HBCU alumni associations are among the most powerful and trusted networks in higher education. They carry institutional memory, activate alumni pride, develop volunteer leaders, strengthen community relationships, and help move resources toward the institutions that shaped generations of graduates. When alumni associations, HBCU leaders, advancement teams, and foundation partners are aligned, they can do more than support individual programs - they can expand institutional capacity, deepen alumni investment, and help secure the future of HBCUs.

To build on that strength, The Inclusion Firm is pleased to partner with the National HBCU Alumni Associations Foundation to launch a four-part National HBCU Alumni Leadership & Capacity-Building Series designed for HBCUs and their alumni associations.
 

This series is designed to invest in alumni leadership by offering practical tools, shared learning, and capacity-building support that HBCUs and alumni associations can use to strengthen collaboration, expand engagement, and increase collective impact.

Delivered quarterly, the series will focus on four topics that reflect the opportunities alumni associations and institutional partners are uniquely positioned to advance:

Session One: Building Strong Alumni Partnerships
This opening session will explore how alumni associations, institutional advancement offices, and university foundations can move from parallel efforts to shared strategy through stronger role clarity, trust, communication, shared priorities, and accountability. The session will be held virtually on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, from 6:30–8:00 p.m. ET. 

Session Two: Donor-Advised Funds
A practical overview of how HBCU partners can better understand donor-advised funds, emerging giving trends, solicitation strategies, and stewardship.

Session Three: Estate and Gift Planning
An introduction to planned giving, legacy societies, marketing strategies, and donor stewardship that can help alumni leaders and institutions encourage long-term investment in HBCUs. 

Session Four: Alumni Volunteer Fundraising
Tools to help alumni leaders, chapters, and institutional partners strengthen annual giving, peer-to-peer outreach, campaigns, and donor engagement.

The series is designed for HBCU alumni association leaders, chapter leaders, institutional advancement professionals, foundation leaders, alumni relations professionals, and volunteer leaders who want to strengthen partnership, leadership capacity, and long-term institutional Support.

The first session, Building Strong Alumni Partnerships: From Silos to Shared Strategy, is now open for registration. Seats are limited, and alumni leaders are encouraged to register and share this opportunity with key partners across their associations, chapters, institutions, and Foundations.

Register for Session One: Building Strong Alumni Partnerships:

REGISTER HERE

Together, The Inclusion Firm and NHBCUAAF are creating space for HBCU alumni leaders and Institutional partners to learn from one another, strengthen practical skills, and continue advancing the institutions and communities they love. 

Contact us for more information, or if you’d like to be informed about our upcoming sessions: [email protected].