Circle
of Hope

Special Edition 2024

Generational Trauma
is Real- and Important
to Ackowledge

Cheryl Crazy Bull - headshot

Circle
of Hope

Special Edition 2024

Cheryl Crazy Bull - headshot

Generational Trauma
is Real- and Important
to Ackowledge

Our Vision

Since its founding in 1989, the American Indian College Fund has been the nation’s largest charity supporting Native student access to higher education. We provide scholarships and programming for American Indian and Alaska Native students to access higher education. And once students are in college, we provide them with the tools and support to succeed.

This Native American Heritage Month President Cheryl Crazy Bull of the American Indian College Fund shares how your support helps Native American students—and why it matters more than ever.

Our Events

Book Club: Deborah Taffa

November 26th, 2024

Deborah Jackson Taffa, author of “Whiskey Tender”, discusses her work with College Fund President Cheryl Crazy Bull as part of our Native American Heritage Month 2024 Book Club series.

Twin City EATSS

February 18th, 2025

Rescheduled to Spring 2025, this one-night-only event aims to bring together the tradition and diversity of Native culture and expression, served to you at the esteemed Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis.

Denver EATSS

April 11th and 12th, 2025

Originally home to more than 10 nations, Colorado is steeped in American Indian roots. Today, we are excited to bring back a night of total immersion in Native culture, with art, food, discussion, and music from Indigenous creators.

American Indian boarding school students. U.S. Library of Congress.

Featured News

President Biden Apologizes on Federal Boarding School Policy

Cheryl Crazy Bull, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund, said, “The legacy of boarding schools touches nearly every Native American alive today. This federal policy with a goal of total assimilation of Native people saw abuses perpetuated on our family members across several generations. Yet this dark period in American history is largely unknown to non-Natives. I hope President Biden’s apology not only raises awareness of true Native history in our country but is a step towards national reconciliation and healing.”

American Indian boarding school students. U.S. Library of Congress.

Our Impact

MILLION

Invested into Native Communities

SCHOLARSHIPS

Awarded since 1989

%

OF OUR SCHOLARS

Give back to their communities

How Your Donations are Used

4%

Management and General

23%

Fundraising

73%

Scholarships, Programs, and Public Education

A Commitment to Donors

Guidestar

2023 Gold Seal of Transparency

Best Charity

Certified by America’s best charities

Charity Navigator

View our Charity Navigator profile

BBB Wise Giving Alliance

View our give.org charity profile

Tribal Colleges and Universities

Tribal colleges and universities provide dynamic higher education opportunities, most on or near reservation lands. Known for their remarkable programs, culturally-relevant curricula, and familial student care – tribal colleges allow students to further their careers, attain an advanced degree, or better support their communities.

Recent Blog Posts

From Our President

In Defense of Democracy

Cheryl Crazy Bull’s Veteran’s Day Election Statement reflects on the resilience and sacrifice of Native American veterans, emphasizes the need for unity in defending democracy and Indigenous rights, and underscores the critical role of education in empowering future generations of Native communities.

read more

Press Release

FOR STUDENTS

Vicki Besaw – A Dissertation Story

Vicki Besaw, a member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Lake Superior Ojibwe Tribe, pursued her doctorate at age 54 to help students heal from trauma through storytelling. Working at the College of Menominee Nation, she used Indigenous story methodology to create a safe space for students to explore their life stories and understand the impact of trauma. Her research not only supported her students but also sparked intergenerational healing within her own family. Vicki aims to integrate her findings into the curriculum and publish her stories to reach a broader audience.

read more

Programs

Featured News

In Defense of Democracy

Cheryl Crazy Bull’s Veteran’s Day Election Statement reflects on the resilience and sacrifice of Native American veterans, emphasizes the need for unity in defending democracy and Indigenous rights, and underscores the critical role of education in empowering future generations of Native communities.

Highlighting Indigenous Innovation on Indigenous Peoples Day 

This Monday, October 14, marks Indigenous Peoples Day, a day to honor and celebrate the histories and cultures of Native peoples here in the United States. As of last Indigenous Peoples Day in 2023, approximately 195 cities and states recognized the holiday. Here at the American Indian College Fund, we want to take this day to highlight some of the amazing contributions Indigenous peoples have made to the world and share a preview of our upcoming Native American Heritage Month activities. 

Student News

Vicki Besaw – A Dissertation Story

Vicki Besaw, a member of the Lac Courte Oreilles Lake Superior Ojibwe Tribe, pursued her doctorate at age 54 to help students heal from trauma through storytelling. Working at the College of Menominee Nation, she used Indigenous story methodology to create a safe space for students to explore their life stories and understand the impact of trauma. Her research not only supported her students but also sparked intergenerational healing within her own family. Vicki aims to integrate her findings into the curriculum and publish her stories to reach a broader audience.

News from our Progams Team

College Fund Programs Team

A New Direction

The complexity of Native people and their identities drew Anna to sculpture, video performance, and installation. She uses her familial and formal training to disrupt stereotypes of Natives by telling multi-dimensional stories. The story drives her choice of technique and materials, defying boundaries around Native art.

College Fund in the News

Tribal College Campuses Are Falling Apart. The U.S. Hasn’t Fulfilled Its Promise to Fund the Schools.

ProPublicaOct 14, 2024

Learn why current conditions at tribal colleges and universities make it imperative to receive full funding to attract new programs, students, faculty, and staff.

Cheryl Crazy Bull Publishes Brief on Native Student College Access

The Campaign for College Opportunity has published "Ensuring College Access and Success for American Indian/Alaska Native Students,” authored by Cheryl Crazy Bull, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund. This latest publication is part of the Campaign for College Opportunity's "Affirming Equity, Ensuring Inclusion, and Empowering Action," a national initiative that elevates best practices supporting the college preparation, admission, affordability, and success of minoritized students.

Jasmine Seeks Role as Voice for Her People and Environment as University of Michigan Law Student

University of Michigan LawOct 18, 2023

College Fund student ambassador Jasmine (Menominee) has long been an environmental activist in her community, which depends upon the environment for its economic livelihood. Today she is studying at the University of Michigan Law School to pursue a career as an attorney working in litigation and appeals after realizing that the aspect of the environmental movement that affects her the most is social justice.

Congratulations Dyani White Hawk

MacArthur FoundationOct 4, 2023

The American Indian College Fund congratulates Dyani White Hawk (Lakota), multidisciplinary artist and tribal college and university graduate, who was named a 2023 MacArthur Fellow. Read more about Ms. White Hawk, her prestigious achievement, and her art.

Higher Education Leaders Respond To Court’s Affirmative Action Ruling

ForbesJune 30, 2023

Forbes offers perspectives from several higher education experts on the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to strike down affirmative action and shares hope for colleges and universities to still achieve diversity with a little bit of creativity.

Barack Obama says affirmative action ‘allowed generations of students like Michelle and me to prove we belonged’

Yahoo! NewsJune 30, 2023

In sharing his own experience with affirmative action, Former President Barack Obama also noted the American Indian College Fund and other organizations that support students who have historically been systemically excluded from pursuing higher education. Learn more in the article shared by Yahoo.