The Foundation supports those willing to build a better future for themselves and their community through hard work, academic excellence, and a commitment to sharing success with others.
“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.”
These values, crafted to mirror the passions of Homer and Dolly Hand, drive our unwavering commitment to assist with the costs of education and empowering individuals through knowledge and opportunity.
We recognize the intrinsic value of community and are deeply invested in enriching the lives of its members through impactful initiatives. When we lift our fellow community members up, everyone benefits. With stewardship as our compass, we navigate our endeavors responsibly, ensuring that our actions leave a positive and lasting imprint on those we service in the beautiful Glades area and beyond.
We provide scholarship grants to students to assist in their continued education and for the betterment of their future endeavors.
We work to enable others to succeed by leveraging its influence, support, and encouragement.
We manage the assets and resources entrusted to the Foundation in a careful and responsible manner for the benefit of all we serve.
We encourage the funding and participation in activities of the community to bring people together and improve the quality of life for future generations.
We grant funds to professionally managed, sustainable nonprofits to achieve the most significant impact. Purposeful outreach efforts are also considered to further diversify the Foundation’s charitable reach.
The Hand Foundation assists students with annual grants for four years of undergraduate education at an accredited university/college or trade school. As a truly private Foundation this entity has existed with the noble and meritorious philosophy of its founders, Dolly and Homer Hand. It is with this spirit that the Foundation continues the legacy that has been nurtured with continued educational support, charitable endeavors, and purposeful outreach.
Frances "Dolly" Rutledge Hand considered by many as the matriarch of Belle Glade and its guardian angel is born at Good Samaritan Hospital in West Palm Beach, Florida on December 20, 1928, to her pioneering parents, Fleming L. “Slim” Rutledge and Frances Post Rutledge. The Rutledges move to Belle Glade in 1926 and experience the “Killer Hurricane of 1928." Barely surviving the storm herself, Mrs. Rutledge gives birth three months later to a tiny baby girl that would affectionately be known as “Dolly."
Ironically, 1928 is known as the year that 3,000 lives were lost in the Glades, but it was also the year that brought the birth of someone who would ultimately have a profound and positive effect on the lives of many more people. This same year, Homer Hand is born in Labelle, Florida on January 15, 1928, to Homer G. Hand, Sr., and Pauline Manning Hand.
Dolly grows up in Belle Glade and graduates from Belle Glade High School at the tender age of 15! From there onto Palm Beach Junior College (now Palm Beach State College), Stetson University, and Stetson Law School. Pretty, athletic, and brilliant, Dolly has plenty of opportunities to have fun at college, but she also possesses a fierce work ethic and a laser focus on the task at hand that distinguishes her as the remarkable young lady she would become. Dolly receives her LLB degree from Stetson Law School in 1946, where she becomes not only the youngest to obtain a Stetson law degree at age 20, but also the first woman to graduate from Stetson law school.
Homer attends Clewiston High School and leaves to join the U.S. Navy in 1945 as World War II is coming to a climax, serving in the Pacific through 1946.
Homer marries his cherished Dolly on June 6, 1954, the tenth anniversary of D-Day. The newlyweds make their home in Belle Glade and live there the rest of their lives.
Homer and Dolly excel in real estate and agriculture and become extraordinary benefactors to their community while profoundly impacting the lives of thousands in the Glades area. The Hands’ philanthropy becomes legendary in Belle Glade, but they also lead by teaching integrity, generosity, hard work, faithfulness and community service… all through their examples and deeds.
While Dolly Hand is growing up in the Glades, there are no cultural facilities to be found, no colleges or universities nearby. Dolly becomes a staunch advocate and is instrumental in bringing Palm Beach Community College to the Glades in 1977. She leads the effort to create a performing arts center for the Belle Glade community, which opens in 1982 and now bears her name.
Today, children in the Glades travel by school bus to experience professional performances at the region’s only cultural arts center at the Belle Glade branch of Palm Beach State College.
The Hands’ educational and cultural commitments lead to vital community programs, such as the Center’s CAFE (Cultural Arts for Education) Series, which serves more than 12,000 students each year.
The Hand Foundation, Inc. is created to help aspiring students achieve a college education. As a truly private Foundation this entity exists with the noble and meritorious philosophy of its founders, Homer and Dolly Hand.
The Hand Foundation continues to make higher education a reality for many individuals that endeavor to further their studies and careers.
Dolly serves an Olympic torch bearer for the 1996 Olympics.
The Homer and Dolly Hand Art Center at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida opens in 2002. The center promotes art appreciation and scholarship via exhibitions, events, and outreach.
The Stetson University College of Law in Gulfport, Florida names its law library in honor of Dolly and Homer Hand in 2010.
Helping hundreds of students since its inception, The Hand Foundation has now assisted on a multigenerational basis while making a lasting impact in the Glades community and beyond.
Homer Hand passes in November of 2022.
Dolly Hand passes in January of 2024.
Belle Glade loses its two guardian angels. A void in the community is felt, however, the Hands’ outstanding legacy will continue into the future through the meaningful work of The Hand Foundation.
This letter should include a biography and list of notable achievements from your time in high school and/or college. Include your full name, address, phone, and email. This letter should be well written and concise.
When completed, please mail to:
The Hand Foundation, Inc.
9100 Belvedere Road, Suite 210
Royal Palm Beach, FL 33411
Applications will be provided to candidates via regular mail after letter of interest is received and reviewed. Grants are awarded based on merit and budget after completed application is returned.
“I’ve come to understand that life is wonderful and it’s what you make of it that counts.”
