Press, Media, Financials

Media Inquiries

Reporters: Please contact Dina Horwedel at dhorwedel@collegefund.org or 303-426-8900

Speaker Requests: To request a speaker from our organization for your conference or event, please submit the request form.

Press Releases

American Indian College Fund Hosts Webinar on Native Higher Education Access and Success Strategies with Brookings Institute and Institute for Higher Education Policy

American Indian College Fund Hosts Webinar on Native Higher Education Access and Success Strategies with Brookings Institute and Institute for Higher Education Policy

The American Indian College Fund (College Fund), the Brookings Institute (Brookings), and the Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP) are releasing a report focused on ways to ensure Indigenous students’ continued access to higher education and success.

Jonathan Breaker, TCU Student Success Program Officer, Earns Strategic Enrollment Management Endorsement

Jonathan Breaker, TCU Student Success Program Officer, Earns Strategic Enrollment Management Endorsement

Jonathan Breaker, Tribal Colleges and Universities Student Success Program Officer at the American Indian College Fund, has earned the Strategic Enrollment Management Endorsement from the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers (AACRAO). Breaker is among an elite group of only 83 individuals internationally and is the first person from the state of New Mexico to earn this endorsement. Breaker is receiving the SEM Endorsement Badge through Credly and his name will soon appear in the national registry.

Save the Date: Rateliff Sings Rateliff | Denver EATSS Returns with Indigenous Cuisine, Art, and Nathaniel Rateliff with Colorado Symphony

Save the Date: Rateliff Sings Rateliff | Denver EATSS Returns with Indigenous Cuisine, Art, and Nathaniel Rateliff with Colorado Symphony

The Colorado Symphony and the American Indian College Fund proudly announce a thrilling collaboration with acclaimed singer-songwriter Nathaniel Rateliff for two unforgettable performances on April 11 and 12, 2025, at Denver’s Boettcher Concert Hall, with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the American Indian College Fund. The concert will feature new orchestrations of Rateliff’s most beloved songs, showcasing his signature sound reimagined through the lush and dynamic lens of a full symphony orchestra.

Save the Date: Twin Cities EATSS Returns with Indigenous Cuisine, Art and Music Featuring Grammy-Winner Rufus Wainwright

Save the Date: Twin Cities EATSS Returns with Indigenous Cuisine, Art and Music Featuring Grammy-Winner Rufus Wainwright

The American Indian College Fund is thrilled to announce the return of its celebrated Twin Cities EATSS (Epicurean Award to Support Scholars) event, taking place Tuesday, February 18, 2025, at the iconic Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis. This one-of-a-kind evening celebrates the vibrancy of Native culture through exceptional Indigenous cuisine, original art, and a performance by three-time-Grammy Award-winning artist Rufus Wainwright.

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.

scholarships awarded in 2023-24

million in scholarships for 2023-24

first year scholars in 2023-24

scholars served since 1989

million awarded since 1989

College Fund Reports

Other Resources

Strategic Plan 2022-26 View
Impact Report (4 pager) 2023-24 View
Research and Reports View
Organization Biographies View
Logos (Zip File) Download
Advertising View

Requests for printed materials can be made by calling 303-426-8900 or by email at info@collegefund.org.

American Indian College Fund 
Federal Tax ID EIN number: 52-1573446

Student Biographies

Student Biography Samantha Maltais

Deanna
(Navajo)

Growing up on the Navajo reservation in Blue Gap, Arizona, Deanna learned early in life that determination and focus are the keys to lifting oneself out of adversity.

Student Biography Samantha Maltais

Sam
(Cherokee)

Sam’s chosen career path is all about words – using words to teach, to change hearts and minds, to rewrite truthful history, to document and preserve culture and language, and to shape the future. Sam’s vision for all Native people is to have a voice, and he wonders what our world would look like today if Native voices had been included in the growth and evolution of our country.

Student Biography Jamie Artussee

Promise
(Yankton and Santee Sioux)

“Resilience is in my DNA,” says Promise, reflecting on her upbringing. Surrounded by instability, drug abuse, and a responsibility to protect her younger siblings, Promise views her education as proof that nothing will stop her from achieving her goals.

Student Biography Jamie Artussee

Selena
(Pascua Yaqui)

Throughout her journey, Selena has seen the barriers that prevent her people from traveling on the path they want to take. Being a single mom with four kids, two of whom have special needs, she has first-hand experience with the lack of resources and culturally centered support available in Native communities. This is why Selena has taken it upon herself to receive the education she needs to be a guiding light for her tribal community and help clear a better path for them.

Campaigns and Advertising

The American Indian College Fund accepts donations of advertising time and space.

Please direct advertising inquiries to (303) 426-8900.