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Mission
Our mission is to provide financial assistance to students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), thus extending Luther Vandross’ commitment to helping students achieve their goal of completing their degree and preparing for their next endeavors. The Luther Vandross Foundation is a tax-exempt 501 (C) (3) Nonprofit. EIN: 87-1142604. Your gift is tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Thank You to Our Sponsors
History
The Luther Vandross Foundation was founded to continue Luther’s legacy of providing financial assistance to students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities. Luther understood that a major challenge for students achieving a college degree is lack of funding. Throughout his career he promoted the importance of education. From personal experience he understood the benefit of a student’s learning environment.
Impact
Statistics show that over 52% of students attending HBCUs are first generation college students and come from low income families. These scholarships are meant to lessen the financial burden on the students, and their families and communities that support them. The goal of the Luther Vandross Foundation is to aid in that support, helping students to graduate and continue their journey to success. Over $1,000,000 in scholarships has been given away to over 216 College Students in their 3rd, 4th or 5th year of Undergraduate studies, since 2022 at 53 Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Testimonials
"Receiving the Luther Vandross Foundation Scholarship means a lot to me! It allows me to continue my education at my HBCU, where I can learn from other African Americans who share my vision for positive change in our community. I am also committed to pursuing my goal of becoming a clinical psychologist who works with minority adolescents and children who have mental illnesses. Thank you for recognizing my potential and supporting my journey towards a brighter future."
Nyshay Gordon
Psychology
Lincoln University of Pennsylvania
"The Luther Vandross Foundation Scholarship has been a tremendous support in helping me further my academic and professional endeavors as a Morehouse College student. It has given me the financial stability to fully take part in school and focus on excelling in my coursework. Beyond the classroom, this scholarship has opened the door for me to actively participate on campus and attend professional development events that enrich my growth and prepare me for future opportunities. I am deeply grateful for the investment in my journey and the chance to represent the mission of this foundation."
Elijah Flores
Computer Science
Morehouse College
"This Luther Vandross Foundation scholarship has genuinely helped me by alleviating financial stress, especially as a senior on my path to becoming an HBCU graduate. It came at a crucial time because I had been under stress balancing work and school over the summer, and being rewarded with this support was both exciting and a blessing! Now I could focus on finishing my last year strong, preparing for the LSAT, and working toward my goal of entering law school in Fall 2026 without that same financial burden. Thank you to the Luther Vandross Foundation for your generosity and belief in my journey."
Jaelyn Scott
Criminology Major/Sports Administration Minor
Howard University
"I want to extend a huge thank you to the Luther Vandross Foundation for awarding me a $ 5,000 scholarship. This will continue to push me to achieve the goal of graduating from an HBCU debt-free and to put no strain on my family by requiring them to continue financially supporting me through college. When I first applied to FAMU, I was told I would need to fund my education on my own, and this scholarship did just that! I am extremely grateful and do not take this moment lightly."
Myron Dobson Jr
Administration/Marketing
Florida A&M University