In June 2024, the College of Engineering and Architecture (CEA) at Howard University received a $5 million donation. This unrestricted gift came from Autodesk Inc., which produces software for designers. It was the largest gift in the school’s history.
Ahead, we explore more about the gift, the importance of support and financial contributions to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and philanthropist Robert F. Smith’s advocacy of and involvement with organizations that support HBCUs.
Autodesk’s Gift to Howard University’s CEA
Howard University has produced some of the country’s best engineers. The new multi-million dollar donation from Autodesk will safeguard the future of Howard University’s engineering department by funding the Design and Make lab at the CEA. The new facility will provide equipment, software and other resources to students and faculty.
“It’s imperative that educators and industry leaders work together to prepare students for an ever-changing workforce, and technology companies like Autodesk have a critical role to play in bridging the gap. We’re honored to support Howard University’s students on their journeys to building the future,” said Autodesk president and CEO Andrew Anagnost.
In addition to boosting the technology and resources available to Howard University students, the cutting-edge lab will also serve K-12 students and help them discover and delve into STEM. The lab is slated to open in fall 2024.
The Importance of Donating to HBCUs
This monumental gift from Autodesk is designed to not only improve Howard University’s engineering program but could also help increase the number of Black engineers. According to data from Zippia, in 2021, only 3.3% of engineers were Black Americans.
While HBCUs represent just 3% of colleges and universities in the U.S., they produce 50% of Black doctors, 50% of Black lawyers and 80% of Black judges, as well as a significant number of STEM majors, like engineers. Yet, HBCUs are historically underfunded — with many HBCU institutions dependent upon tuition and other fees for support. Alumni giving represents approximately 10% of university donations.
Sustainable financial contributions are needed for these institutions to grow, continue to build their programs and educate even more students seeking STEM careers. Unrestricted donations, like the one made by Autodesk, are important to HBCUs, as they can place funding where it is most critical. Other individuals, organizations and groups who have made significant donations to HBCUs in recent years include:
- MacKenzie Scott (Tuskegee University, $20 million; Hampton University, $30 million; and Howard University, $40 million)
- Shubert Foundation (two $1 million donations for theater students at Morehouse College and Spelman College)
- Cisco (a total of $5 million in commitments to Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College and Morehouse College)
Smith pledged $34 million to the Morehouse College class of 2019 to pay off the student loan debt held by the students and the student debt accrued on their behalf by their parents and guardians.
Smith and Student Freedom Initiative
After Smith provided his gift to the Morehouse College class of 2019, he was inspired to do more for students at HBCUs. Student Freedom Initiative (SFI) was created to provide freedom in professional and life choices for students attending HBCUs, other Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). Before its launch in 2021, Smith donated $50 million to establish SFI. Fund II Foundation, of which Smith is the founding director and President, also donated $50 million.
Since its founding, SFI has received support from companies and organizations like Cisco, Capital One, Clear Channel Outdoor, United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and Vista Equity Partners (Vista), of which Smith is the Founder, Chairman and CEO. In 2022, SFI partnered with Prudential Financial, which allocated $1.8 million in microgrants to establish SFI’s Handling Everyday Life Problems for Students (HELPS) Program. HELPS provides funds for one-time, emergency expenses encountered by Black students. The program was later expanded thanks to a $1.1 million grant from the Capital One Foundation.
“By enabling the launch of the HELPS Program, a vital component of our work to address the holistic needs of HBCU students and families, Prudential’s gift will provide long-needed and often overlooked aid and support persistence of those most vulnerable in our community,” said Smith.
Learn more about Smith’s support of HBCUs on his LinkedIn.
