Message from the President

Iremember in early 2020 when I first heard a virus was identified in our country’s coastal cities. I was impressed by how quickly everyone responded, with the only certainty being the virus was not only serious, but could also be deadly. Tribes, tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), and Native students showed their resilience and perseverance by responding in ways that protected the health of their most vulnerable citizens, elders, and children. Despite that resilience and their protective actions, Tribes were among the most devastated populations. This experience impacted our students and their education.

Yet, despite the many challenges that our faculty, staff, students, and communities faced, we were able to transition, survive, and adapt thanks to the strong foundations that we rely upon, passed on to us by our elders and ancestors.

Here at the American Indian College Fund, a Native-led non-profit organization, we not only value the traditions and beliefs of the people we serve, but we also use those traditions of respect, community, and support to survive and adapt to continue to support the communities that are counting on us. In Native communities, we move forward together, helping each other to overcome obstacles and to persist. It is why our tribal communities are still here today despite our country’s history. This past year we knew we had to work harder than ever to get Native students into college and to keep them there until graduation. According to 2021 U.S. Census Bureau figures, 15 percent of American Indian and Alaska Natives aged 25 and older have a college degree, compared to 32.1 percent of non-Native people, less than half. And because the pandemic made attending college even more difficult for our students, Fall 2020 enrollment statistics showed that Native American first-year student enrollment was down by 23 percent in 2020 as compared to 2019 (with a 13 percent decline in first-year student enrollment overall, and an 11 percent drop in first-year student enrollment at TCUs). We kicked our work into higher gear—providing scholarships, coaching students, and offering leadership training and cultural and language immersion programs. We also offered advocacy training for issues that impact education. Our work is more important than ever for the physical, mental, financial, and cultural health of our communities. Education produces teachers, health-care professionals, scientists, business people, and service workers who serve our communities in good times and in tough times. We witnessed the death of too many of our spiritual and cultural elders due to the pandemic, creating an even greater need to educate our students for leadership roles. We are preparing them through education and training programs, giving them the skills and confidence to succeed as servant leaders in their communities.

We have not stopped. Today we are continuing our work at the American Indian College Fund with renewed hope. Our students tell us they want to make a difference today in the lives of their families and communities. With the unwavering support of our partners and allies, we are making that happen. This annual report is a testament to the legacy, love, and hope our ancestors held for their people and their future—and the amazing work we can do when we do it together.

Cheryl Crazy Bull (Sicangu Lakota) President and CEO, American Indian College Fund

The American Indian College Fund invests in Native students and their communities through scholarships, student internships, student success initiatives, support for the 35 accredited tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), and more. We helped Native students and TCUs in the following ways in 2020-21.

Total Scholarships Distributed 3,681

Total Students Receiving Scholarships 2,959

Total Dollar Amount of Scholarships Awarded $10,160,000

First-Generation Scholars Served Total Other Direct Student Support Awarded $5,348,000