History and Mission

Our History

The American Indian College Fund traces its roots to the civil rights and American Indian self-determination movements of the 1960s, when tribal leaders decided to take control of the higher education of their people to reverse centuries of misguided and failed federal education policies.

In 1968, the Navajo Nation created a first-of-its-kind educational institution—a college controlled by the tribe, located on the reservation, and established to provide higher education to tribal members. The tribal college movement was born. Since then, the number of tribal colleges has grown to 33 accredited institutions, located in 13 states and serving American Indian Nations from every geographic region in the United States.

Tribal colleges are beacons of hope for social and economic change in the communities they serve, helping to fight poverty while preserving Native language and culture by integrating them into their curriculum.

Tribal colleges receive little or no local or state tax support, making corporate, foundation, and private donations crucial.

In 1989, tribal college presidents recognized the need to establish an organization to raise private-sector funds for the colleges and to complement the efforts of its sister organization, the American Indian Higher Education Consortium. The American Indian College Fund was established in 1989 in New York City. It relocated its headquarters in Denver, Colorado in 2002.
 

The American Indian College Fund's Mission

The American Indian College Fund transforms Indian higher education by funding and creating awareness of the unique, community-based accredited Tribal Colleges and Universities, offering students access to knowledge, skills, and cultural values which enhance their communities and the country as a whole.

The American Indian College Fund provides scholarships to American Indian students and supports the country's tribal colleges.

Tribal colleges serve large proportions of older students, women, those with dependent family members, first-generation college students, and others who have little access to post-secondary education in their communities.

Institute for Higher Education Policy research findings

Salish Kootenai College in Pablo, Montana

The Fund also supports cultural preservation projects, capital construction, and other programs at the tribal colleges.