The CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund was established after 9/11 to help emerging designers and cultivate the next generation of American fashion talent. Since its inception, 200 designers have received mentoring and a total of more than $8 million. Of the designers who have gone through the CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund, 42 percent of those brands are fully or partially women owned, and 40 percent are fully or partially minority owned. 

Past finalists and winners include Alejandra Alonso Rojas, Billy Reid, Bode, Christopher John Rogers, Jonathan Simkhai, Joseph Altuzarra, KidSuper, Melitta Baumeister, Proenza Schouler, Telfar, Thom Browne, Sandy Liang, and Wiederhoeft.