About UDC Foundation

For over 40 years, the UDC Foundation has been the University’s charitable partner—securing private funding and philanthropic support for student scholarships, faculty research, and program initiatives.  You can make a difference by considering a tax deductible contribution today.

The University seeks to build a stronger and more effective UDC Foundation through board leadership committed to: bringing resources to the University; establishing strategic partnerships with corporate and philanthropic communities locally and nationally; and applying best practices in foundation governance.

“Our Firebirds are soaring, and we need your investment of time and resources to make a transformative impact, and to re-imagine UDC as a public higher education model of urban student success.”

Rodney Trapp, Executive Director.

Funding Priorities

Learn more about the foundation's priorities.

Developing America’s Workforce Nucleus (DAWN)

The DAWN rethinks public education to produce more business-ready talent than it loses by: (a) exploring different ways to identify talent besides high-stakes standardized assessments, (b) closing the “achievement” gap, and (c) reimagining the learning process so that it better refines the talents of economically disadvantaged and minority students.

Emerging Research Centers

Academic, discipline-based research is key to the university’s mission and the region’s resiliency. Interdisciplinary research centers expand on that mission by addressing social issues and new learning from multiple perspectives. 

 

Emergency Student Assistance Fund

An emergency assistance fund for UDC undergraduate students who experience unexpected, short-term hardships due to COVID-19 or other dire circumstances that may derail or delay their academic progress.

Named Endowment Fund

An endowment fund of $50,000 or more that exists in perpetuity to support student scholarships or University programs of the donor’s choosing.  

Make-A-Way Scholarship

A donor-customized current use scholarship fund of $25,000 or more.

UDC Fund

The hardest working annual fund at UDC. Puts your donation to work where the University needs it most.

International Student Scholarship Fund

Support international students and help ensure that UDC remains a diverse global learning environment.

Facilities and Student Support Fund

 A capital improvement fund that allows UDC to build, renovate and update facilities. These spaces will enhance the student experience for years to come and also help us recruit the best and brightest students and faculty.

UDC Foundation Highlights

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Mason Farewell

Fiscal Year End Campaign

Join us as we ‘kick off’ the school year with a campaign to support our international students. Unfortunately, international students cannot apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Instead, they turn to financial aid from UDC to help with their financial needs. A gift of any amount will help UDC to continue...

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Scholarship Opportunities

The University of the District of Columbia offers a variety of scholarships and financial aid opportunities to support Firebirds. We encourage you to support a scholarship fund by selecting from the drop-down menu.

While specific scholarship information may change over time, here are some general details about UDC’s scholarship opportunities:

  1. Merit-based scholarships – offers incoming freshmen and transfer students scholarships based on academic achievement. These scholarships are typically awarded based on merit and may require a minimum GPA. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid for more information.
  2. Departmental Scholarships – some of UDC’s schools and/or departments may offer scholarships specific to a student’s field of study. These awards are often given to students who demonstrate exceptional academic performance or have specific talents or interests related to the department’s area of focus. Interested students are required to contact their school and/or department of choice for more information.
  3. External Scholarships – UDC receives scholarships for external individuals and/or entities who set the parameters for how student scholars are identified. We invite interested students to visit the Office of Financial Aid’s Scholarship University portal for a complete list of all scholarship opportunities.
  4. UDC Foundation Scholarships – UDC Foundation is a separate entity from the University that also provides scholarships to UDC students. The foundation raises funds through private donations and sponsors to help support students each year.

All students are required to apply for a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FIFSA} each year that they are UDC students prior to submitting scholarship applications. All scholarship opportunities are listed in the Office of Financial Aid’s Scholarship University portal. Please see https://udc.scholarshipuniverse.com/ for more information.