The SRA Symposium - College of Medicine

RESOURCES FOR HISPANIC SERVING INSTITUTIONS (HSIs)
Papers
Federal agencies are a major source of funding for MSIs. The federal government supports research
and development and other higher education activities such as infrastructure, equipment,
funds that support partnerships between higher education and community economic development.
Significant dollars flow from the federal government to state agencies and find their way to
IHEs. Additionally, special earmarks are awarded and many grant opportunities are available from
several federal agencies.
Specifically, for HSIs the major source of funding is from the Department of Education Title V
appropriation. In 2005, $125 million was made available to support undergraduate education
at HSIs. The request for 2006 is $175 million. While the Department of Education is the major
source of federal funds for HSIs, it is not the only source. Other federal agencies, such as the U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA), the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
(HUD), the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Health and Human Services within
the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and NASA,
award money to HSIs through competitive grants, line items, and other funding mechanisms.
Though considerable ground has been gained through intensive lobbying in the past several years,
the effort must continue. HACU’s annual Capitol Forum has been invaluable in getting the word
to Congress. This effort, along with HACU’s government relations office in Washington, D.C., is
making a difference. HACU will continue to press on with a very aggressive legislative agenda.
Legislation like the “next Generation Hispanic-Serving Institutions Act” co-sponsored by Senator
Jeff Bingaman (NM) and Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (TX) targets Hispanics to pursue baccalaureate
degrees as well as graduate degrees. The Hispanic voice is being heard in Washington and
there is optimism that federal funds will be more readily available to the more than 200-plus HSIs.
The most significant current sources of funding include the U.S. Department of Education – Titles
II, IV, V, and VI. There are literally thousands of foundations in the U.S., and many more throughout
the world, with resources for specific purposes. Many foundations give in special areas like
the arts and humanities, civic and public affairs, and research. Within these categories, grants are
made to a variety of entities from state government agencies, public schools, non-profit organizations
and many other types of agencies representing various groups. One only needs to think of a
specific cause, i.e., getting youth involved in golf, and you will find a foundation that supports this
type of activity. The Tiger Woods Foundation is but one example.
Many foundations spread their wealth in many different ways. A certain percent may be set aside
for higher education that addresses very specific priorities--math and science, for example. A
percent of the foundation holdings may be set aside for civic and public affairs, arts projects or
humanitarian efforts. Development officers and presidents of MSIs, specifically those of HSIs, need
to identify foundations that prioritize giving to Hispanic Serving Institutions and that also have a
history of giving for a variety of projects. For example, the Hispanic Scholarship Fund awards over
$31 million annually in scholarships to deserving Hispanic college-bound students. The Coca-
Cola Company awards over $37 million annually to many higher education institutions, including
many MSIs/HSIs, for a variety of projects. Some foundations will only sponsor /support projects in
their own state and for very special groups, i.e., Native American populations. Many foundations
will only give seed money. Some foundations require matching funds, while others will fund entire
projects. Some are for a single year, while others may be for multiple years. HSI leaders and their
development officers must narrow the foundation field to those foundations that identify Hispanic
affairs as a priority and that have a history of supporting HSIs.
2005 Symposium Proceedings Book 51