The Late Winifred Davenport Barnes Leaves $500,000 Gift to UNCF

FAIRFAX, Va. (October 24, 2008) - UNCF-the United Negro College Fund-the nation's oldest and most successful minority education assistance organization, has received a $500,000 gift from the estate of the late Winifred Davenport Barnes. Proceeds from the bequest will benefit the 55,000 students who attend the 39 historically black colleges and universities that are members of UNCF.

UNCF -- the United Negro College Fund -- is the nation's oldest and most successful minority education assistance organization. Its mission is to increase minority degree attainment by providing financial support to its 39 member institutions, reducing financial barriers to college and serving as a national advocate for minority education. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 18 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities across the country. UNCF's recently redesigned logo and brand identity feature UNCF's torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."® Learn more at www.UNCF.org .