The American Indian College Fund invests in Native students and tribal college education to transform lives and communities.
The American Indian College Fund’s recent grantmaking is built around direct operating and program support for Tribal Colleges and Universities. Large awards in the current record include $936,733 to Aaniiih Nakoda College, $818,003 to Tohono O'odham Community College, and $758,603 to Sitting Bull College, all for operational or program support. That pattern points to an institution-level strategy rather than project-only funding: the foundation backs colleges as organizations, not just individual initiatives. Across the grant list, the same grantee can appear in multiple years, which suggests ongoing relationships rather than one-time awards. Sinte Gleska University received grants in 2024 and 2025, and Turtle Mountain Community College also appears more than once. The foundation’s active program menu reinforces that approach, with support for capacity-building, student success, leadership development, language and culture, health and wellness, infrastructure, and community-centered programming. The funder also supports field-specific work tied to Native education and tribal college life, including faculty development, early childhood education, adult education, Native arts, and Indigenous leadership. That mix makes the College Fund relevant to researchers tracking both institutional strengthening and student-serving grants in Native higher education.
A central theme in the American Indian College Fund’s portfolio is institutional support for tribal colleges. It gave $684,503 to the College of the Muscogee Nation for operational/program support and $624,503 to Northwest Indian College for the same purpose, showing a preference for keeping colleges functioning and responsive to local needs. Faculty and workforce capacity also appear as a distinct thread. The Graduate Hours Fellowship supports tribal college and university faculty who need graduate credits to teach in another discipline, and it is capped at $15,000. That program is tied directly to retaining qualified faculty and broadening course offerings. The foundation also funds Indigenous education across age groups. Ihduwiyaypi: Advancing Indigenous Early Childhood Education Grants support early learning programming, while Native Students Stepping Forward supports adult education and GED completion for American Indian communities and Tribal Colleges. These programs sit alongside student-centered and community-based support within the College Fund’s broader Indigenous education work.
$13.9M
$215.1M
$66.5M
$62.8M
Most grants fall between $25K and $515K, with a median of $125K.
25th Percentile
$25K
Median
$125K
75th Percentile
$515K
About 0% of grants go to recipients in MT.
CHERYL CRAZY BULL
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Typical grant size is $25,000 at the 25th percentile, $125,000 at the median, and $515,253 at the 75th percentile, with several operational/program awards in the recent list above that range. The grant record also shows repeat recipients across years, including Sinte Gleska University, Turtle Mountain Community College, and College of the Menominee Nation, which points to continuing relationships rather than isolated awards. The foundation appears to use program-defined, capacity-oriented giving rather than an open individual-grant model. Some active programs accept unsolicited applications, including the Graduate Hours Fellowship, while others are restricted program area funding for Tribal Colleges and Universities.
Giving is national, with all listed grants going to U.S. recipients. The top state by grant count is New Mexico, even though the foundation’s headquarters are in Denver, Colorado. Recent grants show a broad spread across tribal college communities, including Crownpoint and Tsaile in Arizona, New Town and Belcourt in North Dakota, Mission in South Dakota, and Bellingham, Washington. The portfolio also reaches colleges in Montana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Alaska, and Oklahoma.
The recent grants show a strong focus on Tribal Colleges and Universities. Awards went to institutions such as Aaniiih Nakoda College, Tohono O'odham Community College, and Sinte Gleska University for operational or program support. The active program list also centers on TCUs through capacity-building, infrastructure, student success, language and culture, and health and wellness support.
The typical grant size is $25,000 at the 25th percentile, $125,000 at the median, and $515,253 at the 75th percentile. The recent grant list includes many larger operational/program awards, with several in the $500,000 to $900,000 range.
Yes. Some grantees appear in multiple years in the recent grant record. Sinte Gleska University received awards in both 2024 and 2025, Turtle Mountain Community College appears more than once, and College of the Menominee Nation also shows repeat support.
Active programs include Graduate Hours Fellowship, Environmental Stewardship Program, Ihduwiyaypi: Advancing Indigenous Early Childhood Education Grants, Native Students Stepping Forward, Infrastructure Program, Supporting Our Relatives, Native Arts Program, Indigenous Education Program, TCU Capacity-Building & Program Support Grants, and Indigenous Visionaries Fellows.
