American Indian College Fund

We are determined to help more American Indian students complete their college degree. Our goal is to empower individuals and uplift communities through degree attainment and career readiness training. Through programming that supports Native people starting in high school and continuing through their academic goals and career attainment, we are enhancing individuals' abilities to achieve success that is meaningful to them, their families, and their communities.

Developing and enhancing educational programming for our sacred little ones that engages children, parents, elders and the community.
Working with high school students and families to help them see going to college as a viable option. Supporting them with navigating college applications and financial aid processes. Continuing to support them through their first year of college.
Providing financial support through scholarships and fellowships
Providing career exploration and training through internships, networking, mentors, webinars, conferences, and job shadowing
Providing student success resources and supports through individual coaching and extensive communication programs
Supporting leadership development through ambassador and community development programs
Providing faculty development and research grants
Supporting tribal college and university infrastructure and curriculum development and enhancement

The American Indian College Fund has over 32 years of experience in raising money and providing financial and technical support to Native American and Alaskan Native students and tribal colleges and universities. We have provided over 143,000 scholarships and currently serve approximately 4,000 students annually. We have the expertise and staffing to raise funds, develop programming, and directly support students. Our donor partners include foundations, corporations, and individuals and we raise approximately $40 million annually. Our programs include stewarding multi-million multi-year programs and hundreds of individual scholarship programs annually. With a staff of over 75 employees we have expert teams dedicated to our key initiatives; scholarships, career exploration and readiness, faculty development, indigenous early childhood education, computer science, GED programming, environmental science, high school to college pathways, college transfer pathways, strategic enrollment management, leadership development, and cultural preservation. We are financial strong and adept. We have grown our endowment to over $80 million and consistently obtain unqualified audits. Transparency and integrity are core values. The American Indian College Fund is lead by a diverse group of Native and non-Native people who are driven by a common bond; we believe in our mission, in the individuals and communities we serve, and we believe education is the answer to empowering people and uplifting communities and society as a whole.

The American Indian College Fund has increased our direct program support from almost $14 million to $21 million in the last four years. The College Fund has provided over 143,000 scholarships and disbursed $129 million in direct student support since inception.

Within our expansion of services to high school students, we have developed partnerships with over 70 high schools and youth serving entities on or near Indian reservations.

The graduation rate of scholarship recipients is almost 44%. Students receiving multi-year scholarships and coaching services are graduating at even higher rates.

The College Fund has supported 100 Native American TCU faculty members in obtaining higher level degrees.

The College Fund has developed a Career Coaching Framework. In FY 19-20 43% of our Full Circle scholarship recipients participated in a career related experiential education opportunity.

Programs to support tribal college and university capacity building include indigenous early childhood education, computer science, environmental science, GED, strategic enrollment management, employer relationship buidling to strengthen career pathways for students, faculty development, faculty research and publication, transfer programs, dual-enrollment programs, and cultural preservation.