The Ichigo Foundation has gifted the American Indian College Fund a $100,000 award to support the Wounspe E’cetkiya O’takuye Piya A’yazunta Pi (Reconnecting Relatives to Education) Program over the next two years. With its first four graduates celebrated in 2025, this program, that provides resources to help American Indians who’ve had encounters with the justice system complete their high school equivalency, hopes to strengthen its partnership and explore other learning opportunities.
Our Programs Blogs
American Indian College Fund Staff Co-Author Research in Support of Indigenous Women’s Leadership
In recognition of the fact that the leadership experiences of Indigenous women is an under-researched topic, two Native leaders at the American Indian College Fund co-authored a journal article on this topic. Their team analyzed 18 peer-reviewed articles to identify key concepts and available support for Indigenous women’s leadership.
Breaking the Cycle – Considering Barriers to Higher Education
By Robert DeCoteau, Director of Workforce Education, NWIC As educators and funders, we often step in with grand plans and resources, hoping to steer young Native Americans towards success. But do we truly understand their worldview, their motivations, their...
Breaking the Cycle – Finding Purpose and Building a Foundation Through Student Success
By Robert DeCoteau, Director of Workforce Education, NWIC My own academic journey started right here on the Lummi Reservation, where I grew up. I’m not someone who followed a traditional path – I dropped out of school, worked various jobs, and later returned to...
American Indian College Fund Extends Partnership with Dollar General Literacy Foundation
The American Indian College Fund (College Fund) recently received a $434,000 adult literacy grant from the Dollar General Literacy Foundation (DGLF) for its Native Students Stepping Forward (NSSF): Dollar General Adult Education Program. Celebrating its eleven-year partnership with the DGLF, the program works to increase the number of adults working toward high school equivalency (HSE) in Indian Country. With this year’s DGLF funding, the program can serve 10 tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) who support HSE attainment while also strengthening the whole adult education pathway. College Fund currently plans to select its tenth participating college in 2026.
