From Florida fundraising walks and Virginia faith partnerships to college readiness programs in Wisconsin and a major Houston gala, the organization is turning the season of gratitude into opportunities for students.
WASHINGTON — UNCF November 2026 fundraising and community initiatives will bring together alumni, businesses, faith organizations and education supporters nationwide to expand college opportunities and strengthen historically Black colleges and universities.
As Americans enter a season traditionally associated with gratitude, generosity and service, the United Negro College Fund is preparing a series of scholarship walks, educational programs and philanthropic events across the country.
Together, the events illustrate how UNCF is approaching philanthropy as more than a financial transaction. The organization is seeking to turn community participation into scholarships, professional opportunities and long-term educational support.
Two Florida fundraising events alone have established a combined goal of $180,000, while additional gatherings will focus on expanding donor participation, building partnerships and connecting students directly with resources needed to pursue higher education.
The November push comes as institutions nationwide prepare for year-end charitable giving, including Giving Tuesday on Dec. 1.
For HBCUs and the students they serve, the season offers an opportunity to remind supporters that educational access depends not only on institutional resources but also on sustained community investment.
Florida communities rally around scholarships
UNCF’s Florida operations will be particularly active in November, with fundraising initiatives in Miami Gardens, Tampa and Orlando.
In South Florida, UNCF will host its Walk for Education: Ignite the Night on Nov. 6 at the Betty T. Ferguson Recreational Complex in Miami Gardens.
The evening event, scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m., will combine an illuminated community walk with music, student performances, family activities, scholarship stories and opportunities for businesses and organizations to participate.
Developed in partnership with the city of Miami Gardens, the gathering is intended to bring education supporters together while raising awareness of the financial challenges that can prevent students from attending or completing college.
Unlike a traditional daytime charity walk, the nighttime format emphasizes celebration and visibility, bringing families, local businesses, schools and community organizations into a shared experience.
The following morning, Nov. 7, the focus shifts to Tampa, where the 11th Annual UNCF 5K Walk/Run for Education will take place at Perry Harvey Sr. Park.
Organizers have established an $80,000 fundraising goal to support student scholarships and educational programs.
The Tampa initiative encourages participants to build fundraising teams, recruit donors and engage businesses, fraternities, sororities, faith organizations and alumni associations.
Participants can contribute through individual registration, sponsorships and team fundraising efforts.
In Orlando, UNCF is setting an even larger target.
The organization’s 18th Annual 5K Run/Walk for Education is scheduled for Nov. 14 at Blue Jacket Park, with a $100,000 fundraising goal.
Funds raised are intended to support scholarships and student success initiatives, including internships, mentoring and resources that help students enter college and remain on track toward graduation.
Although the Tampa and Orlando events have distinct local campaigns, their combined $180,000 goal demonstrates the scale of community fundraising possible when education supporters are mobilized around a common purpose.
The South Florida initiative adds another opportunity for residents and businesses to participate, although UNCF’s published event information does not specify a comparable fundraising target.
Investing in students beyond financial contributions
While fundraising is an essential part of UNCF’s November activities, the organization is also investing in educational guidance and college readiness.
On Nov. 10, UNCF’s Empower Me Tour will visit Milwaukee for a free student-focused event at the Baird Center.
The tour is designed to help young people prepare for higher education and future careers through workshops, college admissions information, scholarship resources and financial literacy guidance.
Participating students will have opportunities to connect with representatives from UNCF-member HBCUs, learn about paying for college and receive assistance with academic planning.
The program reflects a broader understanding of educational opportunity: financial resources alone do not always guarantee student success.
Students also need information about admissions requirements, scholarship opportunities, career pathways and the academic preparation necessary to succeed after enrolling.
By bringing those resources directly into communities, UNCF is seeking to reduce information barriers and help students make better-informed educational decisions.
The Milwaukee event also demonstrates why partnerships with colleges, educators and businesses matter. Such relationships can expand the resources available to students before they begin college and help create pathways into the workforce.
For students who may be the first in their families to attend college, access to admissions guidance and financial aid information can be especially valuable.
Faith communities continue a tradition of educational giving
Faith-based organizations will also play a prominent role in UNCF’s November initiatives.
The month’s activities began with the Atlanta Faith Campaign’s “Dream Big” gathering, scheduled for Nov. 1 at Tyler Perry Studios.
The event was designed to bring together religious, civic and community leaders through music, storytelling and discussion about educational opportunity.
With Bishop William Murphy serving as the campaign chair, the initiative emphasized the connection between faith, philanthropy and educational advancement.
Because the Atlanta gathering falls one day before this newsletter’s publication, its fundraising outcomes were not available as of this article’s preparation.
Later in the month, UNCF will bring a similar emphasis on community leadership to Virginia.
The 2026 Virginia Faith Leaders’ Breakfast is scheduled for Nov. 14 at Good Shepherd Baptist Church in Petersburg.
The gathering will unite religious leaders, educators, corporate representatives and civic organizations in support of UNCF’s student success mission.
Net proceeds from the event will support the organization’s efforts to expand educational access and strengthen the pipeline of college graduates.
