History and Mission

The American Indian College Fund's 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 took control of higher education for 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 educate tribal members.

• Today the number of tribal colleges has grown to 34 accredited institutions, located in 14 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 their communities, helping to fight poverty.

• Tribal colleges preserve Native language and culture by integrating them into their curriculum.

• Tribal colleges receive little or no local or state tax support, making your support crucial.

• In 1989, tribal college presidents recognized the need to establish an organization to raise private-sector funds for the colleges and scholarships for students attending them 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.

• Today only 5% or less of American Indians can afford to attend college without financial assistance.

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 populations of first-generation college students and others who have little access to post-secondary education in their communities.

Institute for Higher Education Policy research findings

College of Menominee Nation in Kenosha, Wisconsin

The American Indian College Fund also supports cultural preservation projects at the tribal colleges.