City Fund and Bloomberg Philanthropies announced a fund to support historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and the public charter schools that feed into them. City Fund and Bloomberg Philanthropies have pledged $10 million each.
The donation marks “one of the largest coordinated efforts to foster K-12 and higher education partnerships with HBCUs,” wrote Bloomberg Philanthropies in a statement released Thursday.
Alabama communities impacted
Schools across Alabama will be positively impacted by the generous donations, but two are already reaping the benefits. Tuscaloosa’s first tuition-free charter school, I Dream Big Academy, opened its doors in August 2025. Working with nearby Stillman College, the school now serves students in grades 6 through 8.
D.C. Wolfe Charter School in Shorter, formerly known as D.C. Wolfe Elementary School, will open next fall as a conversion charter school in partnership with Tuskegee University. While it will remain public and tuition free, the school will gain more freedom in building curriculum + budget, as well as choosing staff…