Honoring Lance Blanks
A Legacy of Care & Support
Lance Blanks
1966 – 2023
About the fund
Lance Blanks was a champion for the Ron Brown Scholar Program. The Program selects exceptional young leaders with a passion for service and making a difference in the world. To honor him the Program with the support of the Blanks family and close friends is launching the Lance Blanks Emergency Fund campaign to benefit Ron Brown Scholars.
Ron Brown Scholars are at the heart of our community, and many come from backgrounds where every dollar counts. With average family incomes of $45,000 or less, they’re often hit hardest by rising costs and inflation, leaving them vulnerable when faced with an emergency. With your support we can create an enduring legacy in honor of our friend, mentor, father-figure, and former advisory board member Lance Blanks.
When an emergency occurs, your gift can help make a real difference to help empower them to overcome unforeseen emergencies that could derail their dreams.
Our GOALS
- Raise $500,000
- Create a permanent, sustainable emergency resource
JOIN US
Together, we can ensure that Scholars continue to thrive, even when facing life’s toughest challenges — and carry forward Lance’s legacy of compassion, mentorship, and love.
Donate online or make a pledge
faqs
For context, we typically approve $20,000–$25,000 annually or more for applicants who need emergency funds. Examples of reason for funds:
- Housing Insecurity
- Food Insecurity
- Mental Health
- Job Loss
- Shortfalls with financial aid in additional to receiving RBSP scholarship funding
- Emergency travel home / death in family
All Scholars must submit a form to request funds and outline the need and use for the funding request. All recipients are contacted by our team to discuss what challenges they are facing to get more detail around the emergency and to determine what additional support services they may need outside of monetary contributions.
The Emergency Fund is available to all undergraduate Ron Brown Scholars and Alumni.
There are currently 169 undergraduate Scholars and 534 Alumni Scholars
Emergencies can vary greatly in scope and cost. We haven’t set a formal maximum in the past, but we often provide partial support when full funding is limited to be sure we maximize its availability for the entire community.
Requests are reviewed as they come in on a case-by case basis. We address the need immediately in order that the Scholar is not in a holding pattern as requests are typically urgent. We make awards based on need and resources available.
It is our hope to raise more than $500,000 for this fund. We are able to launch the fund with a minimum of $100,000 in commitments. To date, we have three lead gifts confirmed.
