Following Van's passing in 2007, the Al VanNevel Memorial Foundation was created to reward high-achieving deaf students and student athletes with scholarships to assist with their academic and financial needs.  Deserving student athletes at Gallaudet University are eligible for the annual Albert Van Nevel Athletic Award; undergraduate students who are studying at Gallaudet, Rochester Institute of Technology or National Technical Institute for the Deaf are also eligible for scholarships based on academic excellence.

The Al Van Nevel Memorial Foundation (Van Nevel Foundation) is a non-stock, not-for-profit corporation. In January, 2010, the IRS approved the foundation's application for the 501 (c) (3) not for profit status. Donations and gifts to the Van Nevel Foundation are tax deductible.

Its purposes shall focus exclusively on furthering and/or enhancing charitable, educational, and related purposes, for qualified deaf and hard of hearing individuals pursing advancement of their skills.

The objectives of the Foundation are as follows:

• To provide one (or more) annual Al Van Nevel Athletic Award for excellence to a deserving athlete attending Gallaudet Univeristy with a GPA of 3.5 or higher, who shows leadership on the court/field and who consistently exhibits good sportsmanship on and off the court/field.

• To provide one (or more) annual Al Van Nevel Scholar Award for excellence to a deserving Business Studies major at National Technical Institute of the Deaf with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, in cooperation with the Chair of the Department of Business Studies and the department faculty.

• To provide for advanced leadership training or seminars for young deaf adults, aged 25 to 40. Speakers/trainers to include successful Deaf business owners and/or Deaf organizational leaders.

• To provide one or more Handicap Champion (regular division) awards to MidWest Deaf Golfing Tournaments in memory of Al Van Nevel, who was an avid golfer and a past member of the MDGA.