Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Herrendorf Family Foundation (HFF)
Overview of Available Grants and Funding
The Herrendorf Family Foundation is a private philanthropic foundation that supports youth and emerging leaders through scholarships, bursaries, emergency grants and wrap‑around supports. Working with partners such as the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation, it funds scholars in the US and Canada and runs programs like We Got You and leadership conferences. View Herrendorf Family Foundation (HFF)'s website for more information.
Content last updated: March 3, 2026
About Herrendorf Family Foundation (HFF)
What is the mission of Herrendorf Family Foundation (HFF)?
Herrendorf Family Foundation’s mission is to partner with global change leaders to advance education, empowerment and generational resilience. It supports scholars through financial aid and wrap‑around services so they can complete their studies and positively impact their communities.
What type of organization is Herrendorf Family Foundation (HFF)?
Herrendorf Family Foundation (HFF) is a Foundation.
What is Herrendorf Family Foundation (HFF)'s official website?
Herrendorf Family Foundation (HFF)'s official website is https://www.herrendorf.org/.
What else should I know about Herrendorf Family Foundation (HFF)?
Role of Herrendorf Family Foundation in the funding ecosystem
The Herrendorf Family Foundation (HFF) is a family-led philanthropic organization focused on expanding access to education and leadership opportunities for youth and emerging change-makers. Through financial aid and programmatic support, the foundation invests in scholars in the United States and Canada, often in partnership with community organizations and other philanthropic actors such as the Oprah Winfrey Charitable Foundation.
At the core of HFF’s portfolio is the We Got You initiative, which provides multi-year scholarships, annual bursaries and supplemental emergency grants. These funds are designed to cover not only tuition but also a wide range of academic and living expenses that can jeopardize a student’s ability to complete their studies. Examples include tutoring, career support, technology for academic use, food programs and off‑campus food stipends.
Types of financial support offered
- Scholarships and bursaries – multi‑year scholarship packages and annual bursaries for postsecondary students, often selected in partnership with local organizations and schools.
- Emergency grants – flexible, rapid‑response aid for family support, funerals, repair and maintenance costs, and unexpected educational or financial needs that arise during a scholar’s program.
- Wrap‑around supports – funding that complements existing tuition support and offers additional resources so scholars can address holistic needs, from food security to academic enrichment.
These supports are targeted to HFF Scholars and to participants in linked initiatives such as the Oprah Winfrey Leaders Scholars (OWLS), reflecting HFF’s emphasis on both academic excellence and community leadership.
Programs, leadership development and community
Beyond financial aid, the foundation runs several programs that enhance the impact of its grants. The We Got You Mentorship Program connects Herrendorf and OWLS scholars with mentors over the course of the year, in engagements facilitated by HFF staff. Scholars are also invited to participate in the LIVE Summit, a virtual forum connecting youth leaders with global mentors, and in an annual We Got You Global Leadership Conference that gathers scholars, community partners and contributing organizations.
The Scholars/Recipients portfolio on the site showcases individual grantees, their fields of study and partner organizations, underscoring HFF’s long‑term investment in educational attainment, social impact careers and leadership within underserved communities.
Publics served and overall impact
HFF focuses on young people from diverse, often underrepresented backgrounds, including first‑generation college students and youth from low‑income or historically marginalized communities. By combining scholarships, emergency financial relief, mentoring and leadership development, the foundation aims to foster generational resilience and empower scholars to contribute back to their communities through careers in medicine, technology, public policy, education, the arts and more.