A Pathway Forward: $900K In-N-Out Burger Foundation Grant Fuels Foster Youth Support at Vanguard
Vanguard University received a $900,000 Legacy Grant from the In-N-Out Burger Foundation (INOBF)—becoming the first private university to earn this extraordinary funding. This meaningful gift and partnership established the Headwind Scholars, a scholarship program providing foster youth with financial aid, academic resources, and holistic support to ensure their success in higher education.
“We’re immensely grateful to the In-N-Out Burger Foundation for their commitment to providing opportunity for foster youth and making the Headwind Scholars program possible,” said Dr. Michael J. Beals, president of Vanguard University. “With this additional funding, and the support of others who are motivated to come alongside In-N-Out Burger Foundation’s generosity, we are confident in the long-term impact we can make to partner, encourage, mentor, and guide these students throughout their academic careers.”
“The In-N-Out Burger Foundation is dedicated to supporting children who have faced abuse and neglect, and believes in creating pathways for their success,” said Howard Booker, MBA ’08, executive director of INOBF. “Through our long-standing commitment to foster youth pursuing higher education, we are honored to support Vanguard University’s Headwind Scholars program. This gift represents our vision of empowering students in a Christian college environment, enhancing resources for current and future foster care system graduates to thrive academically and beyond.”
As part of this initiative, Vanguard appointed Mark Orphan ’95 as the Headwind Scholars Director to oversee the program and develop partnerships to reach college-bound foster youth. Orphan, co-founder of the nonprofit Finally Home, has dedicated decades to foster care, kinship support, and adoption advocacy. A VU graduate with a master’s in leadership studies and a bachelor’s in leadership, he is also a pastor and certified StratOp and LifePlan Guide.
“Our students have experienced extreme headwinds (forces out of their control) that have at the very least slowed their progress, becoming devastating in many cases,” said Orphan on the naming of the program. “We are helping our students to lift their perspective and find hope that can turn their headwinds into success instead of pushing them down.
“The transforming layers of support the Headwind Scholars Program offers our students can be the turning point that teaches them to face future challenges as opportunities to elevate their perspective and embrace the underlying personal growth potential,” Orphan continued.
A current Headwinds participant graduated in May with a bachelor’s degree in biology with a concentration in biomedical science. “The focused support from Vanguard’s Counseling Center, Disability Services, and Career Center really helped me readjust my thinking of myself, my grades, and my mental health,” said Tilda Khair ’25.
While initially struggling academically, Khair improved her academics and graduated with a GPA above 3.2. Tilde was matched with a Vanguard alum/mentor who is supporting her preparation for medical school placement exams.
Vanguard has a long-standing commitment to supporting students with foster care backgrounds. Since 2018, the Glenn S. Kraiss Memorial Scholarship has helped bridge financial gaps for these students, covering tuition, housing, and essential expenses. However, its reach has been limited. With INOBF’s generous grant, VU is now positioned to expand its infrastructure and provide sustained resources for foster youth, ensuring a lasting impact.
