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Hummel Family Foundation

Annual Giving
$5.0M
Grant Range
Up to $0.0M00
Decision Time
3mo
0

Hummel Family Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $5,029,000 (2023)
  • Total Assets: $84,900,000 (2024)
  • Grant Range: Up to $30,000 (individual scholarships)
  • Number of Awards: 22 (2023)
  • Geographic Focus: National (primarily Colorado, Missouri, Ohio, Kansas)
  • Primary Focus: Higher education scholarships

Contact Details

Address: 1271 Avenue of the Americas, 42nd Floor, New York, NY 10020

Phone: 970-348-0450

Administrative Trustee: Bessemer Trust Company NA

Foundation Trustees: Carole Hummel, Rob Hummel, Jennifer Hummel

Overview

The Hummel Family Foundation was established in 2015 by Dr. Robert C. Hummel, co-founder of Great Plains Chemical Company/Animal Health International, and his wife Carole, following the sale of their company. Dr. Hummel, who graduated from Ohio State's College of Veterinary Medicine in 1961, and Carole, who graduated from Ohio State's dental hygiene program in 1958, created the foundation with a "pay it forward" philosophy focused on higher education. Following Dr. Hummel's passing in October 2020, the foundation is now managed by their children, Rob and Jennifer Hummel, alongside Carole.

The foundation's mission centers on providing substantial scholarship opportunities to qualified students who may otherwise be unable to attend university on a full-time basis. With total assets of $84.9 million and annual giving of approximately $5 million, the foundation has awarded scholarships to hundreds of students across seven partnering universities, with over 270 recipients at the University of Missouri alone, totaling more than $3 million at that institution.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Hummel Family Foundation operates exclusively through scholarship programs at seven partnering universities. This is not a general grant-making foundation for nonprofits or organizations—all funding goes directly to student scholarships.

Hummel Family Scholarship Program (established 2017)

  • Award Range: Up to $30,000 per year (amount varies by institution and student need)
  • Universities: Rockhurst University, University of Missouri, Ohio State University, University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado State University, University of Denver, University of Northern Colorado
  • Application Method: Through individual university scholarship offices (not directly to the foundation)

University-Specific Programs:

  • Rockhurst University: Up to $30,000 annually; potentially the largest scholarship program in university history with $500,000 awarded to approximately 20 students in the first year
  • University of Colorado Boulder (Leeds School of Business): Up to $12,500 annually
  • Ohio State University (Dental Hygiene): Full tuition and fees for one student annually
  • University of Missouri: Substantial awards contributing to over $3 million distributed to date

Priority Areas

Primary Focus: Higher education access for students with financial need

Student Priorities:

  • First-generation college students (strong preference)
  • Students demonstrating significant financial need (primary criterion)
  • Students pursuing business skills and entrepreneurship programs
  • Students with demonstrated leadership abilities
  • Students with contributions to society through volunteerism and community service
  • Full-time undergraduate students committed to degree completion

What They Don't Fund

  • Direct organizational grants to nonprofits
  • Individual applicants not enrolled at one of the seven partnering universities
  • Part-time students
  • Graduate programs (except specific graduate-level programs at partnering institutions)
  • Students who cannot maintain minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA
  • Students not in good academic and conduct standing

Governance and Leadership

Trustees:

  • Carole Hummel: Co-founder, Ohio State dental hygiene alumna (Class of 1958)
  • Rob Hummel: Son of founders, co-managing the foundation
  • Jennifer Hummel: Daughter of founders, co-managing the foundation
  • Bessemer Trust Company NA: Administrative trustee managing foundation operations

Founder (deceased 2020):

  • Dr. Robert C. Hummel: Co-founder of Great Plains Chemical Company/Animal Health International, Ohio State College of Veterinary Medicine alumnus (1961)

Foundation Philosophy: The Hummels' philanthropic approach centers on "paying it forward" as alumni who benefited from higher education. As quoted in university materials, they created the foundation to support students who demonstrate "leadership skills, financial need, contributions to society, and [are] the first member of their family to attend college."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

There is NO direct application process to the Hummel Family Foundation. The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications from organizations or directly from individual students.

