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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.
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
“I was a 2018 undergraduate Luther Vandross scholarship recipient, and I have been flourishing ever since I received the scholarship. I completed Law School in 2023 and I look forward to giving back as I continue forward.”
Martine Augustin
Criminal Justice
Hampton University
“I am extremely appreciative of the Luther Vandross Foundation helping me pay my tuition for the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 academic school year. With this financial help, I can continue my curriculum and focus on achieving my goals of higher education without worry."
Beyah Baylor
Civil Engineering with a Concentration in Transportation and Urban Studies
Morgan State University
“The Luther Vandross Foundation scholarship has impacted my education drastically, it has allowed me to focus completely on my schooling and not on the financial aspect of college so much.”
Gabrielle Neal
Health Science Major on the Pre-Nursing Track
Spelman College
”It has been hard at times to find the means to pay for our tuition because as twins, our cost is always double at the same time and the Luther Vandross Foundation greatly helped us during our Senior year of our Undergraduate studies; whereto, we decided to go directly into a Masters program!“
Richayla & Raichelle Smith
4th year in the 5 year Masters of Business Administration
Hampton University