The future of my nation begins with my education.

The future of my nation begins
with my education.

Featured News

Native American Heritage Month

November is Native American Heritage Month – an opportunity to not only celebrate who we are and where we come from, but also the future and where we are going. As our friend and ally, we invite you to join us! There has never been a better or more important time to deepen your knowledge of Native issues, to honor the contributions of our people, to confront the darker parts of our past, or to use your voice to amplify ours!

Featured Students

Native American Heritage Month – Scholar Shout Out

It’s Native American Heritage Month! Learn how our current and former Native scholars are taking the world by storm. Our graduates are changing the world by saving the land, decorating the friendly skies, and rocketing to outer space.

Featured Students

Native American Heritage Month – Scholar Shout Out

It’s Native American Heritage Month! Learn how our former Native scholars are taking the world by storm. Our graduates are changing the world by saving the land, decorating the friendly skies, and rocketing to outer space.

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

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.

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From Our President

There is No “Respectful” Way to Use a Racial Slur

It is not enough to remove mascots publicly. We demand mascots be eliminated permanently on all fronts because mascots, words, and behaviors work to perpetuate old and harmful stereotypes about Indigenous people. Instead, we must celebrate and respect the vibrant role of Indigenous people in both American historical and modern times.

Affirmative Action Struck Down

The American Indian College Fund is disheartened and concerned that the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College will impinge on the equitable access to an affordable higher education for American Indian and Alaska Natives and other diverse student groups. We refuse to let this decision reverse decades of progress in educational achievement which has benefitted talented and accomplished Native students and other diverse students with the opportunity for an affordable higher education, along with their families, and their communities.  

Featured News

American Indian College Fund and Pendleton Woolen Mills Student Blanket Contest Opens November 15

The American Indian College Fund and Pendleton Woolen Mills, the international lifestyle brand headquartered in Portland, Oregon, are announcing they are accepting submissions for The Tribal College Blanket Design Contest, beginning November 15. All American Indian and Alaska Native students attending a tribal college or university are eligible to submit one or several designs in the competition, which awards scholarships and cash prizes to the top three designers.

Student News

The American Indian College Fund Announces 2023-24 Student Ambassadors

The American Indian College Fund named 11 Native students to the 2023-24 cohort of its Student Ambassador Program. Students named to the program are trained in leadership and communications skills to create greater visibility of Native Americans and generate an understanding of the importance of their diverse cultures.

News from our Progams Team

College Fund Programs Team

American Indian College Fund Announces 2023-24 Indigenous Visionaries Cohort

The Indigenous Visionaries: Women’s Leadership Program (Indigenous Visionaries) at the American Indian College Fund (College Fund) supports the empowerment and success of Native women faculty and staff at tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) through a ten-month fellowship. Participating fellows receive a $4,000 stipend and place-based and experiential professional and personal development through guided training and cultural learning from College Fund staff and a broad network of Native women leaders.

Building the Capacity of Early Childhood Education through Innovative Indigenous Approaches: Integrating Indigenous Culture, Philosophy, and Pedagogy into ECE Programming

The 2022-2023 Ihduwiyayapi: Advancing Indigenous Early Childhood Education program grant from the American Indian College Fund at Little Priest Tribal College, titled Building the Capacity of Early Childhood Education through Innovative Indigenous Approaches, supported the Early Childhood Education (ECE) program at Little Priest Tribal College (LPTC) in a variety of ways to help indigenize ECE programming, curriculum, instruction, pathways, and the total educational experience of early childhood students.

College Fund in the News

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.

Native Bidaské (Spotlight): Emily White Hat Speaks About College Fund’s New Teacher Education Program

Native News OnlineMarch 30, 2023

Native Bidaské (Spotlight) is a live interview program on Native News Online, a leading Native media outlet. This week Levi Rickert, Publisher and Editor, interviewed Emily White Hat about the need for Native teachers as role models and leaders in their communities and the American Indian College Fund’s new program to encourage Native community members to enter the teaching profession.

United Health Foundation working to diversify the health workforce

UHGMarch 7, 2023

The new Diversity in Health Care Scholarship program is advancing this goal—and United Health Foundation’s commitment to addressing this need will include the American Indian College Fund by providing scholarships for current and future Native health professionals.

Ask Amy Names American Indian College Fund a Charity of Choice for Second Year

Ask AmyDec 26, 2022

Nationally syndicated columnist Amy Dickinson has named the College Fund as a charity of choice for the second straight year in her column, “Ask Amy.” This honor speaks highly of the work we do every day to provide access to higher education and programs for the continued success of Native students.

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