American Indian College Fund
The American Indian College Fund is a public charity based in Denver, Colorado, founded in 1989. It provides scholarships and programs for American Indian and Alaska Native students and supports tribal colleges and universities with funding, training, and programs.
American Indian College Fund at a glance
In short: American Indian College Fund gave $13.9M across 38 grants in 2025 (avg $365K), top state Montana. 0% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $13,887,686
- -21.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 38
- -7.3% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $365,465
- -15.3% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $382,754
- Total assets
- $215,085,677
- +5.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 0% first-time grantees (0 of 38, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Montana (19% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to American Indian College Fund
- Review Cycle
- May 31, 2026, for priority review of scholarship applications for the 2026–2027 academic year.
- Deadline
- May 31, 2026, for priority review of scholarship applications for the 2026–2027 academic year.
- Contact
Mailing address: 8333 Greenwood Blvd, Denver, CO 80221
Phone: (303) 426-8900
Website: https://collegefund.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from American Indian College Fund
American Indian College Fund Scholarship - High School Student Grant
American Indian College Fund
Amount
US $2,000 - US $3,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
American Indian College Fund Scholarships
American Indian College Fund
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Deadline not published
Scholarships for Non-Tribal College Students Grant
American Indian College Fund
Amount
US $2,000 - US $3,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who American Indian College Fund funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College ($635K). Together the top 10 received $5.7M.
Grant Size Distribution
221 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was in the $100–250K range: 53 grants of 221 (24%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The College Fund serves students nationally. Its 2025 grant dollars were concentrated in Montana and North Dakota (19% each), followed by Michigan (11%), South Dakota (8%), and Arizona (7%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 38 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is American Indian College Fund open to new grantees?
0%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 0 of 38 grantees (0%) were first-time recipients. How we count
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $6.4M (2023) to $17.7M (2024). In 2025 it made 38 grants totaling $13.9M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College New Town, ND | Operational/Program Support | $634,551 |
| Turtle Mountain Community College Belcourt, ND | Operational/Program Support | $631,482 |
| Sinte Gleska University Mission, SD | Operational/Program Support | $618,432 |
| United Tribes Technical College Bismarck, ND | Operational/Program Support | $577,554 |
| Navajo Technical University Crownpoint, NM | Operational/Program Support | $569,548 |
| Salish Kootenai College Pablo, SD | Operational/Program Support | $543,045 |
| Bay Mills Community College Brimley, MI | Operational/Program Support | $536,006 |
| Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College Baraga, MI | Operational/Program Support | $534,533 |
| Dine College Tsaile, AZ | Operational/Program Support | $515,632 |
| Northwest Indian College Bellingham, WA | Operational/Program Support | $493,132 |
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Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $215,085,677 | $66,504,283 | $62,846,628 | $13,887,686 | 38 | $6,703,583 |
| 2024 | $203,027,815 | $55,544,229 | $61,332,195 | $17,682,012 | 41 | $5,582,919 |
| 2023 | $196,090,412 | $83,877,964 | $46,083,405 | $6,353,544 | 57 | $2,830,262 |
| 2022 | $151,570,496 | $57,441,920 | $40,004,109 | $7,963,482 | 39 | $1,441,422 |
| 2021 | $143,360,664 | $60,189,495 | $37,233,778 | $10,796,555 | 46 | $1,713,380 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The College Fund’s mission is to invest in Native students and tribal college education to transform lives and communities. Its work includes student scholarships and programs, public education, and support for tribal colleges and universities.
In 2025, the College Fund’s largest reported institutional grants were for operational and program support. Examples of supported colleges include United Tribes Technical College, whose mission is to provide post-secondary education and training to enhance knowledge, diversity, and leadership for Indigenous nations; Navajo Technical University, which describes its mission as offering technical, vocational, and academic education to Navajo individuals; and Northwest Indian College, whose mission includes meeting the academic, vocational, and cultural needs of Native American communities in the Northwest. These are the grantees’ stated missions.
Grantmaking
In 2025, the College Fund reported 38 grants totaling $13,887,686. Grant amounts ranged from $25,547 to $634,551, with a median of $382,754. Its largest reported grants included $634,551 to Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College, $631,482 to Turtle Mountain Community College, $618,432 to Sinte Gleska University, and $577,554 to United Tribes Technical College. Each was designated for operational or program support.
The College Fund also offers scholarships to eligible American Indian and Alaska Native students; these are awards to students, not grants to outside organizations. Students apply through an online application and submit one application annually for consideration across the scholarship portfolio. Eligibility includes tribal membership or descent from an enrolled member of a federally or state-recognized tribe, a minimum cumulative 2.00 GPA, and full-time enrollment at an accredited nonprofit institution. Application materials include a photo, an unofficial transcript, and documentation of tribal affiliation or descent.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Leander McDonald as chair; Twyla Baker as first vice-chair; Duane Bedell as second vice-chair; and Bill Parker as trustee/member at large. Other listed trustees are Ashley Hubka, Kathy Baird, Dan King, Nicole Bellefeuille, Holly Lunsford, and Sean Chandler.
