Hearts for Community Service Scholarship 2026-2027

Introduction

Thank you for interest in the Hearts for Community Service Scholarship for the 2026-2027 academic year!
The Hearts for Community Service Scholarship, offered by Warrick Dunn Charities, Inc., is a merit‑based award that recognizes students who demonstrate a strong commitment to community service and leadership. The scholarship supports individuals pursuing post‑secondary education across a wide range of pathways, while honoring those who give back and work to create positive change in their communities. 

Description

The Hearts for Community Service Scholarship awards $5,000 to twenty‑eight (28) students who demonstrate a strong commitment to volunteer service and community impact while pursuing post‑secondary education.
Applicants must be residents of Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, or Wisconsin and plan to attend a post‑secondary institution during the Fall or Spring semester of the 2026–2027 academic year. This merit‑based scholarship recognizes students who are actively engaged in bettering their communities and who meet all eligibility requirements outlined below.
Eligibility RequirementsApplicants must:
Be actively involved in volunteer service within their local community
Be enrolled in or accepted to a post‑secondary institution for the 2026–2027 academic year
Be a resident of an eligible state listed above
Have a minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale
Required Application MaterialsAll applicants must submit the following documents:
Proof of post‑secondary enrollment (transcript, class schedule, or letter of acceptance)
Most recent transcript (may also serve as proof of enrollment)
Proof of residency (driver’s license or government‑issued ID)
Letters of Recommendation (2 required)
Letters must be written by individuals from organizations where the applicant currently volunteers or has volunteered previously
Each letter should describe the applicant’s volunteer roles and the impact of their service
Letters must include the writer’s full name, title, organization, email address, and direct phone number
Each letter should address (300–500 words each):
Length of time the student has volunteered with the organization
Volunteer roles held by the student
Impact of the student’s service on the community
Recommendation letters must be received by Tuesday, June 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST
Essay (minimum 500 words)
Applicants must answer all of the following prompts in a single essay:
Describe how you serve your community and the positive impact of your service
How has volunteering impacted your life?
How will this scholarship support your educational goals?
What does the opportunity to pursue post‑secondary education mean to you?
Submission GuidelinesAll application materials including the letters of recommendation must be submitted by Tuesday, June 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. EST
Accepted file formats: DOC, PDF, PNG, or JPEG
Incomplete or late submissions will not be considered.
Award Requirements & Contact InformationStudents selected to receive the scholarship will be required to submit a photo and video testimonial.
Click here to view examples from previous scholarship recipients.
For eligibility questions, please contact:
Ashley Manago, Program Director
[email protected]

Award Amount: $5,000.00

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Since 1997, Warrick Dunn Charities, Inc. (WDC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has been dedicated to empowering individuals and families to break the cycle of generational poverty and achieve a better quality of life. Inspired by the life journey of our Founder, WDC works to strengthen and transform communities by addressing critical needs through housing assistance, education, and holistic wellness initiatives.

WDC’s work began during Warrick Dunn’s inaugural season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, when he launched Homes for the Holidays to honor his late mother, Betty Smothers, and her lifelong dream of homeownership. After using his mother’s life insurance to purchase a home for himself and his younger siblings in 1993, Warrick saw firsthand how stability and hope can transform a family’s future. That belief became the foundation of Homes for the Holidays, which works with local housing organizations to support first‑time, single‑parent homeowners through fully furnished homes, down payment assistance, and stocked pantries.

Today, Warrick Dunn Charities has expanded beyond its namesake program to include Hearts for Community Service Scholarships and the SCULPT Brand of Health & Wellness. WDC continues to invest in communities by supporting students who demonstrate a commitment to community service and a desire to create positive change for themselves and others.