For Students: All scholarships are administered through the seven partnering universities. Prospective students must:

  1. Apply for admission to one of the partnering universities (Rockhurst University, University of Missouri, Ohio State University, University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado State University, University of Denver, or University of Northern Colorado)

  2. Complete the university's scholarship application process:

    • At Rockhurst University: Eligible students are contacted in early spring with scholarship application information
    • At University of Colorado Boulder: Access the CU Boulder Scholarship Application shortly after applying for admission; submit FAFSA for need-based consideration
    • At University of Northern Colorado: Graduate-level applications must be received by October 1 the academic year prior to program start
    • At other institutions: Contact the respective scholarship or financial aid office

  3. Submit required materials which typically include:

    • Essay
    • Letters of recommendation
    • FAFSA (financial aid application)
    • Interview with selection committee (may be required)

For Organizations: The foundation does not make grants to nonprofit organizations or institutions beyond the established scholarship partnerships.

Decision Timeline

Rockhurst University: Eligible students contacted in early spring; scholarship decisions made prior to fall enrollment

University of Colorado Boulder: Leeds and CU Boulder Scholarship Application open November 1; deadline in March

Award Notification: Varies by institution; typically students are notified several months before the start of the academic year

Success Rates

While specific acceptance rates are not published, the foundation made 22 scholarship awards in 2023 and 26 awards in 2022 across all seven universities. At Rockhurst University alone, approximately 20 students received awards in the first year of the program (2017-2018).

The University of Missouri has awarded scholarships to over 270 recipients since the program's inception.

Renewal and Continuation

Students must maintain eligibility to continue receiving scholarship funding:

  • Minimum 2.75 cumulative GPA
  • Full-time enrollment
  • Good academic and conduct standing
  • Participation in annual appreciation events and activities (at some institutions)

Students receiving maximum $30,000 awards at Rockhurst University have on-campus living requirements.

Application Success Factors

Since applications are submitted through university scholarship offices rather than directly to the foundation, success factors are based on the foundation's documented priorities and university selection criteria:

Critical Selection Criteria

  1. Financial Need (Primary Factor)

    • Demonstrated through FAFSA
    • Foundation's vision explicitly states support for "students with significant financial need to obtain career opportunities that only a university degree will provide"
    • Students should clearly articulate financial barriers to education

  2. First-Generation College Student Status (Strong Preference)

    • Foundation consistently emphasizes this priority across all programs
    • Students should highlight being "the first member of their family to attend college"

  3. Leadership and Community Contribution

    • Demonstrated through volunteerism
    • Evidence of good citizenship
    • Extracurricular activities
    • One scholarship recipient noted the foundation values students who contribute to society

  4. Academic Standing

    • Minimum 2.75 GPA requirement
    • Commitment to full-time enrollment and degree completion
    • Good academic and conduct standing

  5. Essay Quality

    • Application includes essay requirement at most institutions
    • Should demonstrate alignment with foundation values
    • Focus on how education will create career opportunities previously unavailable

Student Testimonials on Impact

Scholarship recipients have shared insights about what the award meant to them:

"Receiving the Hummel Scholarship meant so much to me. It allowed me to focus solely on the program without having to worry about financing school and dealing with all of the extra costs involved in licensing."

"I firmly believe I wouldn't have this opportunity if I didn't have the financial support of this scholarship."

Strategic Advice

  • Target the partnering universities: Only students at the seven designated institutions are eligible
  • Emphasize financial need: This is the primary criterion across all programs
  • Highlight first-generation status: If applicable, make this prominent in your application
  • Demonstrate community impact: Show meaningful volunteerism and leadership beyond academics
  • Apply early: Submit admission applications and scholarship materials as early as possible
  • Complete FAFSA: Essential for need-based consideration
  • Prepare for potential interview: Some programs require selection committee interviews

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Important Note: This foundation is not suitable for organizational grant seeking. Key points:

  • No organizational grants: The foundation exclusively provides scholarships to individual students at seven specific universities—it does not fund nonprofit organizations, programs, or institutional projects
  • No public application process: There is no mechanism for organizations to apply for funding
  • University partnerships only: All grants flow through established scholarship programs at partnering institutions
  • Student-focused: The foundation's $5 million in annual giving goes entirely to individual student scholarships, not organizational grants
  • Trustee discretion: Grant decisions appear to be made through the foundation's partnership agreements with universities rather than through competitive application processes
  • Not accepting unsolicited proposals: Organizations seeking funding should not approach this foundation

For individual students:

  • First-generation college status and significant financial need are the strongest success factors
  • Applications must go through one of the seven partnering universities
  • Awards can be substantial (up to $30,000 annually) and renewable with maintained eligibility
  • Leadership, community service, and commitment to degree completion are valued alongside need

References

All sources accessed December 24, 2025.

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