About
The American Indian College Fund invests in Native students and tribal college education to transform lives and communities. Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Denver, Colorado, it describes itself as the nation's largest Native-led charity supporting access to higher education for American Indian and Alaska Native students. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN 52-1573446).
Mission
The American Indian College Fund's mission is to invest in Native students and tribal college education to transform lives and communities. The organization notes that currently only 15% of American Indians hold college degrees, and it works to close that gap by funding scholarships and strengthening the tribal college system.
What they do
- Provide scholarships to American Indian and Alaska Native students pursuing higher education
- Support the nation's 34 accredited tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), including funding for campus infrastructure
- Fund and run programming in research, Native language preservation, early childhood education, mentoring, internships, and student success initiatives
History
The American Indian College Fund was founded in 1989 to raise funds for scholarships and for the tribal colleges and universities that serve Native communities. It has since grown into the nation's largest Native-led higher education charity.
Financials
According to the organization's IRS Form 990 data on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, for the fiscal year ending June 2025 the American Indian College Fund reported total revenue of $66,504,283, total expenses of $62,846,628, and net assets of $211,193,554. The organization states that 76% of its spending goes to scholarships, programs, and public education, with 4% to management and 20% to fundraising.
Governance and recognition
The American Indian College Fund is headquartered at 8333 Greenwood Blvd., Denver, Colorado. It reports holding the Platinum Seal of Transparency from Candid, high ratings from Charity Navigator, and the Best in America Seal of Excellence from Independent Charities of America.