Disclaimer: Last Bison Standing is not affiliated with Howard University or the Howard University Alumni Association in any way- the University does not control, operate, or endorse our organization.

Last Bison Standing is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization powered by alumni, undergraduates, and supporters committed to helping Bison remain enrolled, overcome financial barriers, and make it across the stage.

Our work is funded through a combination of licensed Howard apparel sales, charitable donations, grants, sponsorships, and community partnerships. These resources allow us to provide scholarships, direct student support, emergency assistance, and community-based initiatives designed to meet needs that may extend beyond traditional financial aid.

We believe supporting a student requires more than simply raising money. Our model brings alumni, students, donors, volunteers, and community partners together to create resources, opportunities, and a culture of service that encourages Bison to help the Bison coming behind them.

UPDATE: SEPTEMBER 13, 2026

Effective September 1, 2026

Applicant, Recipient & Ambassador Expectations

As our organization continues to grow, so must the structure, accountability, and expectations surrounding participation in our programs.

Effective September 1, 2026, we have established updated standards for individuals seeking assistance from, representing, or participating in opportunities through our organization. These expectations are intended to ensure that our relationship with those we support is built on mutual participation, accountability, service, and respect for the community that makes our work possible.

DEFINITIONS

Applicants

Individuals seeking to become either an Ambassador or Recipient of our organization.

Recipients

Individuals who receive any form of financial assistance or financial support from our organization or participating partners.

Ambassadors

Individuals who voluntarily assist our organization in spreading awareness of our mission, programs, initiatives, fundraising efforts, and community impact.

Models 

Individuals who voluntarily participate in photoshoots or promotional content featuring apparel associated with our organization, sponsors, or brand partnerships.

Modeling opportunities are considered volunteer service. Models are not financially compensated for participating in photoshoots, and participation does not automatically entitle an individual to complimentary apparel, photographs, or other compensation. Complimentary apparel or other benefits may be offered at the discretion of our advisors, sponsors, photographers, and brand partners.

RECIPIENT FILE REQUIREMENTS

All Recipients are required to maintain the following current materials on file with our organization:

Professional headshot

Current résumé

Personal statement

These materials allow our organization to appropriately present recipients when identifying potential donors, sponsors, partnerships, scholarships, professional opportunities, and other resources that may benefit them.

PARTICIPATION & SERVICE EXPECTATIONS

Receiving support from our organization also comes with an expectation of participation in the community helping make that support possible.

Recipients may be required to:

Participate in organizational photoshoots and approved media opportunities.*

Participate in videos, interviews, testimonials, and other promotional content related to the organization and its initiatives.

Submit thank-you letters and/or thank-you videos when requested for donors, sponsors, partners, or supporters.

Participate in organizational fundraising efforts and campaigns.

Submit a sponsorship packet and provide updated materials when necessary.

Complete required community service hours.

Maintain a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Assist with packing and fulfillment of apparel orders when called upon.

Participate in other reasonable media, outreach, promotional, or service activities connected to the programs from which they receive support.

*Recipients who are fostered, adopted, or otherwise covered by our protected-recipient media policy are exempt from public organizational photoshoot requirements. Their privacy and personal circumstances will continue to be handled with additional consideration.

A CULTURE OF RECIPROCITY

Support Comes With Partnership

Our programs are not designed around a transactional relationship in which individuals simply receive financial assistance and disappear.

The resources available to our Recipients exist because alumni, donors, volunteers, sponsors, vendors, photographers, creatives, community partners, and other supporters contribute their own money, time, skills, and resources.

We therefore ask those who benefit from that support to contribute to the community in ways available to them.

That may mean maintaining academic standards. 

It may mean completing community service. 

It may mean helping pack orders, participating in a fundraiser, recording a thank-you video, sharing their story, or helping us demonstrate the impact of the support they received.

Not every Recipient will contribute in exactly the same way, but participation and accountability are expected.

Our goal is not simply to provide assistance.

Our goal is to create a community in which those who are helped understand the importance of helping the next Bison who comes behind them.