructure, grantsmanship, and extension work across the network. The result is a funder that operates through targeted university-level awards tied to specific initiatives and federal program structures.
In urban greening and forestry, the 1890 Universities Foundation gave $175,000 to Fort Valley State University for a federal subaward, and the broader Urban and Community Forestry Initiative channels a $35 million USDA Forest Service award across the 1890 universities network. That aligns with its stated focus on urban forestry, environmental equity, and sustainability. In research capacity building, it gave $178,644 to Central State University for a federal subaward, reflecting the foundation’s emphasis on strengthening institutional research infrastructure and competitive grant capacity. The Research Capacity & Innovation Partnership with the QEM Network is designed to catalyze research capacity and innovation ecosystem growth across all 19 institutions. In agriculture and food systems, the foundation gave $170,000 to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff for a federal subaward. Its Centers of Excellence initiative also supports research, extension, and capacity-building activities tied to agriculture and food systems research, faculty development, and community engagement.
Current and upcoming funding from 1890 Universities Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Open through a Request for Applications for participating institutions within the 1890 university network.
Deadline: Submissions close June 5, 2026 at 5:00 pm CST.
$6.6M
$4.1M
$3.2M
$3.5M
Most grants fall between $47K and $162K, with a median of $87K.
25th Percentile
$47K
Median
$87K
75th Percentile
$162K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in AL.
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The typical award size is moderately concentrated: the p25 is $47,340, the median is $86,794, and the p75 is $162,028. Recent grants show repeated support to the same institutions across 2023, 2024, and 2025, including Central State University, Fort Valley State University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Lincoln University, Tuskegee University, West Virginia State University, Alabama A&M University, and Prairie View A&M University. The foundation is a public charity and its recent grants are described as federal subawards and program-specific funding. One active program, the 1890-DVMC Veterinary Medicine Scholarship, accepts unsolicited applications; the other major initiatives are not described that way.
Grantmaking is regional and entirely U.S.-based in the recent grants sample. Alabama appears frequently, with awards to Tuskegee University in Tuskegee and Alabama A&M University in Normal, and the top state by grant count is Alabama. Other recurring recipient cities include Institute, WV; Frankfort, KY; Princess Anne, MD; Jefferson City, MO; and Wilberforce, OH. The country distribution shows 62 grants to U.S. recipients and none outside the United States.
It supports the nineteen historically Black land-grant universities in the 1890 network. Recent awards go to individual universities such as West Virginia State University, Kentucky State University, Tuskegee University, Tennessee State University, and Lincoln University through program-specific federal subawards.
Its stated focus areas include agriculture, urban and community forestry, sustainable agriculture, community empowerment, education, research capacity building, health and wellness, environmental justice, and STEM and workforce development. The active programs also emphasize urban greening, food insecurity, community health and wellness, and environmental responsibility.
The recent grant list shows repeated awards to the same institutions across multiple years. For example, Central State University, Fort Valley State University, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Lincoln University, Tuskegee University, West Virginia State University, Alabama A&M University, and Prairie View A&M University each appear in more than one year.
The grant-size distribution is centered in the mid-five-figure to low-six-figure range: p25 is $47,340, median is $86,794, and p75 is $162,028. Recent awards also include larger federal subawards, such as $314,048 to West Virginia State University.
The foundation’s structure indicates it does not fund individuals. Its active programs are aimed at 1890 land-grant universities, including a scholarship program for veterinary medicine students and several initiative-based university grants and subawards.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY | WILBERFORCE, OH | $178,644 | 2025 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY | FORT VALLEY, GA | $175,000 | 2025 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT PINE BLUFF | PINE BLUFF, AR | $170,000 | 2025 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY | INSTITUTE, WV | $154,237 | 2025 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE | PRINCESS ANNE, MD | $149,037 | 2025 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY | LOMAN, MS | $115,000 | 2025 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| LINCOLN UNIVERSITY | JEFFERSON CITY, MO | $115,000 | 2025 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY | TUSKEGEE, AL | $102,237 | 2025 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY | PRAIRIE VIEW, TX | $98,431 | 2025 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $78,863 | 2025 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY | NORMAL, AL | $61,490 | 2025 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY | TALLAHASSEE, FL | $60,878 | 2025 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A&M COLLEGE | BATON ROUGE, LA | $48,686 | 2025 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY | DOVER, DE | $48,292 | 2025 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| NC A&T STATE UNIVERSITY | GREENSBORO, NC | $46,387 | 2025 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY | WILBERFORCE, OH | $178,644 | 2024 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY | FORT VALLEY, GA | $175,000 | 2024 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT PINE BLUFF | PINE BLUFF, AR | $170,000 | 2024 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY | INSTITUTE, WV | $154,237 | 2024 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE | PRINCESS ANNE, MD | $149,037 | 2024 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY | LOMAN, MS | $115,000 | 2024 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| LINCOLN UNIVERSITY | JEFFERSON CITY, MO | $115,000 | 2024 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY | TUSKEGEE, AL | $102,237 | 2024 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY | PRAIRIE VIEW, TX | $98,431 | 2024 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $76,863 | 2024 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY | NORMAL, AL | $61,490 | 2024 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY | TALLAHASSEE, FL | $60,878 | 2024 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A&M COLLEGE | BATON ROUGE, LA | $48,686 | 2024 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY | DOVER, DE | $48,292 | 2024 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| NC A&T STATE UNIVERSITY | GREENSBORO, NC | $46,387 | 2024 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY | INSTITUTE, WV | $314,048 | 2023 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY | FRANKFORT, KY | $247,743 | 2023 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY | TUSKEGEE, AL | $244,924 | 2023 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $234,236 | 2023 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| LINCOLN UNIVERSITY | JEFFERSON CITY, MO | $226,794 | 2023 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE | PRINCESS ANNE, MD | $226,006 | 2023 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| LANGSTON UNIVERSITY | LANGSTON, OK | $197,124 | 2023 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY | FRANKFORT, KY | $171,870 | 2023 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY | NORMAL, AL | $169,820 | 2023 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY | NORMAL, AL | $109,443 | 2023 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| NC A&T STATE UNIVERSITY | GREENSBORO, NC | $105,230 | 2023 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY | WILBERFORCE, OH | $97,505 | 2023 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE | PRINCESS ANNE, MD | $91,240 | 2023 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY | LOMAN, MS | $86,794 | 2023 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A&M COLLEGE | BATON ROUGE, LA | $86,794 | 2023 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY | PETERSBURG, VA | $75,627 | 2023 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY | PRAIRIE VIEW, TX | $72,978 | 2023 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY | NASHVILLE, TN | $68,958 | 2023 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY | INSTITUTE, WV | $61,955 | 2023 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
| LINCOLN UNIVERSITY | JEFFERSON CITY, MO | $60,000 | 2023 | FEDERAL SUBAWARD |
CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY
$178,644FEDERAL SUBAWARD
FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
$175,000FEDERAL SUBAWARD
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT PINE BLUFF
$170,000FEDERAL SUBAWARD
WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
$154,237FEDERAL SUBAWARD
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE
$149,037FEDERAL SUBAWARD
ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY
$115,000FEDERAL SUBAWARD
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY
$115,000FEDERAL SUBAWARD
TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY
$102,237FEDERAL SUBAWARD
PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY
$98,431FEDERAL SUBAWARD
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
$78,863FEDERAL SUBAWARD
ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY
$61,490FEDERAL SUBAWARD
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY
$60,878FEDERAL SUBAWARD
SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A&M COLLEGE
$48,686FEDERAL SUBAWARD
DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY
$48,292FEDERAL SUBAWARD
NC A&T STATE UNIVERSITY
$46,387FEDERAL SUBAWARD
CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY
$178,644FEDERAL SUBAWARD
FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
$175,000FEDERAL SUBAWARD
UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AT PINE BLUFF
$170,000FEDERAL SUBAWARD
WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
$154,237FEDERAL SUBAWARD
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE
$149,037FEDERAL SUBAWARD
ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY
$115,000FEDERAL SUBAWARD
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY
$115,000FEDERAL SUBAWARD
TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY
$102,237FEDERAL SUBAWARD
PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY
$98,431FEDERAL SUBAWARD
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
$76,863FEDERAL SUBAWARD
ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY
$61,490FEDERAL SUBAWARD
FLORIDA A&M UNIVERSITY
$60,878FEDERAL SUBAWARD
SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A&M COLLEGE
$48,686FEDERAL SUBAWARD
DELAWARE STATE UNIVERSITY
$48,292FEDERAL SUBAWARD
NC A&T STATE UNIVERSITY
$46,387FEDERAL SUBAWARD
WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
$314,048FEDERAL SUBAWARD
KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY
$247,743FEDERAL SUBAWARD
TUSKEGEE UNIVERSITY
$244,924FEDERAL SUBAWARD
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
$234,236FEDERAL SUBAWARD
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY
$226,794FEDERAL SUBAWARD
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE
$226,006FEDERAL SUBAWARD
LANGSTON UNIVERSITY
$197,124FEDERAL SUBAWARD
KENTUCKY STATE UNIVERSITY
$171,870FEDERAL SUBAWARD
ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY
$169,820FEDERAL SUBAWARD
ALABAMA A&M UNIVERSITY
$109,443FEDERAL SUBAWARD
NC A&T STATE UNIVERSITY
$105,230FEDERAL SUBAWARD
CENTRAL STATE UNIVERSITY
$97,505FEDERAL SUBAWARD
UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND EASTERN SHORE
$91,240FEDERAL SUBAWARD
ALCORN STATE UNIVERSITY
$86,794FEDERAL SUBAWARD
SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY AND A&M COLLEGE
$86,794FEDERAL SUBAWARD
VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
$75,627FEDERAL SUBAWARD
PRAIRIE VIEW A&M UNIVERSITY
$72,978FEDERAL SUBAWARD
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
$68,958FEDERAL SUBAWARD
WEST VIRGINIA STATE UNIVERSITY
$61,955FEDERAL SUBAWARD
LINCOLN UNIVERSITY
$60,000FEDERAL SUBAWARD