American Indian College Fund is led by Cheryl Crazy Bull, President & Chief Executive Officer since 2022 (on filings since 2021); 8 of 26 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Cheryl Crazy Bull
President & Chief Executive Officer
President & CEO → President & Chief Executive Officer, 2022
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$334K (2021) → $370K (2025)
Leander McDonald
Chair
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jamie Schwartz
Director of Major Gifts
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$114K (2021) → $129K (2025)
Brenda Toineeta Pipestem
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charles Roessel
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dan King
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dawson Her Many Horses
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michael Oltrogge
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Meredith Vaughan
Trustee
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Bill Parker
Trustee & Member at Large
Trustee → Trustee & Member at Large, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Holly Lunsford
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Baird
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ashley Hubka
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Monte Randall
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dawn Frank
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Eva Flying
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nicole Bellefeuille
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sean Chandler
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carrie Basgall
Secretary & Executive Assistant to President
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$71K (2021) → $89K (2025)
David Sanders
Vice President Research & Evaluation
Vice President Research & Facility Development → Vice President Research & Evaluation, 2023
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$169K (2021) → $201K (2025)
Emily White Hat
Vice President Programs
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$146K (2021) → $193K (2025)
Nancy Jo Houk
Chief Marketing & Development Officer
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$209K (2021) → $237K (2025)
Tamela A. Miller-Carlson
Treasurer & Chief Financial Officer
Treasurer & CFO → Treasurer & Chief Financial Officer, 2022
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$204K (2021) → $233K (2025)
Tiffany Gusbeth
Vice President Student Success Services
Vice President Student Success Services → Vice President Student Success Service, 2024
Vice President Student Success Service → Vice President Student Success Services, 2025
On filings since 2023
40 hrs/week
$132K (2023) → $192K (2025)
Twyla Baker
1st Vice Chair
Trustee → 1st Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Duane Bedell
2nd Vice Chair
Trustee → 2nd Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (16)
- Former: Angela Denine Torr (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Cynthia Lindquist (2021–2024) — 1st Vice Chair
- Former: Justin Guillory (2021–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Michael Purvis (2021–2024) — Trustee & Member at Large
- Former: Sandra Boham (2021–2024) — 2nd Vice Chair
- Former: Stephanie Miller (2021–2024) — Trustee-
- Former: Haven Gourneau (2022–2024) — Trustee
- Former: Carla Sineway (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: David E. Yarlott Jr. (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Lynn Dee Rapp (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Dina Horwedel (2021–2022) — Director of Public Executive Director
- Former: Tom Brooks (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Dennis Worden (2022) — Trustee
- Former: Cameron Geiger (2021) — Trustee & Resource Development
- Former: Meredi Vaughan (2021) — Trustee
- Former: Ted Rollins (2021) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $370K, to Cheryl Crazy Bull (President/Chief Executive Officer). 8 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about American Indian College Fund
How much does American Indian College Fund give each year?
American Indian College Fund gave $13.9M across 38 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $17.7M across 41 grants.
What is American Indian College Fund's typical grant size?
American Indian College Fund's median grant in 2025 was $382,754, and its average grant was $365,465, across 38 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Where does American Indian College Fund give grants?
American Indian College Fund's top state is Montana, with 19% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990. The next largest states were North Dakota (19%) and Michigan (11%). The most frequent recipient cities were Albuquerque, NM (4 grants).
Does American Indian College Fund give general operating support?
Yes: 92% of American Indian College Fund's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (35 of 38) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Project Support" (3 grants).
Who are American Indian College Fund's largest grantees?
American Indian College Fund's largest 2025 grantees include Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College ($634,551), Turtle Mountain Community College ($631,482) and Sinte Gleska University ($618,432), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 14% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is American Indian College Fund?
American Indian College Fund reported $215.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $66.5M.
What does American Indian College Fund fund?
The College Fund’s mission is to invest in Native students and tribal college education to transform lives and communities. Its work includes student scholarships and programs, public education, and support for tribal colleges and universities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from American Indian College Fund?
American Indian College Fund has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check collegefund.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is American Indian College Fund's EIN?
American Indian College Fund's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 52-1573446. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS October 29, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 1, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 1, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS October 30, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 3, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in American Indian College Fund's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). American Indian College Fund funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/american-indian-college-fund-morg_f45f1133943045fda7357ec4e874d476
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_521573446_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{American Indian College Fund funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/american-indian-college-fund-morg_f45f1133943045fda7357ec4e874d476},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from American Indian College Fund's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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