About Sallie Mae Fund
The Sallie Mae Fund focuses its giving on supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities and organizations that strengthen access to postsecondary education for Black students. Grants are primarily unrestricted/general operating support, indicating a preference for funding institutional capacity rather than specific projects. The foundation's giving is concentrated and strategic, with multi-year or repeat investments in a small set of higher-education organizations.
Focus Areas
Financial and institutional support for HBCUs (e.g., Delaware State University)Capacity-building and general operating support for HBCU-focused intermediary organizations (e.g., Thurgood Marshall College Fund)Promotion and advocacy for HBCU visibility and student success (e.g., HBCU Week Foundation)
Who They Fund
nonprofit organizations (general)land trusts / conservancieslocal community or sports associationsemployees/donors participating in matching programs
Giving Approach
About Sallie Mae Fund
The Sallie Mae Fund Inc. has built a grantmaking pattern around HBCU support and postsecondary access for Black students, with several large general operating grants concentrated in a small group of education organizations. The clearest example is its multi-year support for Thurgood Marshall College Fund, which received $1,625,250 in 2025, $1,168,750 in 2023, and $672,500 in 2024 for general operating expenses. Delaware State University is another recurring recipient, including a $375,000 grant in 2025 and a $225,000 grant in 2024, both for general operating expenses. The foundation also backs HBCU visibility and student-support work through HBCU Week Foundation, which received $200,000 in both 2024 and 2025 and $100,000 in 2023. Beyond HBCU-focused grants, the portfolio includes scholarship and access-related support, such as $100,000 to Point Foundation and $75,000 to DC College Access Program. The grant record suggests a mix of institutional support, scholarship access, and capacity-building relationships rather than one-off project funding.
What Sallie Mae Fund Funds
A central theme is unrestricted support for HBCU-serving institutions. Thurgood Marshall College Fund received multiple general operating grants, including $1,625,250 in 2025, while Delaware State University received general operating support in both 2024 and 2025. The foundation also funds organizations that promote HBCU visibility and student success; HBCU Week Foundation received $200,000 in 2024 and again in 2025. Scholarships and affordability are another thread. Through the Bridging the Dream Scholarship Program with Thurgood Marshall College Fund, the foundation has awarded approximately $4 million in scholarships to more than 1,100 students. It also supported Point Foundation with a $100,000 grant in 2025 and DC College Access Program with $75,000 in 2025.
How Sallie Mae Fund Gives
Typical grants cluster around a mid-sized institutional range: the 25th percentile is $35,000, the median is $50,000, and the 75th percentile is $100,000. The pattern also includes larger multi-year commitments, especially to education nonprofits. Several recipients appear in multiple years, including Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Delaware State University, HBCU Week Foundation, Boys and Girls Club of Delaware, Folds of Honor, and Techpoint Foundation for Youth. The funder is a regular grantmaker rather than a DAF, and the recent record shows a strong preference for general operating support and occasional employee-matching gifts.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$3M
Total Assets
$2.5M
Total Revenue
$261K
Total Expenses
$3.1M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $35K and $100K, with a median of $50K.
25th Percentile
$35K
Median
$50K
75th Percentile
$100K
Geographic Reach
National13 states funded
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
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