Think Indian Community Awareness Grants

Think Indian Community Awareness Grants of $2,500 are available to student groups and accredited higher education institutions. These grants encourage institutions who serve Native students to promote the positive message of “Think Indian,” the vibrancy of Native students, and the highlight the support provided by Native scholarship programs to their campus and community.

“Think Indian” was originally created as a public awareness campaign to promote the American Indian College Fund, and the many ways that its scholars contribute to, and change our world. Its message connected so deeply with Native students and institutions that it was revived in 2018, specifically to promote the College Fund’s scholarship, and other student programs.

The American Indian College Fund has created a grant program to highlight its “Think Indian” campaign, and scholarships program for Native students. The grants are intended to encourage institutions who serve Native students to promote the positive message of “Think Indian,” the vibrancy of Native students, and the highlight the support provided by Native scholarship programs to their campus and community. Projects must engage or include Native students.

Student groups and institutions can use grant funds for any activity or project that will promote the “Think Indian” campaign and scholarships in their community. Programs can include, but are not limited to:

  • Informational, social or artistic events
  • Art displays, installations or murals
  • Music performances or video screenings
  • Local awareness, publicity or marketing campaigns
  • Online/social media campaigns
  • Participation in existing campus or community events
  • Themed volunteer or service events (including Native vote or census projects)

CLICK HERE to view summaries of the 2019 awarded projects.

 

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American Indian College Fund Launches Student Voting Initiative as Part of Its Reclaim Native Democracy Campaign

American Indian College Fund Launches Student Voting Initiative as Part of Its Reclaim Native Democracy Campaign

Native Scholars Asked to Share What Voting Means to Them

ReclaimNativeDemocracy_BumperSticker_BlueDenver, Colo., July 15, 2026 — The American Indian College Fund (College Fund) has launched its Reclaim Native Democracy Voting Initiative competition for students, asking Native students at tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) and current Full Circle scholars to share their thoughts on voting, democracy, and the future of Native communities. The theme of the initiative is “Our ancestors carried the wisdom. We carry the responsibility. Future generations carry the promise.” The campaign allows Native students to share their thoughts as future leaders about the importance of voting to help shape their communities’ futures.

The voting initiative is open to both TCU students and College Fund Full Circle Scholars enrolled in summer or fall 2026 classes. Students must submit written blog or video entries between July 15 and November 3. Students may submit multiple entries, with the first qualifying submission earning a $25 gift card. All students whose submissions are accepted will be entered into a raffle for a $500 cash prize. Four TCU students and three Full Circle scholars will be selected from the raffle. For complete competition guidelines and to submit entries, visit the College Fund website, at collegefund.org/vote.

A campaign about the roots of democracy in Indigenous communities inspiring the founding of the United States was held for TCU students. Raffle winners selected are:

  • Marcel Blackbird (Omaha Tribe of Nebraska), Little Priest Tribal College
  • Simone Friede (Chippewa Cree), Stone Child College
  • Amber Warrington (Menominee Nation), College of Menominee Nation
  • Gerilynn Yazzie (Navajo Nation), United Tribes Technical College

Whether a tribal college student, a tribal community member, or an ally, the College Fund encourages all Americans to exercise their right to vote. Those who need to register can find a state-by-state breakdown of voter registration information on the College Fund website. You can also watch Native student representatives who attended the 2026 AIHEC Legislative Summit discuss what voting means to them on the College Fund Youtube channel.

About the American Indian College Fund — The American Indian College Fund has been the nation’s largest charity supporting Native higher education for 37 years. The College Fund believes “Education is the answer” and provided more than $23 million in scholarships and other student support for higher education in 2024-25. Since its founding in 1989 the College Fund has provided more than $391 million in scholarships, programs, community, and tribal college support. The College Fund also supports a variety of programs at the nation’s 35 accredited tribal colleges and universities, which are located on or near Indian reservations, ensuring students have the tools to graduate and succeed in their careers. The College Fund consistently receives top ratings from independent charity evaluators. It earned a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid (Guidestar), and the “Best in America Seal of Excellence” from the Independent Charities of America. The College Fund was also named as one of the nation’s top 100 charities to the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. For more information about the American Indian College Fund, please visit collegefund.org.

Journalists —The American Indian College Fund does not use the acronym AICF. On second reference, please use the College Fund.

Photo – American Indian College Fund’s Reclaim Native Democracy Campaign launches student voting initiative.

Next Leaders in Native American Finance

By Shawn Bitsui, Program Associate – College Success, American Indian College Fund

The Native American Financial Leaders Fellowship Program shares a pair of blogs reflecting on the professional development activities fellows participated in during the spring 2026 semester.

Next Leaders in Native American Finance – College Fund Fellows Attend Reservation Economic Summit

The American Indian College Fund (College Fund) established the Native American Financial Leaders Fellowship Program (NAFLFP) in 2024. This initiative provides extensive support and professional development opportunities for up-and-coming finance and business scholars developing Native communities.

Reservation Economic Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada in March 2026.

Reservation Economic Summit in Las Vegas, Nevada in March 2026.

Fellows attended the Reservation Economic Summit in Las Vegas, Nev. in March. This gathering of business leaders is the epicenter for economic conversation in Indian Country. The fellows attended along with their program lead, Shawn Bitsui. Over the course of the three-day summit, fellows were exposed to breakout sessions, networking, vendor tradeshows, and speakers, including an informative speech from the College Fund’s own president and CEO, Cheryl Crazy Bull.

