Honda Establishes $10 Million Fund for HBCU Support

The Honda USA Foundation has announced the creation of the Drive the Legacy Fund, a new $10 million endowment aimed at providing long-term financial stability for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). This initiative, announced on September 17, 2026, builds on Honda's nearly 40-year history of supporting these institutions by focusing on sustainable investment in their core operational needs.

New Fund Targets HBCU Challenges

The Drive the Legacy Fund was established to address persistent challenges faced by many HBCUs. Research and needs assessments identified common issues, including chronic underfunding, significant capital investment gaps, and aging physical infrastructure. Many institutions also contend with deficits in digital and technology infrastructure, alongside difficulties in faculty recruitment and retention.

This $10 million Honda HBCU fund is designed to provide sustainable, long-term investment that helps these institutions strengthen their operations. According to Marcos Frommer, executive director of the Honda USA Foundation, the fund will enable HBCUs to modernize critical infrastructure and position themselves for sustained success for generations to come.

Grant Structure and Application Process

The Drive the Legacy Fund will distribute grants through two primary award categories. The first, Infrastructure & Technology, covers areas such as facilities repair and modernization, digital systems and connectivity, cybersecurity improvements, and smart-campus technologies. The second category, Institutional Capacity, supports faculty recruitment and retention, administrative and operational capacity, professional development opportunities, and initiatives that enhance institutional effectiveness.

Individual institutional grants are expected to range from $100,000 to $250,000 annually, with awards available for up to two years. These grants are intended to support transformational projects that strengthen institutional operations. The fund will initially focus on accredited four-year HBCU institutions located within states where Honda maintains major operations and a strong community presence.

The application process for the Honda HBCU fund will commence in March 2027 with a competitive Letter of Intent phase to assess alignment with the fund's priorities. Following this review, selected institutions will be invited to submit full grant applications for competitive funding consideration.

Decades of Honda Support for HBCUs

Honda has supported the success of HBCU students for nearly 40 years through various programs. These include the Honda Campus All-Star Challenge, the Drive the Legacy Initiative, and the Honda Battle of the Bands. Collectively, these initiatives have impacted over 350,000 students and provided more than $16 million in grants for HBCU education programs and facilities improvements.

The new Drive the Legacy Fund complements Honda's existing