Florida A&M University (FAMU) has introduced its first micro-donation platform, the FAMU Change app, aimed at encouraging alumni, students, parents, and supporters to contribute to the university through small donations linked to everyday purchases. The app automatically rounds up debit or credit card transactions to the nearest dollar and donates the spare change to support FAMU initiatives.
President Marva Johnson stated, “This isn’t just about giving—it’s about reconnecting with the FAMUly from across the country. Every coffee, every tank of gas—it all adds up to something bigger. Together, we’re building a stronger FAMU, one transaction at a time. Together we can Make Change, Bragg Different.”
The funds raised will help support student programs such as the relaunch of the “Life Gets Better” scholarship in honor of President Emeritus Frederick S. Humphries. Once users’ rounded-up change totals $5, it is donated directly to FAMU.
Brandi Tatum-Fedrick, acting vice president for University Advancement and executive director of FAMU Foundation, Inc., said, “The FAMU Change app is a great way to allow your spare change to multiply into scholarships and support for the College of Love and Charity. When we come together, we do more than make change, we become the change.”
FAMU aims for 25,000 downloads by the end of 2025. According to projections from university officials, if 4,000 users are active on the platform each year, they could collectively raise over $100,000 annually.
The app is powered by HBCU Change—a technology company focused on supporting Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) through digital fundraising tools—and will be available on both Apple’s App Store and Google Play platforms.
Founded in 1887 in Tallahassee as a public historically Black university within Florida’s State University System and accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), FAMU maintains several campuses throughout Florida including law and pharmacy programs in Orlando and other cities.
HBCU Change specializes in white-label mobile applications that allow institutions like FAMU to connect with alumni using automated roundup donations from everyday purchases. More information about HBCU Change can be found at hbcuchange.com.
