Northwest Area Foundation Grants American Indian College Fund $1 Million for Tribal College Leaders in Innovation Project

DENVER, Jan. 8, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The St. Paul, Minnesota-based Northwest Area Foundation has made a two-year, $1 million grant to the American Indian College Fund (the Fund) for the Tribal College Leaders in Community Innovation Project. This competitive awards program will honor five tribal colleges conducting programs contributing to vibrant and healthy communities. The award areas will focus on children and families; health and wellness; financial literacy and entrepreneurship; or citizenship.  Five tribal colleges in the Foundation's service area will receive project funding and resources to share their success stories and lessons learned. The Fund will also develop marketing tools and conduct outreach to encourage national philanthropic leaders to invest in tribal colleges.

Applications for the awards program will be available in mid-January 2013 through the American Indian College Fund. Applications are due March 1, 2013. The winners will be announced June 15.

"Tribal colleges have emerged as key institutions within Indian Country. Entire communities look to them for leadership and the ability to implement innovative projects which directly meet community needs," said Dr. Cheryl Crazy Bull, President and CEO of the American Indian College Fund. "Thanks to the Northwest Area Foundation, the American Indian College Fund can help five tribal colleges continue their project momentum in the communities they serve in these important areas."

"Tribal colleges play a vital role in their communities. Not only do they offer higher education anchored  in Native American culture, they generate ideas and inspiration for any community seeking practical approaches that will help people build a better future," said Kevin Walker, President and CEO of Northwest Area Foundation. "These awards will spotlight models of success that we hope can be shared and replicated throughout Indian Country and across the nation."

About the Northwest Area Foundation
The Northwest Area Foundation is dedicated to supporting efforts by the people, organizations and communities to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable prosperity. The Foundation's region includes the eight states of Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Idaho, Washington and Oregon and more than 70 sovereign Tribal Nations that share the same geography. The Great Northern Railway, founded by James J. Hill, operated in this area. Hill's son, Louis W. Hill, established the Foundation in 1934. For more information, please visit www.nwaf.org. 

About the American Indian College Fund
With its credo "Educating the Mind and Spirit," The American Indian College Fund is the premier scholarship organization for Native students. Created in 1989 to provide scholarships and support for the nation's 34 tribal colleges, the Fund receives top ratings from independent charity evaluators, including the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance, and received its third consecutive four-star rating from Charity Navigator. It provides more than 3,500 Native students with scholarships annually.

SOURCE American Indian College Fund