Faith communities have historically supported HBCUs through scholarships, donations, mentoring and service. Their involvement remains an important part of the broader network of support surrounding Black higher education.
These relationships can extend beyond a single fundraising event by helping institutions engage congregations, identify potential mentors and connect students with community resources.
The Virginia and Atlanta initiatives illustrate how educational philanthropy can grow from trusted local relationships and longstanding traditions of service.
Corporate and community partnerships take the spotlight in Houston
UNCF’s November activities will culminate in a major gathering of corporate and community supporters in Houston.
The organization will host its inaugural UNCF Masked Ball on Nov. 21 at the Hilton Americas-Houston, beginning at 6 p.m.
The new event replaces the organization’s longtime “A Mind Is…” Gala and is designed to increase financial support for scholarships and educational opportunities throughout the Houston and South Texas region.
More than 500 supporters are expected to participate, including business executives, alumni, community leaders, civic representatives and individual donors.
The event will feature entertainment, student stories and fundraising opportunities intended to demonstrate the impact of educational philanthropy.
Corporate sponsorship packages range from $6,000 to $100,000, allowing participating organizations to support student success while strengthening their relationships with the local community.
The Houston event represents another dimension of UNCF’s giving strategy: engaging employers and business leaders who recognize the importance of developing an educated and prepared workforce.
Corporate philanthropy can help students through scholarships, mentorship, internships and career preparation. For HBCUs, those investments can also strengthen connections between academic institutions and industries seeking qualified graduates.
The Houston gathering illustrates how an evening fundraising event can serve as a foundation for relationships that extend beyond the ballroom.
Why November matters for HBCU philanthropy
Although UNCF conducts fundraising and educational programming throughout the year, November creates an opportunity to connect those efforts to a broader national conversation about gratitude, service and charitable giving.
National Gratitude Month, Thanksgiving and the approach of Giving Tuesday provide natural opportunities for nonprofit organizations to engage donors and encourage community participation.
UNCF’s scheduled events also demonstrate the range of contributions that can support higher education.
Some individuals will contribute financially. Others will volunteer, organize fundraising teams, mentor students or introduce educational organizations to potential corporate partners.
The impact of those contributions can extend well beyond a single event.
According to UNCF’s fiscal 2025 annual report, the organization provided scholarships to 10,885 students during that fiscal year. It also reported conducting 72 fundraising events and supporting a network of HBCU member institutions across the country.
Since 2020, UNCF has raised more than $1.3 billion, according to the same report, reflecting the scale of its broader fundraising and institutional support efforts.
Those figures provide context for the organization’s November calendar. While a local fundraising walk may raise tens of thousands of dollars, the collective efforts of communities nationwide contribute to a larger mission centered on educational access, college completion and institutional strength.
The importance of those efforts is also reflected in UNCF’s research on the broader economic contributions of HBCUs.
Its 2024 economic impact report found that the nation’s HBCUs generated $16.5 billion in annual economic impact and supported more than 136,000 jobs.
The report underscores that investment in historically Black colleges and universities reaches beyond campus boundaries, supporting regional economies, workforce development and communities.
For donors and corporate partners, supporting student education can therefore be understood as an investment in both individual opportunity and broader economic development.
Turning gratitude into lasting opportunity
As November unfolds, UNCF’s events will offer multiple opportunities for people to participate in that investment.
Families in Miami Gardens can join an evening walk. Alumni and businesses in Tampa and Orlando can help local fundraising teams pursue their scholarship goals. Students in Milwaukee can access college planning resources. Faith communities in Virginia can build partnerships around educational opportunity. Corporate supporters in Houston can contribute through sponsorships and philanthropy.
The activities differ in scale and format, but they share a common objective: helping more students gain access to higher education and complete their degrees.
With Giving Tuesday approaching Dec. 1, the month also offers UNCF an opportunity to build engagement that carries into year-end fundraising.
The organization’s November calendar provides a reminder that the strength of historically Black colleges and universities depends partly on the communities that continue to invest in their success.
During a season centered on giving thanks, UNCF is encouraging supporters to turn appreciation into participation and participation into opportunities for the next generation of college graduates.
UNCF November 2026 events at a glance
| Date | Location | Initiative | Published goal or purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov. 1 | Atlanta, Georgia | Dream Big Faith Campaign | Faith-based educational philanthropy |
| Nov. 6 | Miami Gardens, Florida | Ignite the Night Walk | Scholarships and community engagement |
| Nov. 7 | Tampa, Florida | 11th Annual 5K | $80,000 fundraising goal |
| Nov. 10 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin | Empower Me Tour | College preparation and scholarships |
| Nov. 14 | Orlando, Florida | 18th Annual 5K | $100,000 fundraising goal |
| Nov. 14 | Petersburg, Virginia | Faith Leaders’ Breakfast | Educational fundraising and partnerships |
| Nov. 21 | Houston, Texas | Inaugural Masked Ball | Corporate and community philanthropy |
Sources: Official UNCF 2026 events calendar, individual event announcements and UNCF’s fiscal 2025 annual report.
