Tom Joyner Foundation Has Raised Over $55 Million for Students at HBCUs

Photo Credit: Urban Mecca

The "fly jock" is also a man with a big heart. In an article published in Black Collegian magazine in 2005, , the foundation had raised close to $30 million dollars with over 65 percent of the funds generated through individual contributions and all the proceeds directed to the students. "The money we raise goes to help the students," says Joyner. "We don't take out administrative costs." In addition to individual funders who support the organization, The Tom Joyner Foundation has a number of collaborations with a number of businesses that share Joyners vision. "To date, the Foundation has worked with nearly 100 HBCUs. For these schools, we have been able to donate money that keeps students at the schools and spur the schools' alumni to get more involved with this important effort."

Recently the foundation donated an additional $200,000 to Knoxville College, bringing total money given to the college over the life of the foundation to half a million dollars.

According to a press release earlier this year, the Tom Joyner Foundation has finalized an agreement to produce a book entitled "Tom Joyner Presents How To Prepare For College. " The book is scheduled to be released this fall.

The press release goes on to indicate that "since 1998 The Tom Joyner Foundation® has raised more than Fifty Five Million Dollars to help students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities stay in school. The Tom Joyner Foundation also hosts an annual cruise named the Fantastic Voyage which raises money for the (HBCUs)."