The Esther Funds Foundation Story

"Esther Funds Foundation was never just an idea. It was an assignment.

I founded EFF in 2023, and it became officially incorporated on January 23, 2024—now known as our Founders Day. But the story didn’t start there. It started in childhood, when school felt more like survival than a place to grow.

I always loved education. I loved the idea of becoming someone, beating the odds, making my family proud. But I struggled in silence. I was bullied for how I talked, how I learned, how I showed up. I wrestled with a learning disability and ADHD, which made focusing in class extremely difficult. I remember feeling like something was wrong with me—like I didn’t belong.

By high school, I was barely hanging on. My GPA had dropped to a 1.7. My report cards were filled with D’s and F’s. I was dealing with depression and didn’t have the words to explain what I was going through. A guidance counselor told me I should consider dropping out. Others told me I should just attend a trade school. But deep in my heart, I knew there was more—I just didn’t know how to get there.

College didn’t come easy either. I dropped out more than once. I took semesters off. I questioned if I was called for this or if I was just pretending. But the thing is—God never gave up on me. Even when I gave up on myself.

In 2022, everything changed. I entered a season of isolation—a quiet place where God could deal with me directly. I rededicated my life to Christ in private. I fasted. I prayed. And during one of those fasts, the Lord led me to the Book of Esther. I didn’t understand why at the time. I just knew I was being called to something bigger than me.

When I got to Florida A&M University, I saw it clearly: students were struggling—not just academically, but emotionally, financially, spiritually. And I heard God say, “This is why I brought you here.”

I started small. My first project was a toy and book drive for local children. At first, no one donated. I cried. I doubted myself again. I was ready to shut everything down. But God whispered to me: “Trust Me.” And that whisper turned into hundreds of donations pouring in from people I didn’t even know.

That’s when I knew this wasn’t just a project. It was purpose.

I told God, “If you let me do this, I want to help college students. I want to be who I needed.” And from that moment forward, I walked in obedience—even when I was scared.

Since then, Esther Funds Foundation has launched over 10 collegiate chapters across the nation. We’ve served hundreds of students and we’re just getting started. Our mission is to prevent college dropouts and remind students that their future is still possible. We do this through emergency support, mentorship, faith-based encouragement, and national campaigns.

I believe with all my heart that EFF was born for such a time as this.

This is my testimony. This is God’s work. This is Esther Funds Foundation."

- Shayna Vincent, Founder & CEO