American Indian College Fund

09/30/2026

Today, September 30, is Orange Shirt Day. On this day we were orange to honor the children who never returned home from residential and boarding schools, boarding school survivors, and the generations of families impacted by the loss of their children and ancestors.

At the College Fund, honoring this day means listening, learning, and lifting the voices of Native students who are building brighter futures for their communities even as they mourn the loss of their family members. We're wearing orange today to spark conversation, honor the past, and invest in the future of Native education.

If you’re wearing orange with us today, let us know in the comments below, and visit our blog to learn more about the history and significance of Orange Shirt Day. 🧡

In Canada, Orange Shirt Day is observed on September 30 as a federal holiday called the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. The American Indian Colle ...

08/31/2026

We recently hosted 11 stellar College Fund scholars at our offices in Denver — these are the students who will be featured in our social media posts, texts, emails, mail and other places in the coming year (and yes, all the students we talk about are real people and are their real stories!!!).

Part of their experience was being professionally photographed and filmed, many for the first time ever, and we are working on finalizing everything so we can share their full stories with you.

In the meantime, here are some behind-the-scenes photos of our time together.

08/04/2026

Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) play a vital role in preserving Native culture, empowering communities, and providing quality higher education.

Read our latest blog and learn how you can support TCUs and advocate for the resources our students and institutions need to thrive.

Together, we can ensure a brighter future for Native higher education.

👉 Read the full blog post and take action here:

The American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) is urging Senators to support inclusion of two bipartisan, no-cost priorities that would provide TCU ...

07/04/2026

This Fourth of July, as communities gather with family and friends, we reflect on the values that connect us: opportunity, self-determination, education, and hope for future generations.

At the American Indian College Fund, we are inspired every day by Native students who are building stronger communities through knowledge, leadership, and service. Their success strengthens not only Tribal Nations, but our shared future.

We wish you a safe and meaningful Independence Day filled with connection, reflection, and gratitude.

06/25/2026

Today is Victory Day, the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Greasy Grass (also known as the Battle of Little Bighorn or as Custer's Last Stand). We reflect on this defining moment in the history of our Lakota, Cheyenne, and Arapaho relatives and how their bravery influenced the continued discussions across Native Nations around sovereignty, treaty obligations, military conflict, and cultural persistence.

This day invites us to remember those who fought to protect their homelands, lifeways, and communities, as well as honoring the profound legacies born on that battlefield in southeastern Montana. Legacies that will be carried far into future generations because behind every historical event are human stories of courage, sacrifice, loss, and resilience.

At the American Indian College Fund, we believe education helps us engage with history in all its complexity. By learning from the past, we deepen our understanding of the experiences, perspectives, and relationships that continue to shape our communities today.

As we reflect, we honor all those whose lives were impacted and reaffirm the importance of knowledge, dialogue, and mutual respect in building a better future for generations to come.

06/19/2026

Today, we commemorate Juneteenth, a day that marks the end of slavery in the United States and honors the resilience, achievements, and enduring contributions of Black Americans.

Juneteenth is both a celebration of freedom and a reminder of the ongoing pursuit of equity, opportunity, and justice. We recognize the generations of Black leaders, educators, students, families, and communities whose courage and perseverance have helped shape our nation.

As we reflect on this important day, we encourage learning, dialogue, and action that advances understanding and strengthens our communities. The American Indian College Fund stands in solidarity with Black communities as we honor the significance of Juneteenth and celebrate the power of education, opportunity, and community to create a brighter future for all.

06/17/2026

It’s not uncommon for 2SLGBTQ+ Natives, like Eunice, to carry the extra weight of having to navigate systems and spaces that have been instilled with bigotry, stereotypes, and ignorance. With more inclusive representation, 2SLGBTQ+ people can see themselves and their identities reflected in ways that are empowering rather than isolating and burdensome.

Read more about Eunice and their story of representation that we all deserve to see: one that uplifts the diverseness in our identities and holds space for us to be the best, most true version of ourselves.

American Indian College Fund scholar Eunice (Cheyenne River Sioux) from Oglala Lakota College reflects on their experience as a 2SLGBTQ+ Native leader. High ...

06/16/2026

There is still a deep lack of awareness and knowledge around the “+” in the widely used LGBTQ+ acronym.

One of these identities is “two-spirit,” a unifying term coined in the 1990s to encompass a multitude of identities and expressions that are unique to Native Americans who are LGBTQ+.

Meet some Native scholars who are the culture-bearers, knowledge-keepers, and leaders who are helping guide us toward a future that embraces the full spectrum of identity and expression.

Read: https://collegefund.org/blog/seeing-honoring-and-celebrating-our-two-spirit-relatives/

05/21/2026

Today is Native Nonprofit Day!

Native nonprofits across the country are working to uplift Native communities and you can help Native students stay in school and build brighter futures. Through the end of May, every gift to the American Indian College Fund will be matched dollar for dollar.

Double your impact today: https://www.collegefund.org/nativenonprofitday

05/05/2026

Because of limited data, there is no reliable nationwide count of how many Native persons go missing or are murdered each year.

May 5th is the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Relatives (MMIWG/MMIWR). While Native students deal with the same end of semester pressures and stress as other students, they’re more likely to also be living in a state of fear or mourning for a relative who may never make it home. But our students, communities, and tribal colleges won’t stop raising awareness and working for justice until our relatives are brought home and kept safe.

And neither will we.

Let’s continue to support Native students as they become the future Native lawyers, judges, justices, and legislators who will work to safeguard Native communities.