No. The grant record is national, with 136 grants to U.S. recipients. Recent awards reached colleges in Arizona, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Michigan, Wisconsin, Nebraska, Alaska, Washington, and Oklahoma, and the top state by grant count is New Mexico.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NUETA HIDATSA SAHNISH COLLEGE | NEW TOWN, ND | $634,551 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TURTLE MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE | BELCOURT, ND | $631,482 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SINTE GLESKA UNIVERSITY | MISSION, SD | $618,432 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| UNITED TRIBES TECHNICAL COLLEGE | BISMARCK, ND | $577,554 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NAVAJO TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY | CROWNPOINT, NM | $569,548 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SALISH KOOTENAI COLLEGE | PABLO, SD | $543,045 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BAY MILLS COMMUNITY COLLEGE | BRIMLEY, MI | $536,006 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| KEWEENAW BAY OJIBWA COMMUNITY COLLEGE | BARAGA, MI | $534,533 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| DINE COLLEGE | TSAILE, AZ | $515,632 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NORTHWEST INDIAN COLLEGE | BELLINGHAM, WA | $493,132 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| AANIIIH NAKODA COLLEGE | HARLEM, MT | $477,391 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LAC COURTE OREILLES OJIBWAY COMMUNITY COLLEGE | HAYWARD, WI | $473,462 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LITTLE PRIEST TRIBAL COLLEGE | WINNEBAGO, NE | $466,447 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| RED LAKE NATION COLLEGE | RED LAKE, MI | $459,632 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| COLLEGE OF THE MENOMINEE NATION | KESHENA, WI | $436,632 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TOHONO O'ODHAM COMMUNITY COLLEGE | SELLS, AZ | $428,239 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FORT PECK COMMUNITY COLLEGE | POPLAR, MT | $411,039 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SAGINAW CHIPPEWA TRIBAL COLLEGE | MT PLEASANT, MT | $393,382 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NEBRASKA INDIAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE | MACY, NE | $387,053 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| ILISAGVIK COLLEGE | BARROW, AK | $378,454 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| OGLALA LAKOTA COLLEGE | KYLE, MN | $367,888 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SITTING BULL COLLEGE | FT YATES, ND | $363,632 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| STONE CHILD COMMUNITY COLLEGE | BOX ELDER, MT | $363,008 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BLACKFEET COMMUNITY COLLEGE | BROWNING, MT | $362,632 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LITTLE BIG HORN COLLEGE | CROW AGENCY, MT | $359,132 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| WHITE EARTH TRIBAL & COMMUNITY COLLEGE | MAHNOMEN, MN | $351,632 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CHIEF DULL KNIFE COLLEGE | LAME DEER, MT | $334,574 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| CANKDESKA CIKANA COMMUNITY COLLEGE | FT TOTTEN, ND | $323,632 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| COLLEGE OF THE MUSCOGEE NATION | OKMULGEE, OK | $227,132 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN INDIAN HIGHER EDUCATION CONSORTIUM | ALEXANDRIA, VA | $182,808 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL SUPPORT |
| SISSETON WAHPETON COLLEGE | SISSETON, ND | $159,632 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SOUTHWESTERN INDIAN POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $116,132 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| HASKELL INDIAN NATIONS UNIVERSITY | LAWRENCE, KS | $103,632 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| INSTITUTE OF AMERICAN INDIAN ARTS | SANTA FE, NM | $86,720 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| LEECH LAKE TRIBAL COLLEGE | CASS LAKE, MN | $70,132 | 2025 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| INDIGENOUS EDUCATION INC | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $69,092 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| AMERICAN INDIAN SCIENCE & ENGINEERING SOCIETY | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $55,083 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| NATIVE FORWARD SCHOLARS FUND | ALBUQUERQUE, NM | $25,547 | 2025 | PROJECT SUPPORT |
| AANIIIH NAKODA COLLEGE | HARLEM, MT | $936,733 | 2024 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| TOHONO O'ODHAM COMMUNITY COLLEGE | SELLS, AZ | $818,003 | 2024 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SITTING BULL COLLEGE | FT YATES, ND | $758,603 | 2024 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SINTE GLESKA UNIVERSITY | MISSION, SD | $756,453 | 2024 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| KEWEENAW BAY OJIBWA COMMUNITY COLLEGE | BARAGA, MI | $740,003 | 2024 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| COLLEGE OF THE MUSCOGEE NATION | OKMULGEE, OK | $684,503 | 2024 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| SAGINAW CHIPPEWA TRIBAL COLLEGE | MT PLEASANT, MT | $673,603 | 2024 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| DINE COLLEGE | TSAILE, AZ | $639,003 | 2024 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NAVAJO TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY | CROWNPOINT, NM | $628,503 | 2024 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| BLACKFEET COMMUNITY COLLEGE | BROWNING, MT | $624,833 | 2024 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| NORTHWEST INDIAN COLLEGE | BELLINGHAM, WA | $624,503 | 2024 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
| FORT PECK COMMUNITY COLLEGE | POPLAR, MT | $613,233 | 2024 | OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT |
NUETA HIDATSA SAHNISH COLLEGE
$634,551OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT
TURTLE MOUNTAIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$631,482OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT
SINTE GLESKA UNIVERSITY
$618,432OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT
NAVAJO TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY
$569,548OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT
OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT
BAY MILLS COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$536,006OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT
KEWEENAW BAY OJIBWA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$534,533OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT
DINE COLLEGE
$515,632OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT
NORTHWEST INDIAN COLLEGE
$493,132OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT
AANIIIH NAKODA COLLEGE
$477,391OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT
LAC COURTE OREILLES OJIBWAY COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$473,462OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT
SAGINAW CHIPPEWA TRIBAL COLLEGE
$393,382OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT
NEBRASKA INDIAN COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$387,053OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT
STONE CHILD COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$363,008OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT
LITTLE BIG HORN COLLEGE
$359,132OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT
COLLEGE OF THE MUSCOGEE NATION
$227,132OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT
SISSETON WAHPETON COLLEGE
$159,632OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT
SOUTHWESTERN INDIAN POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE
$116,132OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT
HASKELL INDIAN NATIONS UNIVERSITY
$103,632OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT
LEECH LAKE TRIBAL COLLEGE
$70,132OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT
INDIGENOUS EDUCATION INC
$69,092PROJECT SUPPORT
NATIVE FORWARD SCHOLARS FUND
$25,547PROJECT SUPPORT
AANIIIH NAKODA COLLEGE
$936,733OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT
SINTE GLESKA UNIVERSITY
$756,453OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT
KEWEENAW BAY OJIBWA COMMUNITY COLLEGE
$740,003OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT
COLLEGE OF THE MUSCOGEE NATION
$684,503OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT
SAGINAW CHIPPEWA TRIBAL COLLEGE
$673,603OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT
DINE COLLEGE
$639,003OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT
NAVAJO TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY
$628,503OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT
NORTHWEST INDIAN COLLEGE
$624,503OPERATIONAL/PROGRAM SUPPORT
