In a move that is sure to confound–and enrage–the left, the Koch brothers have donated $25 million to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), the foremost source of financial support to African-American students.

The UNCF launched the “Koch Scholars” program Friday, which “will provide nearly 3,000 merit- based awards to African American undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctorate students seeking scholarship assistance.”

According to Koch Industries, Inc., the donation will also help fund 37 historically black colleges, which have struggled with financial shortfalls in recent years.

“We are enormously grateful to Koch Industries and the Charles Koch Foundation for their long-standing support of UNCF and for helping to create new opportunities for earned success and a better future for our students,” said UNCF president and CEO Dr. Michael Lomax.

The Koch brothers, Charles and David, are the Democrats’ favored targets in campaigns against Republicans in general, particularly on themes of climate change and campaign finance. Led by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, for whom the Koch brothers are a passionate obsession, Demcorats have made attacks on the Kochs the central feature of their midterm election campaign and their attempt to retain control of the U.S. Senate.

The Kochs, who support a variety of conservative, free market, and libertarian causes, are also known for their philanthropy in a variety of areas.

The $25 million donation to the UNCF is not a one-time gift aimed at easing public scrutiny, but is in fact the continuation of a long association between Koch-owned companies and the organization.

Regardless, Democrats may find that demonizing the Kochs will become a bit more difficult.