On behalf of our trustees and staff, we are pleased to announce that the United Board has launched a Pandemic Response Fund, designed to help some of our network institutions meet the challenge of delivering quality education during the COVID-19 pandemic. The United Board has allocated $500,000 from its endowment to establish the Pandemic Response Fund, and has developed a process to expeditiously receive and review applications from eligible institutions. Grants made from the Fund will be in the range of $10,000 to $25,000.

We are keenly aware that our network institutions have experienced significant disruptions and encountered new challenges in past months. In launching the Pandemic Response Fund, we recognize the resilience of leaders, faculty, and administrators at our network institutions and their sustained commitment to meeting the intellectual, emotional, and spiritual needs of their students.

Grants from the Pandemic Response Fund will deliver practical assistance to eligible colleges and universities in our network through two categories of support:  general operating support for immediate needs brought on by the pandemic and immediate needs related to a transition to online learning, including for training, equipment, and software.

Eligibility will be limited to colleges and universities in the United Board network that specifically meet the following criteria:

1.     Private institutions only.

2.     Institutions that are experiencing significant financial need due to the pandemic.

3.     Institutions that have actively participated in at least two United Board-administered programs in the past three years.  These programs include the United Board Fellows Program, Faculty Scholarship Program, various training programs or consultations, project grants, among others.  It does not include institutions whose only activity was hosting of Fellows and faculty scholars.

4.     Institutions that have a track record of sound use and management of programs and project grants in the recent past.

Click here for the list of eligible institutions.

We extend our appreciation to all our network institutions for all they are doing to make higher education an enriching and rewarding experience for students despite the many challenges brought on by the pandemic.

Sincerely,

Nancy E. Chapman
President