Jordan Dean (Ninlichik Village), a junior at Westmont College, said, “This professional development motivated Fellows more than ever coming out of the summit.”

“I was able to talk about my own goals and plans for the future, and they gave really helpful feedback on things I should focus on, skills to keep building, and different career paths I hadn’t fully considered before. It made everything feel more real for me. Instead of just learning in the classroom, I was able to connect with people actually doing the work I want to be part of. That experience definitely gave me more confidence and motivation moving forward,” said Amy Byrd (Cherokee), a senior at Northern Montana State University.

Emma DeGennaro (Choctaw), a senior at Tulane University, said, “My favorite interaction was meeting Cheryl Crazy Bull from the College Fund. Though I loved just getting to say hello and talking to her, I also really enjoyed her speaking event during the general session. Her commitment to encouraging and instilling education among youth and ensuring equal access to education for indigenous students is amazing.”

Finance Fellows Attend Center for Indian Country Development

Two American Indian College Fund (College Fund) Native American Financial Leaders Fellows (NAFLFP) ended the Spring 2026 semester with a professional development opportunity. Jordan Dean (Ninilchik Village), a junior at Westmont College, and Braden Allery (Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa), a senior at United Tribes Technical College, were able to attend and present at the Center for Indian Country Development (CICD) in Minneapolis, Minn. this past May.

Center for Indian Country Development (CICD) in Minneapolis, Minnesota in May, 2026.

Center for Indian Country Development (CICD) in Minneapolis, Minnesota in May, 2026.

The fellows and their program lead, Shawn Bitsui toured the Federal Reserve facility, for networking and deep-dive sessions reviewing the CICD Survey of Native Nations and economic development. The team at CICD gave both fellows a chance to present on their fellowship projects and provided valuable feedback. CICD offered suggestions on resources, contacts, and other data that could strengthen the fellows’ projects.

Both fellows developed projects based upon their passions: Allery is considering incorporating equine therapy as part of the larger rehabilitation program he runs for his community and Dean is researching how to utilize emerging renewable energies, such as wave power technology, to help cut down energy costs in Alaska Native communities.

Allery said, “Being at CICD and hearing different viewpoints made me think more about how healing, culture, community, and economic development can all work together. I realized the benefits of sharing my vision with others and connecting and also the value of strengthening my public speaking skills to help me with my future goals”

 

 

American Indian College Fund’s 12th Annual Tribal College and University Faculty Convening Celebrates Culturally Responsive Education

American Indian College Fund’s 12th Annual Tribal College and University Faculty Convening Celebrates Culturally Responsive Education

Sessions Highlight Importance of Native Students’ Belonging and Academic Success

Speaker panel at the 12th Annual Tribal College and University Faculty Convening.

Speaker panel at the 12th Annual Tribal College and University Faculty Convening.

Denver, Colo., July 14, 2026 — The annual Tribal College and University (TCU) Faculty Convening held by the American Indian College Fund (College Fund) offers faculty the rare opportunity to share their research and best practices with each other and to make valuable connections with peers across the TCU system. TCUs have a unique dual mission to provide a quality higher education to their students while maintaining the Native cultures of the Tribes who run them. The convening gathers faculty in person for deeper discussions on how they can help advance this dual mission.

The 12th annual convening saw a record number of attendees despite federal budget cuts to TCUs over the past two years. Breakout and plenary sessions covered a multitude of topics essential to Native higher education, such as Native-centered teaching practices, innovations in student research, collaborating for student success, and ethical use of AI for the more than 150 education professionals that gathered in May for the event. Attendees said the conference emphasized the importance of Indigenous-centered teaching practices serving as the foundation for every course taught at TCUs.

A record number of attendees participated in the TCU Convening.

A record number of attendees participated in the TCU Convening.

The convening further highlighted the value of faculty connection and shared learning across tribally led higher education institutions. The culturally grounded sessions reminded those attending that student success is not only about productivity or academic achievement but relationships, representation, and community. Despite the distance between TCUs, faculty made valuable connections to overcome isolation as they prepare students to lead their tribal communities and in their careers.

American Indian College Fund President and CEO, Cheryl Crazy Bull said, “The College Fund is honored to support TCU faculty as they build their skills and network so they can serve Native and rural students at our institutions with the best content knowledge, teaching skills, and cultural competencies. We appreciate our faculty and the work they do to strengthen our communities’ self-determination.”

About the American Indian College Fund — The American Indian College Fund has been the nation’s largest charity supporting Native higher education for 37 years. The College Fund believes “Education is the answer” and provided more than $23 million in scholarships and other student support for higher education in 2024-25. Since its founding in 1989 the College Fund has provided more than $391 million in scholarships, programs, community, and tribal college support. The College Fund also supports a variety of programs at the nation’s 35 accredited tribal colleges and universities, which are located on or near Indian reservations, ensuring students have the tools to graduate and succeed in their careers. The College Fund consistently receives top ratings from independent charity evaluators. It earned a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, a Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid (Guidestar), and the “Best in America Seal of Excellence” from the Independent Charities of America. The College Fund was also named as one of the nation’s top 100 charities to the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. For more information about the American Indian College Fund, please visit collegefund.org.

Journalists — The American Indian College Fund does not use the acronym AICF. On second reference, please use the College Fund.

Photo 1 – Speaker panel at the 12th Annual Tribal College and University Faculty Convening.

Photo 2 – A record number of attendees participated in the TCU Convening.